Shaping an Industry: Past, Present, and Future
Since its beginning in 1976, Interval International has grown to become a worldwide leader and innovator in the vacation ownership industry. The company offers resort developer clients outstanding sales, marketing, and operations-support services, and provides its members with a variety of benefits, including the ability to trade their home week or points for time at resorts in more than 3,000 resorts in sought-after destinations around the world.
1976 | THE EVOLUTION BEGINS
Three employees, one resort, and shoeboxes of index cards form the first incarnation of Interval International®.
1978 | IT’S CATCHING ON …
Consumer membership triples to 30,000, with 130 member resorts.
1980 | AND ON …
An IBM computer system and toll-free telephone lines are installed at Interval. Consumer membership increases to 80,000, with 250 resorts.
1981 | TRAVEL AGENCY OPENS
To serve the extensive travel needs of the growing member base, Interval World Travel, known today as Interval Travel®, is established.
1982 | QUALITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
The Interval International Five Star Award®, the industry’s first quality-recognition program, is created.
1984 | THE BIG 5-0-0
Member resort number 500 is affiliated, and Inc. magazine selects Interval as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S.
1985 | QUALITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME, PART II
Membership increases to 225,000. Interval develops a Quality Rating System for its exclusive use. A refined version of this system is still used today to measure and maintain the excellence of Interval’s resort network.
1987 | RAISING THE BAR
Interval introduces WorldCard Preferred, the predecessor of today’s Interval Gold®, and becomes the first exchange company to offer an enhanced membership program.
1988 | DUAL EXCHANGE DEBUTS
Dual Exchange, with the Deposit First and Request First methods of vacation exchange, is successfully implemented, giving members more options and flexibility.
1989 | WORLDWIDE OFFICES
Interval begins an ongoing major expansion that will continue for years to come, opening offices throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America, to best serve consumer members and resort clients.
1991 | AND A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Interval launches Worldex Travel Club (now Leisure Time Passport®), the industry’s first product for nonbuyers.
1995 | FIRST ONLINE
Interval becomes the first major vacation exchange service to establish a presence on the Internet.
1998 | INVESTMENT CONFERENCES DEBUT
Interval spearheads an annual investment seminar, now known as the Shared Ownership Investment Conference®.
1999 | OVER 1 MILLION SERVED
Interval welcomes its millionth member. Interval Preferred members can take to the seas with the exciting new cruise exchange service, and all members can now book Getaways online.
2000 | A NEW MILLENNIUM
Interval introduces real-time online services for booking air travel, hotel reservations, and car rentals.
2001 | SILVER ANNIVERSARY
Interval celebrates 25 years of exemplary service. The company launches online exchange, making depositing a week, requesting an exchange, and checking the status of an exchange as simple as the click of a mouse.
2002 | NEW OWNERSHIP, NEW BENEFITS
Interval is purchased by USA Interactive. Interval Preferred relaunches as Interval Gold, which introduces Interval Options®— an expansion of cruise exchange that includes golf, spa, and, later, tour vacations.
2005 | A STRONGER WEB
Interval relaunches its member website, IntervalWorld.com, with enhanced functionality.
2007 | THE BEST IS ALWAYS RECOGNIZED
Interval creates the Preferred ResidencesSM® branded membership and exchange program for luxury shared-ownership resorts. The new Resort Recognition program debuts.
2008 | GOING PUBLIC
Interval’s parent, Interval Leisure Group, becomes a public company, and begins trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Dream Vacation Week certificate program is launched to help generate resort tours.
2009 | BRIGHT IDEAS
Interval implements ShortStay Exchange®. And on IntervalWorld.com, Interval Insights and Interval Ideas are introduced.
2010 | APPS, BLOGS, GOLD, AND MORE
Interval rolls out: smartphone and iPad apps for searches of the Resort Directory; online Community; and Club Interval Gold®, a points-based exchange membership for owners of fixed- or floating-week timeshares.
2011 | INTERVAL TURNS 35!
Interval celebrates 35 years and introduces Interval Platinum®, an enhanced membership level for discerning travelers.
2012 | INTERVAL HDInterval HD, an online video channel featuring destination and resort videos, debuts as a dynamic vacation-planning tool.
2013 | NEXT GENERATION OF TECH TOOLS
The Interval Sales Tool Kit (STK) app is launched, featuring the interactive Exchange Tracker, Interval HD video library, and online Resort Directory. The enhanced Interval app allows members to transact on the go.
2014 | GLOBAL APPEAL
Interval introduces The Globe, a three-dimensional, responsive feature of the STK app.
2015 | TRAVEL PLANNING EVEN BETTER
Interval debuts its Travel Planner, including more than 100 eye-catching destination features with tips on essential activities, daytrips, and advice from fellow members. The Resort Recognition program expands with the Elite Resorts tier.
2016 | 40 YEARS PROUD!
Interval celebrates 40 years as The Quality Vacation Exchange Network®, providing memorable vacations to members around the world. The company also introduces an exciting lineup of unique VIP travel and leisure experiences for upgraded members.
2017 | WIDENING THE WORLD
Interval introduces hotel exchange for upgraded members, making a broad selection of quality hotels and resorts available in destinations around the world, including New York City, Chicago, London, and Paris.
2018 | LEADERS COMBINE
Interval® parent company, ILG Inc., is acquired by Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation.
2021 | 45 AND COUNTING
Interval marks 45 years of industry innovation and customer service excellence.The company continues to meet members' changing travel needs with Getaways of less than seven nights.
