Biggest changeThe expected results of the transaction and the future prospects for and plans of our company more broadly, including our strategies to accelerate growth of our global businesses through the addition of new vacation ownership brands and growing our travel clubs, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and may not be achieved in the time or at the level we expect, or at all. 17 Table of Contents Our efforts to establish and grow our travel clubs businesses and add brands to our existing portfolio of vacation ownership brands, such as through the planned launch of a network of sports-themed resorts and lifestyle resorts under the Sports Illustrated Resorts brand and the acquisition of Accor Vacation Club, subject us to greater risks and uncertainties than those historically considered for our core timeshare and exchange businesses.
Biggest changeThe expected results of the transaction and the future prospects for and plans of our company more broadly, including our strategies to accelerate growth of our global businesses through the addition of new vacation ownership brands and growing our travel clubs, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and may not be achieved in the time or at the level we expect, or at all.
If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our businesses and brands or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brands and businesses, we may fail to attract or retain customers to the extent necessary to realize a sufficient return with respect to the acquisition, our branding efforts and our businesses, which would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brands and businesses or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brands and businesses, we may fail to attract or retain customers to the extent necessary to realize a sufficient return with respect to the acquisition, our branding efforts and our businesses, which would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, whether resulting from climate change or other factors, such as increased frequency and severity of hurricanes, storms and floods, coastal erosion and flooding due to higher sea levels, increased temperatures, increased wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, drought, volcanic eruptions and other factors, have in the past adversely impacted, and in the future will likely continue to adversely impact, the accessibility or desirability of travel to certain locations, including those areas where we or our affiliated resort owners have existing properties or may develop resort properties in the future.
Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, whether resulting from climate change or other factors, such as increased frequency and severity of hurricanes, storms and floods, coastal erosion and flooding due to higher sea levels, increased temperatures, increased wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, drought, volcanic eruptions and other factors, have in the past adversely impacted, and in the future will likely continue to adversely impact, the accessibility or desirability of travel to certain locations, including those areas where we or our affiliated resort owners have existing resort properties or may develop resort properties in the future.
In addition, any such cyber-attacks could persist for an extended period of time without detection, which could likely have a material adverse effect on our brands, reputation, customer confidence in us, business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant regulatory actions and fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities.
In addition, any such cyber-attacks could persist for an extended period of time without detection, which could likely have a material adverse effect on our brands, reputation, customer confidence, business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant regulatory actions and fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities.
Our business is subject to numerous business, financial, operating and other risks common to the timeshare industry and the leisure travel industry more broadly, such as adverse changes with respect to any of the following: • consumer travel and vacation patterns and consumer preferences; • increased or unanticipated operating costs, including as a result of recent inflationary pressures, and which may not be offset on a timely basis, or at all, by our ability or actions to increase our product pricing or maintenance fees; • increased energy costs, labor shortages and increased labor costs as well as increases in minimum wage and health-care related costs, which may not be fully offset by price or fee increases in our business or otherwise; • product and supply chain disruptions; • desirability of geographic regions where resorts in or affiliated with our businesses are located; • the supply and demand for exchange services and products, and travel subscription services and products; • our ability to accurately plan for, predict, and satisfy future timeshare inventory needs, including through development of new properties, and optimally manage the amount of developer owned inventory we hold for sale, which has been and may in the future be adversely impacted by events and occurrences that affect vacation ownership tours and VOI sales, such as COVID-19 or other pandemics or health-related concerns; • our ability to continue to attract customers for VOI purchases and upgrades at the levels we expect; • our ability to operate our managed resorts and conduct tours of our properties; • seasonality in our businesses, which may cause fluctuations in our operating results; • the availability of acceptable financing and the cost of capital as they apply to us, our customers, our RCI affiliates and other developers of vacation ownership resorts and timeshare property owner associations; • the quality of the services provided by affiliated resorts and properties in our exchange business or resorts in which we sell VOIs or by participants in the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program, which may adversely affect our image, reputation and brand value; • success of any actions we may take to increase our exchange membership levels; • our ability to develop and maintain relationships with marketing partners, including our Blue Thread marketing relationship with Wyndham Hotels; 19 Table of Contents • market perception of the timeshare industry and our ability to effectively respond to any reputational or brand issues that may arise from negative publicity from social media postings or media reports, which could damage our brands; • our ability to develop and maintain positive relations and contractual arrangements with VOI owners, current and potential vacation exchange members, resorts with units that are exchanged through our exchange business and timeshare property owner associations; • organized labor activities and associated litigation; • adverse economic factors impacting the financial health of customers, which has impaired and could continue to impair our ability to collect outstanding fees or other amounts due or otherwise exercise our contractual rights; • our effectiveness in keeping pace with technological developments as well as any failure to timely upgrade our technology infrastructure and efficiently manage upgrade projects to achieve our strategic planning expectations and to meet changing customer preferences and customer interfacing needs; • our effectiveness with positive messaging, through social media platforms, our brand and our timeshare resorts and those resorts with which our exchange members may exchange vacation interests, and our ability to effectively respond to any negative messaging or comments on social media; • our ability to effectively use data to achieve market intelligence and develop, manage and grow our core operations and strategic initiatives using such data and market intelligence; • our ability to offer acceptable customer pricing for products and services, including in a time of economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs; • our ability to identify, obtain, train and retain industry specific talent (including digital, sales, marketing, and operational leadership skills) to execute our growth strategy and to address customer satisfaction; • disruptions, including non-renewal or termination of agreements, in relationships with third parties (including marketing alliances, loyalty programs and other affiliations with third parties, including Wyndham Hotels); • owners or other developers that have advance notes with us, or who have received loans or other financial arrangements incentives from us, who have experienced and may continue to experience financial difficulties; • decrease in the supply of available exchange accommodations due to, among other reasons, a decrease in inventory included in the system (including as a result of extreme weather events such as have occurred in our geographic markets in recent years, ongoing property renovations or a decrease in member deposits) could adversely affect our exchange business; • the viability of property owners’ associations and the maintenance and refurbishment of vacation ownership properties that we manage, which depend on property owners’ associations levying sufficient maintenance fees and the ability of members to pay such maintenance fees, particularly in times of economic downturn; • decrease in or delays or cancellations of planned or future development or refurbishment projects, whether due to budgetary constraints of property owners’ associations or otherwise, and the complexity with regard to removing properties from timeshare regimes when they can no longer be sustainably maintained; • increases in maintenance fees, which could cause our product to become less attractive or less competitive; • the level of unlawful or deceptive third-party VOI resale schemes, which could damage our reputation and brand value; • the cost to develop vacation ownership properties and difficulties associated with obtaining required approvals in connection with development, liability under state and local laws with respect to any construction defects in the vacation ownership properties we develop, and risks related to real estate project development costs and completion; • private resale of VOIs and the sale of VOIs on the secondary market, which could adversely affect our vacation ownership resorts, the prices at which we sell VOIs, and our exchange business; • disputes with owners of VOIs, property owners’ associations, and vacation exchange affiliation partners, which may result in litigation and the loss of management contracts; • laws, regulations and legislation internationally and domestically, and on a federal, state or local level, concerning the leisure travel industry, which may make the operation of our business more onerous, more expensive or less profitable; • our failure or inability to adequately protect and maintain our trademarks and other intellectual property rights; and • consumers increased use of third-party internet travel intermediaries and peer-to-peer online networks to search for and book their lodging accommodations, which could adversely affect our vacation ownership and vacation exchange brands, travel clubs and travel subscription businesses, reservation systems, bookings and rates.
We are subject to numerous business, financial, operating and other risks common to the timeshare industry and the leisure travel industry more broadly, such as adverse changes with respect to any of the following: • consumer travel and vacation patterns and consumer preferences; • increased or unanticipated operating costs, including as a result of recent inflationary pressures, and which may not be offset on a timely basis, or at all, by our ability or actions to increase our product pricing or maintenance fees; • increased energy costs, labor shortages and increased labor costs as well as increases in minimum wage and health-care related costs, which may not be fully offset by price or fee increases in our business or otherwise; • product and supply chain disruptions; • desirability or continued desirability of geographic regions where resorts in or affiliated with our businesses are located; 19 Table of Contents • the supply and demand for exchange services and products, and travel subscription services and products; • our ability to accurately plan for, predict, and satisfy future timeshare inventory needs, including through development of new properties, and optimally manage the amount of developer owned inventory we hold for sale, which has been and may in the future be adversely impacted by events and occurrences that affect vacation ownership tours and VOI sales, such as COVID-19 or other pandemics or health-related concerns; • our ability to continue to attract customers for VOI purchases and upgrades at the levels we expect; • our ability to operate our managed resorts and to conduct tours of our properties at the levels we have in the past; • seasonality in our businesses, which may cause fluctuations in our operating results; • the availability of acceptable financing and the cost of capital as they apply to us, our customers, our RCI affiliates and other developers of vacation ownership resorts and timeshare property owner associations; • the quality of the services provided by affiliated resorts and properties in our exchange business or resorts in which we sell VOIs or by participants in the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program, which may adversely affect our image, reputation and brand value; • success of any actions we may take to increase our exchange membership levels; • our ability to develop and maintain relationships with marketing partners, including our Blue Thread marketing relationship with Wyndham Hotels; • market perception of the timeshare industry and our ability to effectively respond to any reputational or brand issues that may arise from negative publicity from social media postings or media reports, which could damage our brands; • our ability to develop and maintain positive relations and contractual arrangements with VOI owners, current and potential vacation exchange members, resorts with units that are exchanged through our exchange business and timeshare property owner associations; • organized labor activities and associated litigation; • adverse economic factors impacting the financial health of customers, which has impaired and could continue to impair our ability to collect outstanding fees or other amounts due or otherwise exercise our contractual rights; • our effectiveness in keeping pace with technological developments as well as any failure to timely upgrade our technology infrastructure and efficiently manage upgrade projects to achieve our strategic planning expectations and to meet changing customer preferences and customer interfacing needs; • our effectiveness with positive messaging, through social media platforms, our brand and our timeshare resorts and those resorts with which our exchange members may exchange vacation interests, and our ability to effectively respond to any negative messaging or comments on social media; • our ability to effectively use data to achieve market intelligence and develop, manage and grow our core operations and strategic initiatives using such data and market intelligence; • our ability to offer acceptable customer pricing for products and services, including in a time of economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs; • our ability to identify, obtain, train and retain industry specific talent (including digital, sales, marketing, and operational leadership skills) to execute our growth strategy and to address customer satisfaction; • disruptions, including non-renewal or termination of agreements, in relationships with third parties (including marketing alliances, loyalty programs and other affiliations with third parties, including Wyndham Hotels); • owners or other developers that have advance notes with us, or who have received loans or other financial arrangements incentives from us, who have experienced and may continue to experience financial difficulties; • a decrease in the supply of available exchange accommodations due to, among other reasons, a decrease in inventory included in the system (including as a result of extreme weather events such as have occurred in our geographic markets in recent years, ongoing property renovations or a decrease in member deposits) which could adversely affect our exchange business; • the viability of property owners’ associations and the maintenance and refurbishment of vacation ownership properties that we manage, which depend on property owners’ associations levying sufficient maintenance fees and the ability of members to pay such maintenance fees, particularly in times of economic downturn; • decrease in or delays or cancellations of planned or future development or refurbishment projects, whether due to budgetary constraints of property owners’ associations or otherwise, and the complexity with regard to removing properties from timeshare regimes when they can no longer be sustainably maintained; • increases in maintenance fees, which could cause our product to become less attractive or less competitive; 20 Table of Contents • the level of unlawful or deceptive third-party VOI resale schemes, which could damage our reputation and brand value; • the cost to develop vacation ownership properties and difficulties associated with obtaining required approvals in connection with development, liability under state and local laws with respect to any construction defects in the vacation ownership properties we develop, and risks related to real estate project development costs and completion; • private resale of VOIs and the sale of VOIs on the secondary market, which could adversely affect our vacation ownership resorts, the prices at which we sell VOIs, and our exchange business; • disputes with owners of VOIs, property owners’ associations, and vacation exchange affiliation partners, which may result in litigation and the loss of management contracts; • laws, regulations and legislation internationally and domestically, and on a federal, state or local level, concerning the leisure travel industry, which may make the operation of our business more onerous, more expensive or less profitable; • our failure or inability to adequately protect and maintain our trademarks and other intellectual property rights; and • consumers increased use of third-party internet travel intermediaries and peer-to-peer online networks to search for and book their lodging accommodations, which could adversely affect our vacation ownership and vacation exchange brands, travel clubs and travel subscription businesses, reservation systems, bookings and rates.
Our revenues are highly dependent on the health of the travel industry and declines in or disruptions to the travel industry such as those caused by economic conditions, terrorism or acts of gun violence, political strife, severe weather events and other natural disasters, war, and pandemics may adversely affect us.
Our revenues are highly dependent on the health of the travel industry and declines in or disruptions to the travel industry such as those caused by economic conditions, terrorism or acts of violence, political strife, severe weather events and other natural disasters, war, and pandemics may adversely affect us.
Our RCI exchange business depends on vacation ownership developers for new members and on existing members and participants renewing their memberships with us and engaging in exchange and travel club transactions.
Our RCI exchange business primarily depends on vacation ownership developers for new members and on existing members and participants renewing their memberships with us and engaging in exchange and travel club transactions.
In connection with 23 Table of Contents our debt obligations, hedging transactions, securitization of certain of our assets, surety bond requirements, the cost and availability of capital and the extension of credit by us, we are subject to numerous risks, including: • the interest rates being charged on recently issued and floating rate corporate debt and securitized debt have increased significantly beginning in 2022 and higher interest costs on our debt may continue in the future, and although rates have fallen from their peak in 2023, we have not been able to and in the future likely will not be able to pass along the full amount of such costs to purchasers of VOIs to whom we provide financing; • our cash flows from operations or available lines of credit may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, which could result in a default and acceleration of the underlying debt and other debt instruments that contain cross-default provisions; • we may be unable to comply with the terms of the financial covenants under our revolving credit facility or other debt agreements, including a breach of the financial ratio tests, which could result in a default and acceleration of the underlying debt and under other debt and financial instruments that contain cross-default provisions; • our leverage may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all; • our leverage requires the dedication of a significant portion of our cash flows to the payment of principal and interest thus reducing the availability of cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other operating needs and capital uses; • negative ratings and/or downgrades of our debt by rating agencies have in the past increased interest rates on some of our debt instruments and if they recur in the future would likely increase our borrowing costs and could prevent us from obtaining additional financing on favorable terms or at all; • failure or non-performance of counterparties to foreign exchange and interest rate hedging transactions could result in losses; • an inability to securitize our vacation ownership loan receivables on terms acceptable to us or at all because of, among other factors, the performance of the vacation ownership loan receivables, adverse conditions in the market for vacation ownership loan-backed notes and asset-backed notes in general, and the risk that the actual amount of uncollectible accounts on our securitized vacation ownership loan receivables and other credit we extend is greater than expected; • our liquidity, as it relates to our vacation ownership contract receivables (“VOCRs”) securitization program, could be adversely affected if we were to fail to renew or replace our conduit facilities on their expiration dates, or if a particular receivables pool were to fail to meet certain ratios, which could occur in certain instances if the default rates or other credit metrics of the underlying VOCRs deteriorate.
In connection with our debt obligations, hedging transactions, securitization of certain of our assets, surety bond requirements, the cost and availability of capital and the extension of credit by us, we are subject to numerous risks, including: • the interest rates, inclusive of benchmark rates and spread premium, being charged on floating rate corporate debt and securitized debt had increased significantly beginning in 2022 and higher interest costs on our debt may recur or continue in the future, and although rates have fallen from their peak in 2023, we have not been able to and in the future likely will not be able to pass along the full amount of such costs to purchasers of VOIs to whom we provide financing; • our cash flows from operations or available lines of credit may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, which could result in a default and acceleration of the underlying debt and other debt instruments that contain cross-default provisions; • we may be unable to comply with the terms of the financial covenants under our revolving credit facility or other debt agreements, including a breach of the financial ratio tests, which could result in a default and acceleration of the underlying debt (and under other debt and financial instruments that contain cross-default provisions) as well as increase the cost of that debt; • our leverage may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all; • our leverage requires the dedication of a significant portion of our cash flows to the payment of principal and interest thus reducing the availability of cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other operating needs and capital uses; • negative ratings and/or downgrades of our debt by rating agencies have in the past increased interest rates on some of our debt instruments and if they recur in the future would likely increase our borrowing costs and could prevent us from obtaining additional financing on favorable terms or at all; • failure or non-performance of counterparties to foreign exchange and interest rate hedging transactions could result in losses; • an inability to securitize our vacation ownership loan receivables on terms acceptable to us or at all because of, among other factors, the performance of the vacation ownership loan receivables, adverse conditions in the market for vacation ownership loan-backed notes and asset-backed notes in general, and the risk that the actual amount of uncollectible accounts on our securitized vacation ownership loan receivables and other credit we extend is greater than expected; 24 Table of Contents • our liquidity, as it relates to our vacation ownership contract receivables (“VOCRs”) securitization program, could be adversely affected if we were to fail to renew or replace our conduit facilities on their expiration dates, or if a particular receivables pool were to fail to meet certain ratios, which could occur in certain instances if the default rates or other credit metrics of the underlying VOCRs deteriorate.
The trading price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including our quarterly or annual earnings or earnings outlook or those of other companies in our industry; customer acceptance and success of our strategic growth initiatives; actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to seasonality, economic conditions, including increased inflation and higher interest rates, and other factors related to our business; our credit ratings; announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions; lower than expected earnings or revenues or outlook for such financial measures, changes in earnings or revenues estimates by us or by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates; the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies; and overall market fluctuations.
The trading price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including our quarterly or annual earnings or earnings outlook or those of other companies in our industry; customer acceptance and success of our strategic growth initiatives; actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to seasonality, economic conditions, including increased inflation, tariffs and interest rate fluctuations, and other factors related to our business; our credit ratings; announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions; lower than expected earnings or revenues or outlook for such financial measures, changes in earnings or revenues estimates by us or by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates; the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies; and overall market fluctuations.
While we maintain what we believe are reasonable security controls over personal and proprietary information (including the personal information of customers, shareholders, and employees), and our information technology staff regularly assesses and identifies vulnerabilities in our information technology and cybersecurity systems and controls, breaches of or breakdowns in our systems that result in the theft, loss, access to, fraudulent use or other unauthorized release of personal, confidential or other proprietary information, source code information, or other data have occurred in the past and may occur in the future.
While we maintain what we believe are reasonable security controls over personal and proprietary information (including the personal information of customers, shareholders, and employees), and our information technology staff regularly assesses and seeks to identify vulnerabilities in our information technology and cybersecurity systems and controls, breaches of or breakdowns in our systems that result in the theft, loss, access to, fraudulent use or other unauthorized release of personal, confidential or other proprietary information, source code information, or other data have occurred in the past and may occur in the future.
See Note 27— Transactions with Former Parent and Former Subsidiaries to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our obligations related to Wyndham Hotels. If Wyndham Hotels were to default on its obligations, we would be required to pay the amounts in default.
See Note 26— Transactions with Former Parent and Former Subsidiaries to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our obligations related to Wyndham Hotels. If Wyndham Hotels were to default on its obligations, we would be required to pay the amounts in default.
We are subject to attack by cyber-criminals (including nation state-sponsored or nation state-supported organizations, terrorist organizations, criminal enterprises and other actors) operating 21 Table of Contents on a global basis attempting to gain access to such information as well as our source code information, and the integrity and protection of that customer, shareholder, and employee data and proprietary information is critical to us.
We are subject to attack by cyber-criminals (including nation state-sponsored or nation state-supported organizations, terrorist organizations, criminal enterprises and other actors) operating on a global basis attempting to gain access to such information as well as our source code information, and the integrity and protection of that customer, shareholder, and employee data and proprietary information is critical to us.
We are subject to risks related to environmental, social and governance activities. Many factors influence our reputation and the value of our brands, including the perception held by our customers and other key stakeholders and the communities in which we do business.
We are subject to risks related to environmental, social and governance activities. Many factors influence our reputation and the value of our brands, including the perceptions held by our customers, other key stakeholders and the communities in which we do business related to our environmental, social and governance activities.
Promotion activities associated with our businesses may not yield increased revenue in the time or levels expected, and even if revenue does increase, it may not be sufficient to offset the expenses we incur in building our brands and businesses.
Promotional activities associated with our businesses may not yield increased revenue in the time or levels expected, and even if revenue does increase, it may not be sufficient to offset the expenses we incur in building our brands and businesses.
There are a great number of existing competitive travel services, some of which have significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we have, and while the market is currently fragmented, existing travel service companies as well as new entrants may adversely impact our ability to achieve the level of revenues, transactions, and profitability we expect.
There are a 16 Table of Contents great number of existing competitive travel services, some of which have significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we have, and while the market is currently fragmented, existing travel service companies as well as new entrants may adversely impact our ability to achieve the level of revenues, transactions, and profitability we expect.
Additionally, we currently have a hybrid work environment in which many corporate associates work both in the office and remotely on an ongoing basis. The increase in the number of our associates working remotely has increased certain risks to our business, including increased demand on our information technology resources and systems, and greater potential for phishing and other cybersecurity attacks.
Additionally, we currently have a hybrid work environment in which many corporate associates work both in the office and remotely on an ongoing basis. 22 Table of Contents The increase in the number of our associates working remotely has increased certain risks to our business, including increased demand on our information technology resources and systems, and greater potential for phishing and other cybersecurity attacks.
These effects on our exchange business are more pronounced as the proportion of corporate member relationships, where the developer renews RCI membership fees for all of its active owners, increases. The loss or renegotiation on less favorable terms of several of our largest affiliation agreements could materially impact our financial condition and results of operations.
These effects on our exchange business are more pronounced as the proportion of corporate member relationships has increased, where the developer renews RCI membership fees for all of its active owners. The loss or renegotiation on less favorable terms of several of our largest affiliation agreements could materially impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Additional costs are incurred in connection with the resale of repossessed VOIs, and the value we recover in a resale is not in all instances sufficient to cover the outstanding debt on the defaulted loan. During 2020, in response to COVID-19, we substantially increased our loan loss allowance on our vacation ownership receivables portfolio.
Additional costs are incurred in connection with the resale of repossessed VOIs, and the value we recover in a resale is not in all instances sufficient to cover the outstanding debt on the defaulted loan. During 2020, in response to COVID-19, we substantially increased our loan loss allowance on our vacation 21 Table of Contents ownership receivables portfolio.
However, future fines, penalties or other remedies that regulators might seek to impose could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The insurance we carry may not always pay, or be sufficient to pay or reimburse us, for our liabilities, losses or replacement costs.
However, future fines, penalties or other remedies that regulators might seek to impose could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. 26 Table of Contents The insurance we carry may not always pay, or be sufficient to pay or reimburse us, for our liabilities, losses or replacement costs.
We also have successfully utilized and leveraged our relationship with Wyndham Hotels’ loyalty program, which we refer to as Blue Thread, and any cessation of or adverse change in that loyalty program could be expected to materially adversely impact our business, growth strategy and financial results.
We also have successfully utilized and leveraged our relationship with Wyndham Hotels’ loyalty program, which we refer to as Blue Thread, and any cessation of or adverse change in that loyalty program could be expected to materially adversely impact our 27 Table of Contents business, growth strategy and financial results.
Further, any changes to laws or regulations, including new restrictions or requirements applicable to our business, or an increase in enforcement of existing laws and regulations, such as restricting use or sharing of consumer data, including for marketing or advertising or limiting the use of, limiting our ability to provide certain consumer data to our customers, or otherwise regulating artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (including the use of algorithms and automated processing), could expose us to additional costs and liability.
Further, any changes to laws or regulations, including new restrictions or requirements applicable to our business, or an increase in enforcement of existing laws and regulations, such as restricting use or sharing of consumer data, including for marketing or advertising or limiting the use of, limiting our ability to provide certain consumer data to our customers, or otherwise regulating AI and machine learning (including the use of algorithms and automated processing), could expose us to additional costs and liability.
Our information technology infrastructure (including our, and our third-party service providers’, information systems and legacy proprietary online reservation and management systems) has been and will likely continue to be vulnerable to system failures such as server malfunction or software or hardware failures, computer hacking, phishing attacks, user error, cyber-terrorism, loss of data, computer viruses, ransomware and malware installation, and other intentional or unintentional interference, negligence, fraud, misuse and other unauthorized attempts to access or interfere with these systems and our personal and proprietary information.
Our information technology infrastructure (including our, and our third-party service providers’, information systems and legacy proprietary online reservation and management systems) has been and will likely continue to be vulnerable to system failures such as server malfunction or software or hardware failures, computer hacking, phishing attacks, user error, cyber-terrorism, loss of data, computer viruses, ransomware and malware installation, deepfake technology, and other intentional or unintentional interference, negligence, fraud, misuse and other unauthorized attempts to access or interfere with these systems, including through the use of AI technology, and our personal and proprietary information.
Wyndham Worldwide and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. generally were responsible for 37.5% and 62.5% of certain of ABG’s contingent and other corporate liabilities and associated costs, including certain contingent and other corporate liabilities of ABG or its subsidiaries to the extent incurred on or prior to August 23, 2006.
Wyndham Worldwide and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. generally were responsible for 37.5% and 62.5% of certain of ABG’s contingent and other corporate liabilities and associated costs, including certain contingent and other corporate liabilities of ABG or its subsidiaries 25 Table of Contents to the extent incurred on or prior to August 23, 2006.
In addition, as we pursue new initiatives that are designed to improve our operations and cost structure, the expansion and implementation of new technologies and systems (including our increasing use, and the likely increasing use by our third-party service providers, of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies) carries significant potential risks, including failure to operate as designed, potential loss of or corruption of information, changes in security processes, implementation delays, and disruption of operations.
In addition, as we pursue new initiatives that are designed to improve our operations and cost structure, the expansion and implementation of new technologies and systems (including our increasing use, and the likely increasing use by our third-party service providers, of AI technologies carries significant potential risks, including failure to operate as designed, potential loss of or corruption of information, changes in security processes, implementation delays, and disruption of operations.
Properties in these areas have in the past closed, and may in the future close, due to such extreme weather events and such closures have been, and in the future may be, extended for prolonged periods following such weather events while major damage is remedied and/or major renovations are undertaken and completed, whether to the resort properties themselves or to the surrounding infrastructure which supports such areas.
Properties in these areas have in the past closed, and may in the future close, due to such extreme weather events and such closures have been, and in the future may be, extended for prolonged 17 Table of Contents periods following such weather events while major damage is remedied and/or major renovations are undertaken and completed, whether to the resort properties themselves or to the surrounding infrastructure which supports such areas.
Our success in these leisure travel clubs is also dependent upon our ability to efficiently customize our travel offerings to particular areas of interest and focus on the groups to 16 Table of Contents which we market and promote our services and offerings.
Our success in these leisure travel clubs is also dependent upon our ability to efficiently customize our travel offerings to particular areas of interest and focus on the groups to which we market and promote our services and offerings.
A natural disaster, cyberattack, disruption or other impairment in our technology capabilities and service facilities (including IT systems, data centers and backup systems, or those of our third-party service providers) could result in denial or interruption of service, significant investment in resources to restore and remedy such systems, prolonged outages and interruption, financial losses, customer claims, litigation or damage to our reputation, or otherwise harm our business and financial results.
A natural disaster, cyberattack, disruption or other impairment in our technology capabilities and service facilities (including information technology systems, data centers and backup systems, or those of our third-party service providers) could result in denial or interruption of service, significant investment in resources to restore and remedy such systems, 23 Table of Contents prolonged outages and interruption, financial losses, customer claims, litigation or damage to our reputation, or otherwise harm our business and financial results.
Although we have since increased our dividend and resumed our share repurchase program, we cannot provide assurance that our Board will not need to consider limitations, reductions or other restrictions on share repurchases and dividends in the future. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None.
Although we have since increased our dividend and resumed our share repurchase program, we 28 Table of Contents cannot provide assurance that our Board will not need to consider limitations, reductions or other restrictions on share repurchases and dividends in the future. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None.
Any of these factors could increase our costs, reduce our revenues and profitability and otherwise adversely impact our opportunities for growth. 20 Table of Contents Our international operations are subject to additional risks not generally applicable to our domestic operations.
Any of these factors could increase our costs, reduce our revenues and profitability and otherwise adversely impact our opportunities for growth. Our international operations are subject to additional risks not generally applicable to our domestic operations.
In addition, a portion of the value associated with the Travel + Leisure brand is derived from the long-standing commitment to high-quality, independent travel journalism by Travel + Leisure magazine and associated media properties, which continue to be operated by Dotdash Meredith outside of our control.
In addition, a portion of the value associated with the Travel + Leisure brand is derived from the long-standing commitment to high-quality, independent travel journalism by Travel + Leisure magazine and associated media properties, which continue to be operated by People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith and Meredith Corporation) outside of our control.
We believe these provisions protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board and by providing our Board with 27 Table of Contents more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers.
We believe these provisions protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board and by providing our Board with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers.
Our success here is also dependent upon our ongoing ability to successfully adjust and restructure our business models, which we have been undertaking to meet changing conditions and customer requirements compared to those we had originally anticipated and planned for.
Our success here is also dependent upon our ongoing ability to successfully adjust and restructure our business models, including seeking to lower our costs, which we have been undertaking to meet changing conditions and customer requirements compared to those we had originally anticipated and planned for.
Data breaches and other serious cyber incidents have increased globally, along with the sophistication of the methods and techniques of the intrusions and complexity of the attacks, including use of viruses, ransomware and other malicious software, phishing and other ever-evolving efforts to discover and exploit any design flaws, bugs or other security vulnerabilities.
Data breaches and other serious cyber incidents have increased globally, along with the sophistication of the methods and techniques of the intrusions and complexity of the attacks, including use of viruses, ransomware and other malicious software, phishing, deepfake technology, artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology, and other ever-evolving efforts to discover and exploit any design flaws, bugs or other security vulnerabilities.
Risks affecting the travel industry can be localized events or global in nature and may adversely impact decisions by consumers to use and consume travel services and products, including economic factors such as economic slowdown and recession; increased cost of living and reduced discretionary income (including due to recent and potential future inflationary pressures and higher borrowing costs) and potential for increased unemployment rates; terrorist incidents and threats and associated heightened travel security measures; acts of gun violence or threats thereof; war, other hostilities and political and regional strife (including the risk that the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia or the conflicts in the Middle East expand in a manner that significantly impacts our business and operations); extreme weather conditions and natural disasters; the associated economic disruption due to concerns with high rates of infection, pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related increased governmental regulations or restrictions on and recommendations and warnings against travel in certain regions; lengthy power outages; increased pricing, financial instability and capacity constraints of air carriers; airline job actions and strikes; and potential for increases in gasoline and other fuel prices such as experienced in 2022.
Risks affecting the travel industry can be localized events or global in nature and may adversely impact decisions by consumers to use and consume travel services and products and may include economic factors such as economic slowdown and recession; increased cost of living and reduced discretionary income (including due to recent and potential future inflationary pressures, tariffs, higher borrowing costs and foreign exchange rates) and potential for increased unemployment rates; terrorist incidents and threats and associated heightened travel security measures; acts of violence or threats thereof; war, other hostilities and political and regional strife (including the risk that the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia or the conflicts in the Middle East expand in a manner that significantly impacts our business and operations); extreme weather conditions and natural disasters; the associated economic disruption due to concerns with high rates of infection, pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related increased governmental regulations or restrictions on and recommendations and warnings against travel in certain regions; changes in travel preferences arising from adverse changes in the diplomatic relations of foreign countries with the U.S. and heightened U.S. immigration enforcement; lengthy power outages; increased pricing, financial instability and capacity constraints of air carriers; airline job actions and strikes, or governmental activities in connection with air travel such as flight impacts resulting from reduced levels of air traffic controllers; and potential for increases in gasoline and other fuel prices such as experienced in 2022.
Based upon insurable property values as of December 31, 2024, 36% of our managed properties are located in Tier I windstorm exposure areas, 22% are located in high-risk wildfire-prone states, and 20% are located in areas with a high level of flood risk.
Based upon insurable property values as of December 31, 2025, 35% of our managed properties are located in Tier I windstorm exposure areas, 22% are located in high-risk wildfire-prone states, and 19% are located in areas with a high level of flood risk.
Additionally, increased regulations related to climate change could have an adverse impact on the leisure travel industry generally. 18 Table of Contents Further, Travel + Leisure Co. develops and manages resort properties and provides our exchange and travel club members access to resort properties throughout the world, a portion of which are in areas with greater exposure to the adverse effects of severe weather events and other natural disasters due to their location in coastal areas or states where wildfires are common or have increased in frequency, which could cause such resorts to suffer greater adverse effects from those events than the leisure travel industry faces in general.
Further, Travel + Leisure Co. develops and manages resort properties and provides our exchange and travel club members access to resort properties throughout the world, a portion of which are in areas with greater exposure to the adverse effects of severe weather events and other natural disasters due to their location in coastal areas or states where wildfires are common or have increased in frequency, which could cause such resorts to suffer greater adverse effects from those events than the leisure travel industry faces in general.
We compete based on brand name recognition and reputation, lifetime value, location and the availability of desirable development sites for new vacation ownership properties, convenience, quality of accommodations, evolving customer travel preferences, service levels, cost, amenities, customer loyalty and flexibility.
We compete based on brand name recognition and reputation, lifetime value, location and the availability of desirable development sites for new properties, convenience, quality of accommodations, alignment with customer lifestyles and evolving customer travel preferences, service levels, technological innovation, cost, amenities, customer loyalty and flexibility.
In addition, based on the water risk assessment we conducted in 2024, we identified 59 managed resorts in high or extremely high water-stressed locations.
In addition, based on the water risk assessment we conducted in 2025, we identified 63 managed resorts in high or extremely high water-stressed locations.
We currently are not subject to the 15% 24 Table of Contents minimum tax, but we will continue to monitor as this could change.
We currently are not subject to the 15% minimum tax, but we will continue to monitor as this could change.
Any of these risks or any adverse outcome resulting from the financial instability or performance of foreign economies, the instability or weakening of other currencies and the related volatility on foreign exchange and interest rates, could impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We are subject to risks related to our vacation ownership receivables portfolio.
Any of these risks or any adverse outcome resulting from the financial instability or performance of foreign economies, the instability or weakening of other currencies and the related volatility on foreign exchange and interest rates, could impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions may not prove successful and could result in operating difficulties. We regularly consider a wide array of potential acquisitions and other strategic transactions, including acquisitions of businesses and real property, brand licensing transactions, joint ventures, business combinations, strategic investments and dispositions. Any of these transactions could be material to our business.
We regularly consider a wide array of potential acquisitions and other strategic transactions, including acquisitions of businesses and real property, brand licensing transactions, joint ventures, business combinations, strategic investments and dispositions. Any of these transactions could be material to our business.
Following the significant property and casualty losses incurred by the insurance industry due to hurricanes, wildfires, cybersecurity breaches and other events, as well as market dynamics (such as those resulting from the recent rapid increase in interest rates), insurance costs have increased and may be higher (and availability may be lower) in future periods.
Following the significant property and casualty losses incurred by the insurance industry due to hurricanes, wildfires, cybersecurity breaches and other events, as well as market dynamics, insurance costs have increased and may be higher (and availability may be lower) in future periods.
The success of our acquisitions is also subject to other risks, including, among others: • failure to realize expected technological and product synergies, economies of scale and cost reductions; • unforeseen expenses, delays or conditions related to the transactions, including those due to regulations; • adverse effects on existing business relationships with customers, partners, employees or suppliers; • potential dilutive issuances of equity securities in payment of the acquisition price; • risks associated with entering into markets in which we have limited or no prior experience such as the college sports community and environment, including less visibility into demand; • inaccurate assumptions regarding the acquired business or integration process; • financial and operational results that may differ materially from our assumptions and forecasts, including higher than expected development costs; • unforeseen difficulties that may arise in integrating operations, processes and systems; • higher than expected investments that may be required to implement necessary compliance processes and related systems, including information technology systems, accounting systems and internal control over financial reporting; • failure to retain, motivate and integrate any key management and other employees of the acquired business; • higher than expected costs or other impacts resulting from unforeseen tax, trade, environmental or other regulations in jurisdictions in which the acquired business conducts its operations; and • issues with retaining customers and integrating customer bases.
The success of our acquisitions is also subject to other risks, including, among others: • failure to realize expected technological and product synergies, economies of scale and cost reductions; • unforeseen expenses, delays or conditions related to the transactions, including those due to regulations; • adverse effects on existing business relationships with customers, partners, employees or suppliers; • potential dilutive issuances of equity securities in payment of the acquisition price in a strategic transaction; • risks associated with entering into markets in which we have limited or no prior experience, including new domestic and international geographic locations and new consumer markets such as the sports fan community (for example, the risk that we may have less visibility into demand in such markets); • inaccurate assumptions regarding the acquired business or integration process; • financial and operational results that may differ materially from our assumptions and forecasts, including higher than expected development costs; • unforeseen difficulties that may arise in integrating operations, processes and systems; • higher than expected investments that may be required to implement necessary compliance processes and related systems, including information technology systems, accounting systems and internal control over financial reporting; • failure to retain, motivate and integrate any key management and other employees of the acquired business; • higher than expected costs or other impacts resulting from unforeseen tax, trade, environmental or other regulations in jurisdictions in which the acquired business conducts its operations; and • issues with retaining customers and integrating customer bases. 18 Table of Contents Many of these factors are outside of our control and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues, and diversion of management’s time and attention.
Our business is regulated by federal, state and local governments in the countries in which we operate. In addition, U.S. and international, federal, state and local regulators may enact new laws and regulations that may reduce our revenues, cause our expenses to increase or require us to modify our business practices substantially.
In addition, U.S. and international, federal, state and local regulators may enact new laws and regulations that may reduce our revenues, cause our expenses to increase or require us to modify our business practices substantially.
In addition, should we violate or not comply with any applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements relating to data security and privacy, such as the recently adopted SEC rules requiring public companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents to which they become subject on a Current Report on Form 8-K, or with our own privacy and security policies, either intentionally or unintentionally, or through the acts of intermediaries, it could have a material adverse effect on our brands, marketing, reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities.
In addition, should we violate or not comply with any applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements relating to data security and privacy, such as the recently adopted regulations for the California Consumer Privacy Act, or with our own privacy and security policies, either intentionally or unintentionally, or through the acts of intermediaries, it could have a material adverse effect on our brands, marketing, reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities.
Although new owner sales levels have recovered from their lows in 2020, there is no assurance that they will continue to result in increased new owner memberships in the timeframe or at the levels that we expect or at all. Developers and members also supply resort accommodations for use in exchanges.
Although new owner sales levels have recovered from their lows in 2020, there is no assurance that they will continue to result in increased new owner memberships sufficient to reach pre-pandemic levels. Developers and members also supply resort accommodations for use in exchanges.
Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory and Reputational Matters Negative public perception regarding our industry could have an adverse effect on our operations.
See Note 25— Restructuring for further information. Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory and Reputational Matters Negative public perception regarding our industry could have an adverse effect on our operations.
Current and future international operations expose us to additional challenges and risks that may not be inherent in operating solely in the U.S. due to different social or cultural norms and practices that are not customary in the U.S., geographical distance and language barriers, including our ability to sell products and services, enforce intellectual property rights and staff and manage operations. 26 Table of Contents Risks Related to the Spin-Off Our success depends in part on our ongoing relationship with Wyndham Hotels.
Current and future international operations expose us to additional challenges and risks that may not be inherent in operating solely in the U.S. due to different social or cultural norms and practices that are not customary in the U.S., geographical distance and language barriers, including our ability to sell products and services, enforce intellectual property rights and staff and manage operations.
Any of the foregoing disruptions would also likely adversely affect our affiliated resorts, our RCI affiliates and other developers of vacation ownership resorts and timeshare property owner associations in the impacted location(s), and our travel clubs, thereby impacting our operations and financial results.
Any of the foregoing disruptions would also likely adversely affect our affiliated resorts, our RCI affiliates and other developers of vacation ownership resorts and timeshare property owner associations in the impacted location(s), and our travel clubs, thereby impacting our operations and financial results. Acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions may not prove successful and could result in operating difficulties.
Our business faces increasing scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance activities and risk of damage to our reputation and the value of our brands if we fail to act responsibly or comply with regulatory requirements in a number of areas, such as business ethics and compliance, safety and security, responsible tourism, public health, environmental stewardship and sustainability, supply chain management, climate change, diversity, human rights and modern slavery, philanthropy and support for local communities.
At the same time, our reputation and the value of our brands may be damaged if we fail to act responsibly or comply with regulatory requirements in a number of areas, such as business ethics and compliance, safety and security, responsible tourism, public health, environmental stewardship and sustainability, supply chain management, climate change, human rights and modern slavery, philanthropy, employee relations, and support for local communities.
Under the separation agreement and the tax sharing agreement that we executed with Cendant Corporation (now Avis Budget Group, Inc., “ABG”) and former ABG units, Realogy (now Anywhere Real Estate Inc.) and Travelport.
We are responsible for certain of Avis Budget Group, Inc.'s contingent and other corporate liabilities. Under the separation agreement and the tax sharing agreement that we executed with Cendant Corporation (now Avis Budget Group, Inc., “ABG”) and former ABG units, Realogy (now Anywhere Real Estate Inc.) and Travelport.
We also face competition from national and regional timeshare resale companies as well as from private resales of VOIs, which has in the past and likely will in the future impact VOI sales.
We also face competition from national and regional timeshare resale companies as well as from private resales of VOIs, which has in the past and likely will in the future impact VOI sales. New owners have also historically engaged in upgrade purchases over time which favorably impact our business.
In addition, developers have been creating, operating and expanding internal exchange and points-based vacation club networks to offer their respective owners travel flexibility.
In addition, developers are increasingly competing with our Exchange business by creating, operating and expanding internal exchange and points-based vacation club networks to offer their respective owners travel flexibility.
In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a number of agreements with Wyndham Hotels that govern the ongoing relationships between Wyndham Hotels and Travel + Leisure Co. following the Spin-off. Our success depends, in part, on the maintenance of these ongoing relationships with Wyndham Hotels as well as Wyndham Hotels’ performance of its obligations under these agreements.
Risks Related to the Spin-Off Our success depends in part on our ongoing relationship with Wyndham Hotels. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a number of agreements with Wyndham Hotels that govern the ongoing relationships between Wyndham Hotels and Travel + Leisure Co. following the Spin-off.
We will be adversely impacted if we cannot compete effectively in the highly competitive timeshare industry. The continued success and future growth of our timeshare and exchange businesses depends upon our ability to compete effectively in markets that contain numerous competitors, some of which may have significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources and flexibility than we have.
The continued success and future growth of our timeshare and exchange businesses depend upon our ability to compete effectively in an industry that contains numerous competitors, some of which have significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources and flexibility than we have.
There can be no assurance that the anticipated benefits associated with this acquisition will be achieved. Dispositions of businesses, such as our European and North American vacation rentals transactions, also pose risks and challenges that could negatively impact our business, including costs or disputes with buyers.
Dispositions of businesses, such as our European and North American vacation rentals transactions, also pose risks and challenges that could negatively impact our business, including costs or disputes with buyers.
Competition may reduce fee structures, potentially causing us to lower our fees or prices, which may adversely impact our profits. New competition or existing competition that uses a business model that is different from our business model may require us to change our model so that we can remain competitive.
New competition or existing competition that uses a business model that is different from our business model may require us to change our model so that we can remain competitive.
These actions may lead to operational delays or restrictions, as well as increased operating costs, regulatory burdens and risk of litigation, and decrease customers’ willingness to buy from us or to use our travel clubs or vacation exchange platforms. 25 Table of Contents Our business is subject to extensive regulation and the cost of compliance or failure to comply with such regulations may adversely affect us.
These actions may lead to operational delays or restrictions, as well as increased operating costs, regulatory burdens and risk of litigation, and decrease customers’ willingness to buy from us or to use our travel clubs or vacation exchange platforms.
Further, if we fail to fully assess, identify and address all cybersecurity risks associated with acquisitions (such as our recent acquisition of Accor Vacation Club) or fail successfully to integrate all information technology systems of such acquired businesses into and with our existing technology framework and cybersecurity controls, we would become increasingly vulnerable to all of the above risks. 22 Table of Contents Additionally, we are subject to federal, state, and international laws and regulations relating to the collection, use, retention, security and transfer of personally identifiable information and individual payment data.
Further, if we fail to fully assess, identify and address all cybersecurity risks associated with acquisitions (such as our acquisition of Accor Vacation Club) or fail successfully to integrate all information technology systems of such acquired businesses into and with our existing technology framework and cybersecurity controls, we would become increasingly vulnerable to all of the above risks.
Consolidation in the timeshare industry can also lead to larger competitors with greater resources that compete with our Vacation Ownership business for customers, projects, and talent. We principally compete with short-term vacation options such as lodging, cruise, and home and apartment sharing services, as well as other timeshare developers.
We principally compete with short-term leisure travel options such as lodging (hotels and resorts), cruises, and home and apartment rental or sharing services. We also compete with other timeshare companies for customers, projects and talent, and consolidation in the timeshare industry can lead to larger competitors that may have greater resources than us.
Financial difficulties of owners and customers, such as those that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and that generally occur during recessionary periods, could result in increased payment defaults and delinquencies. When defaults or delinquencies occur during the early part of the loan amortization period, we may not have recovered the marketing, selling, administrative and other costs associated with such VOIs.
When defaults or delinquencies occur during the early part of the loan amortization period, we may not have recovered the marketing, selling, administrative and other costs associated with such VOIs.
The development, adoption and use for AI and machine learning technologies are still in their early stages and the development of AI technologies is complex, involving technical challenges associated with achieving the desired level of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability.
The development, capabilities, adoption and use of AI and machine learning technologies have been advancing at a rapid pace, and the further development of AI technologies is complex, involving technical challenges associated with achieving the desired level of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe not to be material risks may also adversely affect our business. 15 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry The timeshare industry is highly competitive and we are subject to risks related to competition that may adversely affect our performance.
However, the risks and uncertainties we face are not limited to those set forth in the risk factors described below. 15 Table of Contents Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe not to be material risks may also adversely affect our business.
For the rules effective January 1, 2025, we do expect the impact to increase our effective tax rate but overall the rules are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. This may change as other countries enact similar legislation and further guidance is released. We continue to closely monitor regulatory developments to assess potential impacts.
As of December 31, 2025, based on the countries in which we do business that have enacted legislation effective on or before January 1, 2025, the rules did increase our effective tax rate but overall the impact to our financial statements was not material. This may change as other countries enact similar legislation and further guidance is released.
The OECD may continue to release guidance, and enacting legislation may continue to be implemented, that could impact our assessment as to the impact of Pillar Two on our consolidated financial statements and operations. We are subject to ongoing and periodic tax audits and disputes in U.S. federal and various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions.
We continue to closely monitor regulatory developments to assess potential impacts. The OECD may continue to release guidance, and enacting legislation may continue to be implemented, that could impact our assessment as to the impact of Pillar Two on our Consolidated Financial Statements and operations.
Natural disasters, such as the recent severe wildfires in California and the hurricanes in Florida, have increasingly caused substantial and, in certain instances, unprecedented property damage which will likely materially impact property insurance markets. Coverage and insurance rates may materially impact resort ownership unit maintenance fees to timeshare owners which could potentially make vacation ownership less attractive to some consumers.
Natural disasters, such as the severe wildfires in California in early 2025 and the hurricanes in Florida in 2024, have increasingly caused substantial and, in certain instances, unprecedented property damage which have impacted and in the future will likely materially impact property insurance markets.
An unfavorable outcome from any tax audit could result in higher tax costs, penalties and interest, thereby adversely affecting our financial condition or results of operations. We are responsible for certain of Avis Budget Group, Inc.'s contingent and other corporate liabilities.
We are subject to ongoing and periodic tax audits and disputes in U.S. federal and various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. An unfavorable outcome from any tax audit could result in higher tax costs, penalties and interest, thereby adversely affecting our financial condition or results of operations.
Failure to successfully execute these transactions and integrate acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. In 2021, we acquired the Travel + Leisure brand and all related assets from Dotdash Meredith (formerly Meredith Corporation) and we also changed our name to Travel + Leisure Co.
In 2021, we acquired the Travel + Leisure brand and all related assets from People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith and Meredith Corporation) and we also changed our name to Travel + Leisure Co.
A number of countries around the world have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation implementing OECD’s Pillar Two rules. As of December 31, 2024, based on the countries in which we do business that have enacted legislation effective January 1, 2024, the impact of these rules to our financial statements was not material.
A number of countries around the world have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation implementing OECD’s Pillar Two rules.
We have also increased new owner sales as a percentage of aggregate VOI sales, as new owners have historically engaged in upgrade purchases over time which favorably impact our business. However, we cannot guarantee that the historic upgrade trends will continue in the future at the same rates we have generated in the past.
However, we cannot guarantee that the historic upgrade trends will continue in the future at the same rates we have generated in the past or that we will continue to succeed in creating new owners at levels sufficient to continue historic upgrade trends.
In order to compete, we incent potential new owners and existing owners to tour with us to better understand our products and services. New resorts are being constructed and these additions to supply may create new competitors, in some cases without corresponding increases in demand.
In order to compete with the multitude of short-term leisure travel options for customers, we incent potential new owners and existing owners to tour with us to better understand our products and services.
This acquisition is subject to the acquisition and integration risks described above, as well as all of the risks of acquiring, operating and developing a business outside of the U.S. market and in geographical areas where our operating experience is limited or where we have not historically operated.
Further, there can be no assurance that the anticipated benefits from the 2024 Accor Vacation Club acquisition will be achieved, or that we will be successful in operating and developing this business outside of the U.S. market and in geographical areas where we have had limited or no operating experience.