The scheme has been tailor-made for the vacationing needs of a broad spectrum of travellers. The package addresses spiralling vacationing costs, dearth of accommodation during peak tourist seasons and at the same time offers clients one of the most compelling benefits of their schemes like total refund of a membership deposit after a period of 10 years. ``The concept of timeshare whereby you buy the rights to a property for a limited period of time, say a week, for the contracted number of years entitles you to a holiday exclusive for you and your family at that particular resort in accommodation of your choice,'' says Sanjay Wadhawan, general manager, sales and marketing.

``You do have the option of exchanging thisfixed week with other members of the company. The exchange could be for another time slot at a different location. The choice of accommodation and seasonal factor drive the price of the package for each individual,'' he says.

But what has added to the Usha Shriram package is the tie-up with the US-based Resort Condominium International (RCI), one of the largest operators in the timeshare business, which can be used by investors in Usha Shriram scheme, adds Wadhawan.

``We saw witnessed the disenchantment of the Indian timeshare buyer for some years in the Indian market, but Usha Shriram Hotels worked out a package that has already garnered them good business,'' he says.

The USP of the scheme, says Wadhawan, is the refund of the deposit amount after 10 years. ``The company has done this because of people's scepticism about a contracted period of 99 years or even 33 years for that matter.'' Usha Shriram Hotels also offer an exit option after three years, thereby addressing people's doubt about tying theirmoney for such a long period for a scheme which may not really be worth it. Usha Shriram also has the advantage of offering ready property as holiday destinations. ``A lot of companies start selling timeshare on acquiring the land and clients have to wait till the resort comes up before they can take advantage of the scheme,'' says Wadhawan.

The Usha Shriram hotel chain has four exclusive properties for clients to choose from. In addition, the option of any RCI-affiliated resort both here and abroad for a nominal exchange fee is part of the deal. The Usha Shriram Hotels package ranges from a high of Rs 1.45 lakh for a hotel unit during peak season to Rs 2.5 lakh for 2-bedroom unit during peak season, depending on your choice of the accommodation and the season. During the low season you can avail the accommodation for Rs 75,000 for one hotel unit to Rs 1.45 lakh for a 2-bedroom unit.

But watch out for the small print. As with other timeshare programmes, there is an additional annual maintenance fee and autility fee.