1974 FIFTY YEARS 2024
RCI Magazine - 50th Anniversary Special Issue
Step into our rich history with a look back.
Join us as we celebrate a significant moment – our 50th anniversary. Click and reflect on our journey and travel evolution over the past 50 years.
50 YEARS: AN EVOLUTION IN TRAVEL
Over the past 50 years, RCI has transformed travel by offering flexible exchange options in prime vacation destinations. Through our member-only approach, millions of memories have been imprinted and cherished for generations. We invite you to embark on a journey through our timeline of travel, where each moment is a cherished memory waiting to be relived.
Explore the milestones, adventures, and heartwarming interactions that have shaped our travel legacy.
Join us in celebrating the art of creating unforgettable memories across the globe.
1974
Christel and Jon DeHaan establish RCI, then Resort Condominiums International, Inc. With its first office in Indianapolis, Indiana, facilitating exchanges among 453 of our first members.
1975
First resort directory published, and first member newsletter released. 236 exchanges confirmed.
1976
We open our first office outside the U.S. – in Mexico.
1977
London office opens. Endless Vacation® magazine debuts.
1983
We make the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing privately-owned U.S. businesses.
1985
We welcome our 1,000th affiliated resort. RCI Perspective (now RCI Ventures®), a magazine for the timeshare industry, launches.
1986
We confirm more than 300,000 exchanges.
1989
We surpass 1 million member families.
1991
We establish our RCI Gold Crown Resort quality recognition program.
1994
We celebrate our 20th anniversary and now employ 3,400 associates in 54 offices in 26 countries.
1996
RCI.com launches. HFS, eventually renamed Cendant, purchases RCI.
1998
Christel DeHaan establishes Christel House, which becomes our charity of choice.
1999
Over 12 million people take a timeshare vacation in 1999. We confirm more than 2.7 million exchanges, sending an estimated 7.5 million people on vacation.
2000
RCI Points, the first global points-based exchange program, launches.
2002
We launch the world’s first luxury exchange program, then A&K Registry, now The Registry Collection® program.
2004
We celebrate 30 years of great vacations with 3 million RCI subscribing members.
2008
We unveil our first ‘green’ directory, printed with FSC certified paper. RCI.com introduces enhanced online search capabilities. We welcome our 4,000th affiliated resort.
2009
RCI TV is launched, the first online video network of its kind in the industry.
2010
We transform vacation exchange for RCI Weeks members with the unveiling of trading power transparency. RCI delivers a new level of benefits through the RCI Platinum-membership tier.
2011
We announce the winners of the first annual RCI Green Awards, celebrating RCI-affiliated resorts that actively engage in sustainable practices. To determine which resorts are leading the industry in sustainability, we partner with GreenCircle Certified to assess and rate all that choose to enter the awards program.
2012
The Registry Collection program celebrates its 10th anniversary. Mobile version of RCI.com is launched in the U.S. RCI content surpasses 1 million views on YouTube.
2014
We celebrate our 40th anniversary.
2018
Wyndham Destinations debuted as a pure-play timeshare and exchange business on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WYND) after Wyndham Worldwide completed a spin-off of its hotel company.
2020
We receive a new look and feel, re-launching as The New Shape of Travel, strengthened by the addition of hotels, car rentals, and activities to our portfolio.
2021
Wyndham Destinations acquires the Travel + Leisure brand and renames itself Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL), the new parent company of RCI.
2024
We celebrate our 50th anniversary. As your ultimate travel companion, we’re proud to have brought you more destinations, experiences – and everything in between, for over five decades. Here’s to 50 years of more. More dots on your map. More milestones. More memories. And more moments shared.
Discover our valued travel affiliates
FEATURED:
10 Amazing All-Inclusive Family Resorts In Mexico
By Alissa Miller
Mexico is full of great places that are perfect for a family vacation. Warm weather, sandy beaches, and amazing culture all combine to make Mexico a wonderful choice for a family getaway. And when you’re traveling with the family, an all-inclusive resort can turn a good vacation into an amazing one. ... Read More
FEATURED:
6 Benefits Of Vacationing At All-Inclusive Resorts
By Rona Gindin
You dream of stepping away from stress during resort vacations, yet … Dinner? Pay. Snorkel? Pay. Fruity cocktail? Pay. Ouch. Choose an all-inclusive vacation option instead and you’ll be free to dine, stay, and play without making your wallet wince. All the makings of a rejuvenating getaway will be available, unlimited, at one set upfront price. Arrive at an RCI all-inclusive resort, lock your wallet in the safe, and simply enjoy yourselves. No cash, no credit, no anxiety. Just good times. Not convinced? ... Read More
FEATURED:
8 Reasons to Take an All-Inclusive Vacation Now
BY HEIDI MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE SCOTT
Imagine yourself at the beach, ordering a sunset cocktail before feasting on lobster and catching a musical. And every bit of it is already paid for. Seasoned travelers may balk at the notion of hitting an all-inclusive resort—there’s no serendipity, they’ll say, or the crowd is homogenous—but we’re here to tell the haters they’re wrong. All-inclusive resorts have surprise built into their DNA and attract all manner of holidaymakers, from honeymooners to families to adventurers. Read More
FEATURED:
The Truth About All-Inclusive Resorts
BY STIRLING KELSO
BEFORE: FROM ENVY TO SKEPTICISM
My family traveled frequently when I was growing up, but we never stayed at all-inclusive resorts. We’d hunker down with relatives, opt for no-frills hotels or occasionally book an inn or B&B with character. Not to sound ungrateful, but I always envied friends who vacationed at Club Meds and Iberostars in sunny ... Read More
FEATURED:
Resorts for the Spa Enthusiast
You’ve snorkeled four days in a row. You’ve tried out windsurfing. You’ve played tennis. You’ve basked in the sun, hit the pool and parasailed. Now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a massage.
All-Inclusive vacations are known for their variety of activities at a great value. But if you’re looking for a little something extra, then a day at your resort’s spa ... Read More
The joy of member-inspired travels
Meet Sagrario
"After 3 years of postponing our trip to Florida due to the pandemic, we were finally able to fulfill our dream and enjoy that region of the U.S. Thanks to RCI we were able to maintain our resort and stayed at the Holiday Inn Orange Lake which was great."
Meet Teresa
"We had a fabulous holiday in Madeira at the Hotel Royal Orchid. It was out of this world. What an experience, can't wait to go back."
Meet Elizabeth
"This was our first vacation together and we had a fantastic time. We conquered Pico Del Teide and discovered a lovely waterfall at Bianco Del Infierno. We ate amazing food, drank delicious cocktails, soaked up the sunshine and are now looking forward to our next vacation!"
Meet Luis
"Always enjoying the best vacations with family and friends, taking advantage of the power of exchange in the best resorts around the world."
The Experts behind your travel plans
Kate
Ireland
Department: European Helpdesk
With RCI Since: 2000
“All the different people I get to chat with from all over the world.”
Douglas
United States
Department: Resource Planning and Management
With RCI Since: 1992
“RCI has allowed me to travel the world where other jobs at other companies would not have allowed that. Where else can you go to Hawaii, Europe, Hawaii and other places around the world. I've made friendships that will last forever.”
Luca
Italy
Department: Contact Center
With RCI Since: 2005
“I discovered the pleasure of traveling with RCI! I met honest people who enriched my way of life.”
Sally
Egypt
Department: Contact Center
With RCI Since: 2015
“The family spirit in the company & sending members to enjoy vacation.”
DISCOVER THE WORLD, ONE CLICK AT A TIME.
Dive into our world of curated travel lists, meticulously crafted to ignite your wanderlust and help you plan your dream getaway. From breathtaking natural wonders to culturally rich destinations, we've categorized our lists into four captivating themes that cover every traveler's dream:
50 RESORTS AROUND THE WORLD
In honor of our 50th anniversary, we are continuing to strive to put more dots on your map so we're featuring 50 resorts across the world. So, fill your cup and your calendar, and experience even MORE this year.
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