What began as a single resort in Kissimmee has grown into one of the most recognized names in vacation ownership—and now, Westgate Resorts is entering a new chapter. The company recently announced the largest expansion in its 40-year history, tripling its footprint through the acquisition of VI Resorts, a Washington-based timeshare club with a strong presence across the western United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The acquisition signals more than a portfolio increase; it reflects a strategic shift in both scale and product. VI Resorts, one of the oldest points-based clubs in the country, introduces a more flexible ownership structure that complements Westgate’s traditionally week-based model. This integration positions the Florida-headquartered company to serve a broader, more diverse customer base, including a rising demographic of younger buyers who favor portability and access across multiple destinations.
Incorporating VI’s 44 resorts elevates Westgate’s offering to 66 locations—marking a move into new geographies and market segments. Yet even as the company expands westward, its center of gravity remains firmly planted in Florida. The state continues to house its headquarters, nine operating resorts, and a significant portion of its workforce. Ongoing investment in Florida properties, including the forthcoming River Country Water Park at Westgate River Ranch Resort, further reinforces the company’s commitment to its home state.
The scale of the VI Resorts acquisition also reflects broader trends reshaping the vacation ownership industry. Consumer behavior has shifted in favor of hybrid models that offer both structure and choice—prompting established players to evolve in response. The timeshare model of decades past is giving way to club formats that prioritize experience, personalization, and cross-destination integration.
For Westgate, adapting to this shift meant acquiring not just new properties but an entirely new operating model. Vacation Ownership Sales, the exclusive sales and marketing partner of VI Resorts, was included in the acquisition, bringing more than 500 team members into the Westgate organization. This consolidation enhances the company’s reach and deepens its operational capacity at a time when demand for high-quality, high-flexibility travel is accelerating.
While the company’s footprint now spans from Florida to British Columbia, Westgate’s approach remains shaped by lessons learned in the state where it began. Florida’s tourism infrastructure, regulatory landscape, and consumer base have long provided fertile ground for innovation in hospitality—and many of the strategies tested here are now being deployed on a national scale.
This expansion is not a departure from Westgate’s Florida identity—it is an extension of it. As the vacation ownership industry redefines itself through technology, diversification, and demographic change, Florida continues to serve as a model of both tradition and reinvention. Westgate’s national growth underscores that evolution—and affirms that some of the most ambitious ideas in hospitality are still coming out of the Sunshine State.
