The fractional market in Europe has seen a surge in sales as a growing number of companies report strong figures for the end of 2009.

Fractional consultancy The Best Group has reported £2 million worth of sales through 25 transactions across Europe since the start of November.

“What has made completions accelerate is a sense that properties could become more expensive in six months," Best Group CEO Brad Lincoln told OPP. “Part of the driver is people are seeing fractional finance coming through and are expecting prices to be driven up as the world comes out of the economic downturn.”

Other companies reporting improved sales include Portuguese mixed-use developer Pestana, which has seen transactions increase on 2008 and 2007 thanks to its fractional finance. There has also been growth in the top-end market, according to consultancy Kempf International, which has seen sales increase across a number of private residence clubs in Italy.

These successes follow the well-publicised sale of all 43 fractional units at a Seasons Holidays resort in Spain to timeshare owners in November 2009.

“The key to success is in mixed-use resorts,” said Robin Mills, independent consultant and chairman of the Resort Developers’ Organisation (RDO) communications council. “If buyers aren’t comfortable with what you first offer then you can show them something else.”