Time Shares

Like a lot of vacation meccas, Gatlinburg has a busy time-share industry. You'll certainly see information centers in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, as well as kiosks on the street, with extremely helpful folks who want to give you free tickets and dinner packages if you're willing to commit 90 minutes (at least) of your time to sitting through a time-share presentation. People will even try to talk to you in restaurants about time-shares. Honestly, it can be very easy to get snagged. Lots of people who say they will never buy a time-share go to one of these presentations "just to get the free tickets" or the cash or the free weekend hotel package, and end up owning a time-share. There's nothing wrong with buying a time-share. This is just a friendly warning to be prepared so you don't suffer from buyer's remorse when your trip to Gatlinburg is over.

The City of Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce do not endorse these methods of enticement or the information utilized to gain your attention. According to the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, your initial contact with this type of activity would typically be an acquisition agent or "OPC." These persons are required to be licensed by the State of Tennessee and should be wearing a photo identification badge giving their name and other information. Any solicitation by persons other than those wearing such an ID badge should be reported to a Gatlinburg Police Officer or other City official.

In order to make your visit to Gatlinburg more enjoyable, the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce has provided the opportunity for our Member Businesses to distribute a "Thank you, I've already been asked" sticker. This sticker can be worn by our visitors during their stay to alert these acquisition agents of their lack of interest in the offer which they are making. Stickers may be obtained from participating members. If you are unable to obtain one through a member business you may stop by the offices of the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at 811 East Parkway between the hours of 8am - 5pm Monday - Friday. Any rude behavior, physical touching, or making false statements by an acquisition agent should be reported in writing (including the name and identification number if possible) to the City of Gatlinburg, P.O. Box 5, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 and/or the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 527, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

Time-share presentations vary greatly in the length of time needed to complete the requirements for acquiring promised promotions. If you agree to attend a time-share presentation, you should do yourself a favor and always ask ahead of time about the time commitment involved before going.

If you are interested in buying into a time-share, you may want to check with a time-share reseller or look online at eBay. Time-shares are often sold through these sources for far less than they are offered during the formal presentations and you won't feel pressured into buying.