Sharetime Magazine 9

ISSUE 9 • Winter 20122012 ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring

European Directive: TATOCon 2012 one year

Conference preview

RCI - It’s a way of life European RCI - Directive: It’s a the acid test way of life

Front cover sponsored by RCI

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TATOC’s Taylor - meeting the challenge

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elcome to our spring 2012 Sharetime.

The weather is improving and minds are turning to holidays and better times.

Bookings for timeshare holidays in the U.K. are breaking records. Europe is still doing well but what is happening in other areas?

I recently attended the GNEX2012 conference in Cancun, Mexico, whose theme was the ‘Global Meeting of Minds’ and was surprised how strong timeshare is there and the growth it is achieving across all the timeshare options, weeks, points and fractionals.

Before conference started I had an exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of the most successful resorts in Cancun and the Rivera Region.

A bonus was being able to meet some of the senior management involved in the projects.

I had an insight into why these spectacular resorts are some of the most successful vacation ownership resorts in Mexico. I saw what sets them apart from the rest and the fantastic amenities available to all.

To say I was impressed would be an understatement!

The two-day conference was opened by Juan Gonzalez Hernandez, tourism secretary, Quinta Roo, Mexico, who, as expected painted a glowing picture of investment in Mexico. He also talked about the negative press Mexico was attracting worldwide due to drug violence.

This was discussed further in an upbeat presentation given by Craig Morganson, CEO, Holiday Systems International who has been working tirelessly in an effort to lift the U.S.A. travel warning imposed on Mexico.

His presentation gave an account of what is being done to safeguard tourism as it seems that visitors from the U.S.A. to Mexico are down dramatically – a situation that must be addressed.

It may be worth visiting the U.K. government site to learn more of the advice being given to travellers. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-livingabroad/travel-advice-by-country/northcentral-america/mexico1 David Gilbert, executive vice president, resort sales and marketing, America, at

Interval International presented a very interesting presentation entitled ‘An insight into the U.S. consumer’.

behaviour? Or is it because the numbers buying our range of products has reduced to a minority interest?

He presented highlights from Interval’s 2011 U.S. membership profile along with key data from a marketing survey that examines the evolving product, holiday habits, preferences, and intentions of consumers who are interested in acquiring some sort of shared ownership.

I hope it’s the former. Our efforts at creating the right image, culture and professionalism within the business have been substantial and, I believe, largely successful.

I was left with the feeling that our consumers are not that far away from our American cousins on what they see as future holiday expectations and shared ownership opportunities.

Now our challenge is to make timeshare as popular as it is in Cancun where sales success has been incredibly high and owner satisfaction rates beating all forecasts.

Industry conferences are ideal locations for debate, discussion and deliberation. Let us hope we benefit from such self-assessment.

I was left with the feeling that our consumers are not that far away from our American cousins on what they see as future holiday expectations and shared ownership opportunities.

The keynote speaker was John Spence who, as a young man, managed entertainment artists who are now household names but, for various reasons (some hilarious), slipped out of his hands. But he had bigger fish to fry!

Named by Ernst & Young’s as the 2010 Australian entrepreneur of the year, he gave us an insight into the problems and opportunities in creating the Karma Royal Group in 1993.

The only funding was his own. His team has grown into one of the leading developers in Asia, creating boutique resorts and more. He has recently entered the European market and his operations can only go from strength to strength.

The ‘800lb gorilla panel’ had the misfortune of following John. I was part of that panel and am pleased to say we survived! The team answered a variety of questions posed by the moderator, Jim Madrid, founder, Entelechy Training and Development, and from the floor.

My thoughts are now turning to our own conference, an opportunity to hear some challenging speeches and, perhaps most important, to meet other timeshare newcomers, activists and ‘veterans’.

I hope that we will be able to share experiences and take a penetrating look at what has been happening to our industry.

I’m pleased to say that, by and large, our national consumer press has for the past year been looking elsewhere for its sensational headlines.

Is this a reflection on how the industry has created new standards of presentation and

Harry speaking at the Dial an Exchange members’ event

Harry out and about

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arry Taylor attended the Dial an Exchange members’ event on November 30, 2011 on behalf of TATOC. Over 200 DAE members attended the meeting, which took place at the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere. “It was a very informative and fun meeting and it is always great to meet people who are so positive about their timeshare ownership and get so involved in their exchanges,” said Harry Taylor.

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Ask the editor The blight of bogus legal firms

by TATOC helpline manager Mark Caldicott

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here has been an increasing number of calls to the helpline from consumers who have been cold called by legal companies operating from several European countries. They often claim to be acting in conjunction with local or national government agencies to recover money paid for timeshare.

These companies target timeshare owners who have been the subject of scams, failed holiday clubs, failed ‘cash-back’ schemes and reclaim certificates, and so on. They claim to be able to recover the money owners have lost but request an up-front payment to represent them.

TATOC recommends the greatest caution if such companies approach you – especially if they contact you by telephone.

This is usually what happens. The telemarketing representative from the legal firm covers the various scams and cons owners have fallen for in the past including: • Alleged mis-selling of the timeshare ownership; • Losing money to a company who claimed it had a buyer for their week or points; • Losing money to re-sale companies after attending a meeting to try to sell or dispose of the timeshare; • Calls offering assistance to recover money through cash back schemes that haven’t paid out; and • Calls offering assistance to recover money through cash back schemes that are due to pay out in the future.

During the call, which is typically uninvited and ignores those who have registered on the telephone preference service (TPS), the telemarketer often explains they are working for the Spanish Government.

They inform owners that their legal firm has been employed to refund money to timeshare owners who have lost several thousands of pounds. This is, of course, to make the call more official and credible.

After the initial telephone call, the representative will ask for payment up-front to take on the case or ask the owner to attend a meeting to discuss it further.

TATOC always advises consumers never to pay money up front to businesses or to attend a meeting of this nature, as a high-pressured

sales presentation will be waiting for you.

In some cases, your documents and ownership deeds may be requested. Again, TATOC advises owners never to send any documentation to cold calling companies.

Once the up-front payment has been received, the legal firm calls the owner within a few weeks with ‘good news’. The telemarketer informs the owner there has been a substantial settlement in their case: it could be between £20,000-£30,000.

In order to receive this large settlement, the company requires a further payment of 15 per cent which must be paid via bank transfer.

Of course, once this money has been paid, the settlement money never arrives and the legal company the owner has been dealing with suddenly disappears.

Remember: if you are entitled to a payment or compensation because a company has gone into liquidation you will be contacted directly by an official agency or by the liquidator in writing.

It will almost certainly not be by telephone.

However, if a solicitor or legal company requesting an up-front payment approaches you, we recommend the following: • Contact an official government agency; • Verify their credentials and their involvement in such cases through the Law Society (or equivalent in Europe); and • Question their requirement to pay an up-front fee In recent months, several people have been prosecuted in Spain for fraudulently representing themselves as a legal company.

They have taken money from people who have already lost money to other fraudulent practices or failed holiday schemes.

Don’t become another victim yourself.

TATOC recommends owners never give money to anybody who ‘cold-calls’ them, never make an up-front payment and never act without checking the company’s credentials and authority to act in the particular case.

If you decide to pay a company (once you are satisfied with your research), make sure payment it is with a U.K. registered credit card.

This will ensure you have the protection of Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act. Further details of Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act can be obtained from the TATOC Helpline on 0845 230 2430 or by emailing info@timeshareassociation.org.

Plan to close Club Class Companies

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he government has been urged to close down seven ‘Club Class’ companies.

The Resort Developers Organisation has petitioned the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to take immediate and urgent action.

The seven companies are linked to ITRA, an organisation whose activities are wellknown both to RDO’s enforcement department and to consumer bodies such as TATOC, the U.K.- based association for timeshare owners.

Club Class companies under threat include: • U.K.- based Club Class Concierge Ltd; • U.K.- based Bridge View Consultants Ltd; • Seychelles-based Club Class Concierge plc; • Seychelles-based Club Class International plc; • Seychelles-based Club Class Holdings Ltd; • Seychelles-based Club Class Corporation plc; and • Seychelles-based Club Class plc The proceedings are currently pending and an update on the outcome of the cases will be available later in the year.

Details of the petitions can be found in the London Gazette, www.london-gazette.co.uk.

British holidaymakers urged to cash in on falling Euro

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olidaymakers are being urged to cash in as the value of the Euro falls to a 15-month low.

The pound is now worth €1.21, its best rate since September 2010, which means that holidays to Eurozone destinations will cost British tourists less.

Travellers are also expected to buy their spending money now before the Eurozone crisis is resolved and the rate changes. This could have an effect on domestic tourism for half-term holidays and Easter as holidaying in the U.K. is likely to cost more.

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New member resorts Five popular timeshare resorts managed by TATOC silver affiliate Resort Solutions have joined the association as resort members.

Club Le Bristol, chosen as TATOC resort of the month for February, is located in the heart of Isola 2000, in southern France, and is ideal for skiing and sports in the winter season and walking and mountain biking during summer.

Club Le Bristol

The chalet style apartments have balconies with views of the local area and are just a short walking distance from skiing, skating, snowboarding and ice driving activities.

In the summer guests can enjoy hiking, golf, fishing, horse riding and mountain biking.

Located close to Portimao in Portugal, the Alto Golf and Country Club has a wealth of facilities and an eighteen-hole golf course just minutes away.

Playa Flores is a private resort located outside Torremolinos, on the Costa del Sol, and is ideal for mature holidaymakers. Its close proximity to Torremolinos means there is a wealth of facilities nearby.

During the day, visitors can enjoy nine kilometers of wide, sandy beaches and some superb water sports facilities.

There is a huge number of bars, shops and restaurants and for those looking for entertainment, a fantastic nightlife.

Club Algaida is the ideal location to enjoy a holiday on Spain’s sunshine coast.

Just minutes from the beach, shops and entertainment of nearby Calahonda, this is a great location for day trips and superb golf courses.

Alto Golf & Country Club Situated within 18 acres of sub-tropical, landscaped gardens, it is 700m from a sandy beach and offers spacious and well-equipped apartments.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens and directly on the seafront, the word Algaida means ‘among the pines’ and while the apartments are typical of the area, the grounds are truly special.

Playa Flores

Guests have access to a hot tub, sauna and solarium, leisure suite, gym and shuffleboard and there is also a restaurant, tennis, snooker, table tennis and putting green.

Harry Taylor, TATOC executive chairman, commented: “We are delighted that the management and committees have decided to become TATOC resort members and we look forward to working with them.”

Southwest Wales is the location of TATOC’s third new resort member. Haven Court is surrounded by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is just a few minutes walk from the local pub and harbour.

The resort, just 80 metres from the beach, was built to resemble an old mill and has a stream running along side it. The surrounding coastal area offers activities ranging from walking and bird watching to windsurfing.

Haven Court

Club Algaida

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

TATOC welcomes new silver affiliate

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value. There are no registration fees, no legal fees and no commission.”

e-sale organisation Confused About Timeshare has become a TATOC silver affiliate.

For owners whose main language is not English, Confused About Timeshare offers both spoken and written timeshare sales knowledge in the major European languages.

“In all cases we will help every customer who contacts our company with a timeshare enquiry,” Bell continues.

Created to challenge the established re-sale formula, Confused About Timeshare offers independent advice for buying, selling and renting timeshare accommodation.

The team offers a wealth of industry knowledge and experience so that customers are fully informed when making decisions about their ownership and holidays.

Company owner Mark Bell is a timeshare re-sale specialist with a hands-on and creative approach to the business.

He began his career with a leading timeshare trustee organisation in the Isle of Man, setting up a specialist department managing complex transfer of ownership and escrow facilities. He moved to a consultancy role and eventually ran a London-based re-sale provider.

In 2007, Confused About Timeshare opened for business and is now a fully operational, British-based, re-sale provider to customers worldwide focusing on website search engine optimisation to generate new leads and sales.

Today the company provides independent and free timeshare advice for those thinking of buying, selling or renting timeshare. The focus is on making sure owners or renters understand the services being offered before they proceed.

Mark Bell explains: “We offer a stress free timeshare re-sale and rental experience. We can be contacted by phone or email and promise a non-pressurised, professional environment at all times. This is because of the wealth of timeshare knowledge the team has to offer. Our staff have experience with the vast majority of timeshare resorts and products from weeks and points to holiday clubs and is highly competent to handle every issue brought to them.”

Harry Taylor, executive chairman of TATOC, said that Confused About Timeshare was a relatively new timeshare re-sale organisation bringing a fresh approach to the industry.

Confused About Timeshare offers a free valuation and appraisal service, which allows owners to register their timeshare details and have their questions about selling their ownership, answered. “Only when we know the owner understands the process and is happy to proceed will we set about finding a buyer,” adds Mark Bell.

As silver affiliates of TATOC, Confused About Timeshare will adhere to the TATOC code of conduct issued in August 2011.

The company offers a complete stakeholder escrow service for customers during the selling and buying process. This means complete protection for all concerned as the funds are held safely by a third party escrow agent who only releases monies on completion of a sale. “Our services are great

“We are delighted that Mark and the team have chosen to become TATOC affiliates,” he said. “It’s great that we can offer timeshare owners the choice of re-sale organisations who have all committed to the TATOC code of conduct.”

All companies wishing to affiliate to the Timeshare Association are thoroughly vetted beforehand and continually monitored.

Further details of the code of conduct can be found on the Association’s website (www.timeshareassociation.org).

You can find out more about Confused About Timeshare by visiting their website: www.confusedabouttimeshare.com, by telephone on +44 (0)1784 451355 or by email at info@ confusedabouttimeshare.co.uk

Pioneering Cumbrian resort invests in National Park’s first electric car charging point

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n award-winning four-star resort and hotel in the heart of the Lake District National Park is investing in the park’s first electric car charging point in a bid to encourage sustainable tourism in the region.

the only way to make a long-term difference.

Langdale Hotel and Spa, renowned for its outstanding eco-credentials, has installed the new charge point, which gives all guests with electric cars free charging sessions.

The new charging point complements the hotel’s on-going and substantial environmental policies that are acknowledged by its gold standard Green Tourism Award.

To mark the occasion Langdale is offering a complimentary night’s stay to the first five people who arrive at the hotel by electric car.

Langdale’s Dan Visser said: “While electric cars are still relatively rare, we’re committed to doing all we can to encourage green alternatives wherever possible and believe that investing in these kinds of initiatives is

“We hope the new charge point will incentivise electric car owners to visit the area which would not have been feasible previously.”

The hotel has also installed several significant energy-saving devices onsite including a biomass carbon neutral energy system and a revolutionary UV system for its pool disinfectant.

For further information on the Langdale Hotel please visit www.langdale.co.uk

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Discover

Club La Costa World Resorts & Hotels’ new and innovative product.

A turnkey solution designed to breathe life into your resort and increase membership.

Let us complete the picture for your resort!

Contact:

Leslie McCann Tel: +44 (0) 2089 064 400 Mobile: +44 (0) 7771 611 811 Email: leslie.mccann@clublacosta.com

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

In my view

by Sarah Smith, club manager of The Osborne in Torquay

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he autumn Sharetime featured an owner’s article on the effects of ‘negativity’ within the industry. It asked why does the press emphasise the worst of anything instead of seeing the good side?

Is it purely to sell more papers rather than provide a balanced opinion? With the present economic turmoil there are many reasons to present for once the positive side of timeshare and not just for owners, but the wider community.

As a Grade II* listed Regency style crescent over 170 years old, it is thanks to all our members for buying into the timeshare concept so that the building can be enjoyed by so many people.

The management fee for such quality accommodation is less than a rental or a hotel room. For families it is the most cost effective way to take a holiday, but even though it is self-catering there are the benefits of on-site dining and leisure facilities.

Some people (and the majority of Osborne owners fall into this category) bought into the timeshare concept without the intention of ever “sharing” their purchase with anyone.

Timeshare remains a brilliant concept. It offers exceptional value for money, as with fixed time you own bricks and mortar. But it is more than that.

Nothing wrong with that; in effect they bought a second/holiday home, but without the hassle involved of looking after the property.

A timeshare resort is good for the local economy. It provides year round permanent employment - in the case of The Osborne Club, Torquay, some 50 full- and part-time people.

They are the canny ones and have their own managing agent (their club) to do it all for them. And unlike some holiday homes, maximum use is made of the shared ownership property throughout the year, not just for a few weeks.

At The Osborne continuity of staff has been a key factor in its success. Our housekeeper has worked in the hotel and the club for over 40 years, team leaders have been preparing the apartments since the 1980s, grandchildren of the original cleaners are now employed and some of the present office staff have worked here since the mid-1990s.

Returning owners appreciate seeing familiar faces and the staff can’t believe a year has gone by so quickly since they last saw them.

The club sources local suppliers and contractors wherever possible so they are on hand to deal with any problems quickly.

With up to 250 people a week staying in the crescent, our resort provides vital income to local businesses throughout the whole year, not just in the peak months. Tourist attractions, national parks, cafes, restaurants and local crafts all benefit from our owners ‘spending money’.

As well as helping the economy, some timeshare resorts help conserve historic buildings and The Osborne is no exception.

Members have pride in their ownership and delight in bringing friends to stay to ‘show off ’ their resort. With their own version of ‘try before you buy’ their guests need little persuasion to become members as well and throughout the years most of the sales achieved are through recommendation.

Although compared to the large organisations The Osborne is a small resort, we do have 1,650 member families to look after and we aim to give as personal a service as possible.

Our members are active owners and they take a keen interest in all aspects of the resort, which is to be expected given their financial commitment to the club. The owners’ committee works tirelessly (and voluntarily) with the managing agent to safeguard members’ ownerships.

In recent years the two main changes have been the increase in rentals and the business generated by the website. We are now inspected annually by Visit England and can take advantage of their web listing to make us more widely known. It’s good

to be scrutinised to ensure we meet the expectations of holidaymakers.

Family group holidays are on the increase with three or four apartments being rented for annual get-togethers. Our rental business is not just for holidays, but used by locals as a temporary home during redecoration, repairs from insurance claims or in between house moves.

We have a detailed website to help guests make an informed decision on which apartment to rent or buy and we encourage rentals and exchanges to do this so they know exactly what to expect.

Just as it is important to us to have a VisitEngland tourist grading, it is essential that in the timeshare industry we are a bona fide resort.

TATOC accreditation provides us with the assurance we are doing things correctly; preparing for it was an excellent opportunity to look at our procedures and check we conform to timeshare legislation.

The present challenges of the timeshare industry are well documented and The Osborne is no exception in facing an aging ownership and how to regenerate the membership in the present economic climate.

There could be more liaison and exchange of ideas with other resorts; smaller resorts may be able to benefit from links with larger ones.

There could be far more press endorsement of the benefits of timeshare in the travel sections of newspapers. Many people still don’t understand how a timeshare resort works, and do not realise it is open to anyone who wishes to rent a week.

They can take advantage of the benefits of timeshare, without necessarily becoming an owner. Rentals are taking an increasingly important role when there’s any downturn in re-sales and can provide welcome income for the club and members.

So be proud of your ownership. Timeshare is still an excellent concept in providing a lifetime of holidays for all to enjoy.

Think positive!

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Interval survey shows members are travellers who value their timeshare

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nterval International U.K. members travel extensively, find holiday ownership satisfying, own an average of 1.9 weeks of shared ownership time or its equivalent, and report average household incomes of approximately £70,050 per year.

More than one-quarter also report ownership of a second home – apart from their holiday ownership.

These findings are from Interval International’s 2011 U.K. Membership Profile, which was developed from a sample of U.K. resident vacation owners maintaining an active Interval membership.

The on-line study was undertaken to provide insights for use in the development of services and benefits to be offered to Interval members.

The information is also expected to be helpful to resort developers and prospective industry entrants in designing their products and developing marketing strategies.

Interval’s U.K. members spend approximately 28 nights a year away from home travelling

solely for leisure purposes. Additionally, these study respondents indicate a penchant to travel across the European continent during the course of the next two years, boding well for future holiday ownership purchases.

Further afield, they have a strong desire to visit the U.S.A. and Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand.

“As going on holiday remains a high priority for our members, developers can look forward to welcoming more vacation owners to their resorts,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval’s senior vice president of resort sales and business development.

“That and the fact that our U.K. membership base continues to be interested in owning more vacation time should encourage resort sales and marketing professionals to take heed of this potential purchasing group.”

Respondents desiring to purchase additional vacation time remain most interested in the two-bedroom configuration, with more than half (57 per cent) citing a preference for this unit type.

Purchase price, the luxury of the unit, and the annual maintenance fee commitment represent the three most influential factors in the decision making process.

Other notable findings from the profile include: • Approximately 83 percent of Interval’s U.K. members report satisfaction with their timeshare ownership; • Nearly eight out of ten acquired their timeshare interests from resort project developers and management companies; • An estimated 61 per cent of leisure travel nights are spent travelling across the U.K. and Ireland and the European continent; • The average length of a leisure holiday within Europe is estimated to be 7.5 nights; • Almost half of Interval’s U.K. members would be interested in taking a cruise during the next two years; and • U.K. members prefer relatively less trenuous activities on holiday with sightseeing, swimming, shopping, spending time in a spa and watching plays and concerts rating highly.

Wellness trend is here to stay “Health and wellness amenities are growing in popularity among timeshare owners and resorts are now using these programmes to attract new timeshare consumers unfamiliar that such vacation products exist,” says Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. Many timeshare resorts have expanded their offerings to include health and wellness components such as fitness programmes, enhanced spa services, cuisine packages, weight-loss regimens and concierge services to customise a specific healthy vacation experience.

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any think the resolve to become more mindful of one’s health is limited to a New Year’s resolution, but according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the wellness trend is here to stay throughout the year as consumers want their vacations to reflect a healthier lifestyle factor.

While the timeshare industry has long advocated the healthful benefits of regular time away to rejuvenate and relax, resort developers continue to expand their vacation products with more options and access to healthful programmes and activities.

“It makes good business sense to offer wellness programmes at our resorts, for they complement the active lifestyles of our owners and guests,” said Ed Kinney, vice president, corporate affairs and communications, Marriott Vacations Worldwide.

“Since 1984, we’ve been committed to offering relevant activities for all ages that balance our owners’ desires for relaxation and fun with staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during their vacation.”

The Wellness Center at Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas offers classes ranging from yoga and Tai Chi to water fitness and shoulder and back strengthening.

Timeshare exchange companies RCI and Interval International enable owners to experience new resorts and vacations through access to their resort member network, particularly access to international resorts where wellness programmes have been offered for a while.

Many Interval International associated properties in the Americas and the Caribbean have fitness centres and full-service spas, and those with restaurants are presenting healthier menu options, says David Gilbert, II executive vice president of resort sales and marketing, Americas.

This increased consciousness of wellness is reflected in Interval’s most recent U.S. member profile. Reporting on their preferred vacation activities, nearly half of those surveyed included working out and exercising while close to 40 percent cited spa services.

“Timeshare developers are always innovating to meet the changing demands of consumers and to offer products to make vacations more memorable,” added Nusbaum.

“That is why our owners have repeatedly given the products an 85 per cent satisfaction rating for the past five years, recognising the value of an annual vacation.”

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

CLC World ready to share success formula with resorts requiring TLC!

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usy, beautiful resorts, sun loungers set around glistening pools, gardens gorgeously landscaped, well maintained facilities, services running smoothly and efficiently, accommodations looking fresh and modern… does your resort fulfil all these criteria?

A difficult worldwide economy, and harsh economic realities in the major European markets, has made the last few years perhaps the most challenging in timeshare history.

Taking that challenge and transforming it into positive action for the industry, Club La Costa World of Resorts & Hotels (CLC World) is confident that it not only has the formula to ensure 2012 is a very good year – but is willing to share it.

The process leading up to this groundbreaking formula, has taken place alongside other changes being made which are designed to equip Club La Costa with the right name, structure and products to further strengthen its leading position.

At the same time it is continuing its programme of expanding resorts beyond Europe into the U.S.A. Other new territories are in the pipeline for this year, too.

Welcome to our world Approaching almost three decades of existence as Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels, it was felt the company name required refreshing to reflect both Club La Costa’s current standing and to take it into its next phase of growth.

Hence the word ‘World’ was added for a simple transformation to Club La Costa World Resorts & Hotels.

Keeping Club La Costa in the parent name – and retaining Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels for its timeshare members management division – has been deliberate, protecting the reputation for the brand built over many years.

Including World, expresses the company’s increasingly global ambitions.

CLC World, which has both its own travel agency and a private members’ yacht club, operates three major divisions. In addition to member management, there is CLC estates, promoting and selling primarily, but not exclusively, CLC branded holiday homes, and CLC Leisure, a new division creating rental opportunities.

Silverpoint releases new Club Paradiso website ilverpoint is expanding its suite of award-winning websites with its new Club Paradiso site.

This website features up-to-date information about the extensive portfolio of Club Paradiso resorts in a user-friendly design.

Timeshare – the evolution continues When considering what customers wanted next and what new ideas it could bring to the market, CLC World focused on what its own members had been saying and also what other timeshare owners and developers were expressing.

The comprehensive resort sections provide an informative over-view of what each of the resorts has to offer, complete with images, so guests can find out everything they need to know before they arrive.

Having listened, the executive set out to design a product for the future, which would reflect growing trends for shorter-term products combined with a stake in owning a holiday property outright.

It was also apparent that some smaller resorts were suffering from reducing incomes as members who had already used their products for many years now felt they could not see themselves paying a long time into the future.

The prospects for such resorts threatened to be bleak as dropping standards would render them less attractive to glossier competitors.

CLC World had already successfully brought a system of points to Europe in the late 1990s.

Its points based Vacation Club has proved hugely popular and its members do not want to give up the holiday flexibility that enables them to travel the world.

Pulling together these elements, the executive evolved an exciting and unique product that was launched last September at its high tech Costa del Sol sales suite.

CLC World founder and chairman Roy Peires realised that, within it, lay a great opportunity for all, one with considerable benefits attached: to revitalise distressed or ailing resorts.

For detailed information about the suites, the accommodation section offers full descriptions and a selection of photographs.

Each resort has its own temperature and weather section which updates in real time, allowing visitors to see what the weather is like in their chosen location at the time they are browsing the site.

The ‘What to Do’ sections of the website offer useful information about events and activities at each resort and surrounding area, so users can begin planning and thinking about what they want to do during their vacation before they arrive.

Club Paradiso members are able to login to the site to view exclusive content including the latest Club Paradiso and resort news.

As a result, this product is being unveiled to other founder developers and owners committees looking to invigorate their resorts and give them the kiss of life.

Any developer or owner committee keen to learn more about utilising the wide range of CLC World expertise and long years of experience as a market leader, should contact Leslie McCann Tel: 0208 906 524

The new Club Paradiso site is: http://www.clubparadiso.com The Silverpoint corporate website is: www.silverpoint.com

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ADVERTORIAL

At your leisure...

Being able to trade your holiday home for another in any one of thousands of wonderful worldwide destinations is, as millions of happy owners know, the fabulous perk of owning timeshare and being a member of a holiday exchange network. However, the world’s leading holiday exchange ser vices company, RCI, believes its members deser ve more, as Helen Foster discovered.

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or 37 years RCI has been dedicated to making sure its members have been able to enjoy the best possible holidays in the most wonderful locations. But RCI decided its members deserved more than just great holiday accommodation.

RCI listened to its members through a variety of channels, including, call centre feedback, member events, surveys and its online communities, and it became clear that they were passionate about getting the most out of their down time.

Topping the wish list was a greater variety of destinations, accommodations, holiday experiences and, of course, getting more value from their membership.

“Our members are looking for lifestyle enhancements and RCI has been working hard to bring them a range of new products and services, as well as more transparency and flexibility in their holiday planning,” says Sean Lowe, Managing Director for RCI Europe, Middle East, Africa and India.

“With the introduction of RCI Platinum Membership, we are working with a range of service providers to introduce additional benefits our members can enjoy at home, as well as on holiday. Additional holiday products, such as Cruise & Stay packages, RCI Extra Holidays and Late Deals give our members many more holiday options.”

Transparency, increased flexibility and value are at the heart of RCI’s Enhanced

“Our members are looking for lifestyle enhancements and RCI has been working hard to bring them a range of new products and services Weeks Exchange programme. Members can now see the exact trading power of their deposited weeks and compare it directly with the trading power of all available RCI holidays. By trading down, members can use one week to book multiple weeks or combine deposits to get an extra special holiday in their dream location. And the best news is, because RCI members now receive deposit credits for unused trading power which can be used for a second exchange holiday or combined with another deposit for a holiday of a higher trading

power, members are getting maximum value and choice out of their trading power.

John and Elaine Smith of Derbyshire are getting more from their RCI membership now, as they explained: “Combining our credits has given us much more holiday time. Owning at the RCI Gold Crown Royal Sunset Beach Club in Tenerife, we have been able to tag the points we had left from our first exchange on to the second week we own to get us two weeks at the Pearly Grey Ocean Club on the island, which was a lovely resort. And we still have four points left to combine again to get us more time away! Nothing is wasted.”

Bath couple, Huw and Tracy John, appreciate the flexibility of the enhancements to RCI weeks. Huw said: “Being able to carry the points from our weeks’ deposits forward is great. We plan to get better holiday accommodation in the US this year by doing this. Having three children we’re pleased with the new flexibility in holiday planning RCI gives us. Last October half term, for example, we were able to holiday Wednesday to Wednesday using only one week, whereas previously, we’d have had to use two weeks.”

The Johns are looking for more adventure and are now planning a celebratory holiday with a difference using the RCI and RCI Travel Cruise & Stay holiday option.

ADVERTORIAL

RCI Points – and now weeks members – can use trading power and points to put towards a great value cruise discount and be sailing the seas for less. To unwind after the excitement of life at sea, with onboard fun and visiting some of the world’s most fabulous ports of call, many members tag an exchange holiday in resort on to the end of their cruise. “We are exploring the variety of RCI holiday options available,” said Huw. “We’re looking at cruise and stay holidays as the best way to celebrate my 50th birthday next year and are undecided between taking two cruises with a week in resort, or one

discounts on travel such as a £50 on-board cruise credit. Additional savings benefits can also be enjoyed at home as well as on holiday, and include discounts on theatre and attraction tickets, dining and days out.

“It’s early days for us as RCI Platinum members,” said Dougie and Jackie Benn from Leeds, “but we enjoyed peace of mind using the complimentary luggage tracking service recently which, thankfully, we didn’t need to call upon! We’re booking an exchange holiday to Florida’s Orange Lake resort for my wife’s 65th birthday this

To unwind after the excitement of life at sea, with onboard fun and visiting some of the world’s most fabulous ports of call, many members tag an exchange holiday in resort on to the end of their cruise. prestige cruise and a week in resort. If we decide to take the children, it will probably be the first option, but whatever we decide, it will be a fabulous way to celebrate.”

RCI Platinum Membership is one of the latest innovations. For just £49 a year, this membership upgrade gives access to a wide range of leisure lifestyle benefits, including priority access to exchanges in highlydemanded destinations, unit upgrades if larger units are available within two weeks of check-in, Platinum Rewards of £20 on Extra Holiday bookings and £15 on the purchase of RCI Guest Certificates, exclusive

year. As eight members of our family will be coming with us, we’re certainly going to be using the RCI Platinum unit upgrade benefit to ask for an upgrade from two-bed to three-bed apartments to give us some real family space to party in.”

RCI Extra Holidays and Late Deals offer real value for money holidays with no need to use a deposit. Teaming up with its many partners, such as cottages4you and James Villas, RCI is able to offer its members a wide and diverse range of highquality accommodation all over the world at preferential rates. Apart from being a low-cost holiday option for members who are out of deposits and points, members are discovering they are also a cost-effective way to make an exchange holiday extra special.

Selby couple, Shaun and Julie Mulligan, RCI members since 1998

“...we’re certainly going to be using the RCI Platinum unit upgrade benefit to ask for an upgrade from two-bed to three-bed apartments to give us some real family space to party in.”

said: “We treat our points as a currency and even when we only have a relatively low level of points left, with access to RCI Extra Holidays and Late Deals we tag our points onto one of these RCI cash options to get some fabulous holidays. In this way we work to a budget – but it’s certainly not a budget holiday. The quality you get with RCI is far better than with a package holiday. RCI has made us quite fussy.”

Sharing the same discovery are Ian and Jenny Hall of Bath. “As our credits are based on several red weeks, we often use them to get extra weeks of less value or tag them onto an RCI Extra Holiday,” said Ian. “RCI membership has certainly made a difference to our life, giving us the opportunity to travel with our children to places that we would never have afforded to visit if we hadn’t got access to RCI Holidays.”

To learn more about the benefits of timeshare ownership with RCI membership visit www.rci.com or call 0845 60 86 380

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New european timeshare legislation - one year on Geoff Chapman, TATOC helpline director and board member, provides an update on the effects of the Directive over the past twelve months.

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he European legislation (Directive 2008/122/EC) for the ‘protection of consumers in respect of certain aspects of timeshare, long-term holiday products, resale and exchange’ was adopted by the European Parliament on October 22, 2008.

An overwhelming majority adopted the directive with 674 votes in favour, 11 against and ten abstentions. It received wide support from industry bodies, consumer representatives and government agencies, giving consumers better protection and confidence when investing in timeshare and related services.

The directive placed a requirement on all member states to transpose the legislation into their national laws by February 23, 2011.

The U.K. met this requirement with time to spare but, disappointingly, 14 member states failed to transpose the directive on time.

EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding commented: “Member states have had more than two years to do their homework. I am therefore very disappointed that some of them still fail to provide the required protection to our citizens.” The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against these Member States on March 17, 2011.

By September 29, 2011 ten of these cases had been closed with only Spain, Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania failing to implement the directive. The commission stepped up legal action against these four states.

On January 15, 2012 the commission

informed TATOC that Lithuania, Poland and Slovenia had notified transposition measures to the commission, and that only Spain was now outstanding.

Spain has informed the commission that the necessary transposition measures have not yet been adopted due to the anticipated general elections in November. No date has, therefore, been set for compliance.

The commission told TATOC it would soon begin a review of member states to examine the quality of the transposition measures notified so far.

We very much look forward to that review to ensure all EU member states have embraced both the detail and spirit of the directive.

The acid test of success - a TATOC helpline analysis

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ne year on from the required implementation date all European member states, with the exception of Spain, have implemented the new directive.

Has the new legislation made any difference?

In countries where governments have implemented the new rules there is clear evidence that reputable timeshare companies have implemented the requirements.

Certainly within all TATOC member resorts and affiliated companies implementation has been to the new requirements as a minimum standard.

This is truly great news and a genuine step forward for timeshare consumers and the reputation of the reputable industry.

But what of the rogue and disreputable companies? For this we must look to the TATOC helpline for information.

TATOC’s helpline maintains detailed records of all consumer contacts and provides analysis to direct the activities of the board and as a focus for discussion with various government agencies.

The only difficulty is that there is a natural time lag between current practices and consumers contacting the helpline (because they are typically reporting a problem that occurred some time before). However, the figures still speak for themselves.

An analysis compared the six-month period up to December 2011 with the like-for-like period one-year earlier, up to December 2010, and is based on more than 4,300 consumer contacts. The key factors are detailed below: • Overall consumer complaints are down by 31 per cent; • Total contacts about the sales and marketing of timeshare products are down by 39 per cent; • Actual complaints against the sales and marketing of timeshare products are down by 52 per cent; • Total contacts about the sales and marketing of non-timeshare products are down by 42 per cent; • Actual complaints against the sales and marketing of non- timeshare products are down by 50 per cent; • Total contacts about specific so-called ‘resale’ companies are down by 22 per cent; and • Actual complaints against specific so-called ‘re-sale’ companies are down by 26 per cent.

But not all news is good news. The helpline can see that some unscrupulous companies have studied the new regulations for loopholes and two main practices show a marked increase in consumer problems that did not receive any protection under the new directive:

* Total contacts about scam legal companies are up by 39 per cent; * Overall consumer complaints about scam legal companies are up by 180 per cent; * Total contacts about so-called ‘take-over’ companies are up by 65 per cent; and * Complaints against so-called ‘take-over’ companies are up by 77 per cent The battle to protect consumers from disreputable and fraudulent practices and to promote the good name of timeshare is clearly not over.

The good news is that, with the help of the new regulations (in which TATOC and RDO played an important role), the on-going work of reputable industry and consumer bodies and a widespread recognition that consumer experience and satisfaction are at the heart of a healthy industry, the victory is a lot closer than it was 12 months ago.

For more information on the contents of the legislation take a look under the ‘legislation’ tab on the TATOC website: www.timeshareassociation.org

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

The best events of - enjoy a thrilling spring

By Sharetime reporter

H

olidaying in the U.K. this spring?

Here are some of the events taking place around the country.

Apart from the Olympics later in the year, the U.K. celebrates the bi-centenary of Charles Dickens and the work of William Shakespeare, with a major exhibition on the bard at the British Museum.

Adventurous families can join an eight-day timber rafting holiday in Sweden, building a raft and then navigating it through the twists of the Klaralven river...

James Bond fans should head for the Beaulieu National Motor Museum where the largest collection of 007’s cars is now on display.

kids’ events, and for those stout of leg and of heart, head to The Lakes for the Keswick Mountain Festival.

Two tragedies of 100 years ago will be commemorated. The centenary of Captain Scott’s death in the Antarctic will be marked at the Natural History Museum until September 2 and the Titanic Belfast experience opens on March 31.

If you are holidaying overseas, there are many new developments too.

The Scottish Snowdrop Festival is back for another season. From March 18, more than 50 gardens across the country are offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy beautiful gardens, magnificent castles, stately homes and local exhibitions or simply step into nature and wander through the woodland.

If thrills are your thing, the tallest wing rider rollercoaster, The Swarm, opens at Thorpe Park in the spring, with an inverted drop from 127ft. And at Alton Towers, Nemesis Sub-Terra, its ‘scariest ride yet’, opens on March 24.

Also in March, bookworms should head to the south coast for a long weekend of literary events at City Reads in Brighton & Hove, or to Bath where you’ll find stimulating debates and guest speakers aplenty.

Henry VIII’s old holiday home - that’s Hampton Court Palace to you and me - hosts its own Food and Drink Festival in May, as does St Ives in Cornwall - where you’ll find coastal food foraging and the crème of locally caught seafood.

Brighton and Salisbury present a full programme of visual arts, gigs, debate and

U.K. Tourism Regulation Taskforce report published

Disneyland Paris celebrates 20 years with a new parade and nighttime show, and world horticultural spectacular Floriade 2012 opens in Venlo, Holland, on April 5. Disney will also be launching its latest Caribbean cruise ship, Disney Fantasy, on March 31.

Other new cruises include an expedition voyage around the remote outer islands of Hawaii aboard Safari Explorer with Windows on the Wild. The small luxury ship accommodates just 36 passengers.

For hikers, from April you can try the new 186-mile Rota Vicentina, in Portugal. Inntravel offers a walk taking in much of the route.

In Hollywood, Universal Studios will in the spring open Transformers: The Ride-3D - a 3D flight simulator. At Discovery Cove, in Orlando, there’s a new Freshwater Oasis, and Legoland Water Park, in Florida, opens in time for May half-term.

R

ecommendations from an independent panel for widespread deregulation of the tourism and hospitality industries have been published in the U.K. The proposals, which cover areas such as planning regulations, travel insurance, food labelling, health and safety rules, employment restrictions in the tourism sector, licensing and many other areas of concern to the industry, will now be considered across government departments.

The report was commissioned by tourism minister John Penrose and prepared by an expert group under the chairmanship of Alan Parker, president of the British Hospitality Association.

Adventurous families can join an eight-day timber rafting holiday in Sweden, building a raft and then navigating it through the twists of the Klaralven river, fishing for supper and camping.

Parker commented that tourism and hospitality were important to the U.K. economy and together formed one of the country’s largest industries and third largest export earner.

While opera buffs will love Verdi’s La Traviata on a floating stage against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House from March 24 to April 15.

“It’s also a sector that is ripe for growth,” he said, “with potential for a further half million jobs to be created by 2020.”

There was a huge opportunity that everyone in the industry wanted to be part of. Cutting red tape was one easy way the government could do to help bring this growth about.

“Bold action from the top can save businesses time and money which, for many of the small and medium size companies in our sector, can represent a make or break solution.”

The report, Smart Regulation and Economic Growth: Seizing the Tourism Opportunity is available from the RDO’s Sue McNicol on smcnicol@rdo.org

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Consumer alerts

T

ATOC has issued a number of consumer alerts over the past few months. These are featured on the TATOC and Sharetime websites and also through the TATOC Facebook page.

Supreme Services TATOC has received numerous e-mails and telephone calls concerning a marketing company trading under the name of Supreme Services with allegations that timeshare owners are being mislead.

Visions of the World, a TATOC affiliated company, has informed TATOC that Supreme Services are cold calling owners inviting them to attend an appointment at a local office to discus selling their ownership.

The telemarketers are telling owners “they have received the owners’ details from Visions of the World.”

Visions of the World has confirmed with TATOC they have no connection to Supreme Services. Members and prospective clients should only attend an appointment booked through their customer services team based at their head office in Southend on Sea, Essex.

Global Closing Services This company, registered in Philadelphia, is operating using the TATOC logo and branding in correspondence with clients.

TATOC confirms it has no connection or affiliation with this organisation. All possible action is being taken to prevent the company misleading clients that it is linked with TATOC in any way.

Nationwide Title Transfer This company, based in Clearwater, Florida, has included the TATOC logo on its website to add credibility to its service.

Once again, TATOC confirms that Nationwide Title Transfer is not a TATOC affiliate and has no dealings with the

Cruise industry announce operational safety review association at any level. The company is not entitled to use the TATOC logo in any marketing or promotional materials.

TATOC will be undertaking the necessary actions to have the logo removed from the website as soon as possible.

TS Consultants This company alleged late last year that it was part of TATOC platinum affiliate, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket.

The team at Worldwide has confirmed that this is not the case and TS Consultants has no connection with Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket.

From TATOC’s own investigations TS Consultants say they are a marketing company that arranges meetings between timeshare owners and an investment company.

At these meetings they assure consumers they will receive an unconditional offer for their timeshare and a possible upgraded offer if they participate in certain investment opportunities.

TS Consultants operate from 220 Ashley Rd, Hale, Cheshire, WA15 9SR. Two other companies also use this address:

· Invicta Solutions and · Supreme Services (see earlier alert)

Timeshare Intervals Ltd The exchange company RCI reports that Timeshare Intervals Limited, which has its registered office in Ipswich, England, is making unauthorised use of RCI’s logo on its website www.timeshareintervals.co.uk.

RCI stresses that it has no relationship or link whatsoever with Timeshare Intervals and that Timeshare Intervals has no right to display RCI’s logo.

I

n response to the Concordia incident the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), speaking on behalf of the global cruise lines industry, has announced the launch of an operational safety review.

It will include a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.

As best practices are identified, they will be shared among CLIA members and appropriate recommendations will be shared and recommendations will be made on an on-going basis.

Key components of the review include: • An internal review by CLIA members of their own operational safety practices and procedures concerning issues of navigation, evacuation, emergency training, and related practices and procedures.

• Consultation with independent external experts.

• Identification and sharing of industry best practices and policies, as well as possible recommendations for substantive regulatory changes to further improve the industry’s operational safety.

• Collaboration with governments and regulatory bodies to implement any necessary regulatory changes.

While the cruise industry has an outstanding safety record, CLIA is fully committed to understanding the factors that contributed to the Concordia incident and is proactively responding to all maritime safety issues.

The safety review will enable the industry to do so in a meaningful and expedited manner.

New panel to sharpen focus on aviation consumers

T

he U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is setting up a 12-person consumer panel. Its aim: to put the consumer at the heart of its work.

The panel is being set up to give the CAA a sharper focus on how its regulatory activity affects passengers, and on how it can best support the aviation industry to deliver choice and value for current and future aviation consumers.

To be effective in its work, the panel will act

as a critical friend to the CAA, providing oversight and advice on the CAA’s regulatory approach. The panel will be sufficiently independent to hold the CAA to account while not incurring unnecessary administrative costs.

Dame Deirdre Hutton, CAA chair, said the panel would provide a consumer perspective on all aspects of the CAA’s work.

“But its main focus will be on how regulation affects the everyday passenger experience. We want the panel to shine a

light on the passenger experience of air travel and suggest practical solutions to problems they identify.

“We recognise that to be effective, it is important it has sufficient independence to challenge the CAA when it needs to, with the freedom to stand up for consumers’ interests.”

The CAA is currently seeking applicants for the role of chair of the new panel and expects an appointment in Spring 2012, with the panel up and running soon after.

Conference preview The eagerly awaited 2012 TATOC annual conference takes place from March 9 -11 at the Park Royal Hotel, Warrington.

W

ith the theme of ‘Meeting the Challenge’, the aim of the conference is to examine the challenges that are affecting the industry - and then suggest and discuss possible solutions.

“This is not a conference that looks backwards at what has been and mourning the past,” said Harry Taylor, TATOC executive chairman. “It is a conference where new solutions are developed, thoughts are shared and views exchanged.”

The event begins on Friday evening with a drinks reception allowing delegates to start their networking early. This is followed by dinner in the hotel’s restaurant for delegates and their partners.

The conference sessions start at 9am on Saturday morning with Geoff Chapman providing a summary of TATOC’s activities over the past twelve months with a focus on the helpline.

During the day there will also be a number of break out sessions where conference sponsors have the chance to give personal presentations to delegates. “This is something that is always popular and delegates get the

“This is not a conference that looks backwards at what has been and mourning the past, it is a conference where new solutions are developed, thoughts are shared and views exchanged.” chance to meet with our sponsors to find out about new products, hear the latest news and interact with the team,” said Harry Taylor.

A gala dinner for all delegates completes Saturday and includes after dinner entertainment and a holiday raffle with prizes donated by TATOC affiliates and speakers.

The conference reconvenes on Sunday morning at 9am and continues through to 12pm. Once the conference is closed, the TATOC annual general meeting takes place.

This is open to all TATOC member resorts.

Speakers and topics Professor Buhalis Bournemouth University Keynote address: The challenges brought by the E-tourism revolution.

The Internet has emerged as a pervasive and robust platform for tourism destination distribution and management. Only resorts, organisations and destinations, that can take full advantage of the opportunities will be able to capitalise on the benefits and enhance their competitiveness.

Simon Jackson Chief executive, Macdonald Resorts Ltd. The importance of a comprehensive exit strategy

Suzana Gomercic Vice president of European resort operations, Diamond Resorts International The challenges facing today’s management team

Industry panel As with previous conferences, the afternoon will include a question and answer session with a panel of industry experts including: Phil Watson (Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket), Dimitris Manikis (RCI Europe), Linda Freer (Resort Solutions), Suzana Gomercic (Diamond Resorts International), Robin Mills (Aroma), Simon Jackson (Macdonald Resorts) and Paul Mattimoe (Perspective International).

The panel will discuss the key challenges facing the timeshare industry today and suggest how these can be addressed.

The Venue The Park Royal Hotel has been the chosen venue for the TATOC conference for three years. And for good reason.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, superb leisure and spa facilities and excellent dining opportunities. It has access to the M56 just one-mile away, Manchester airport is 14 miles away and the M6 and M62 are within easy reach.

Accommodation and all meals are included in the delegate fee.

Sponsors Susan Crook Director of legal services & European general counsel, Diamond Resorts International The impact of the E.U. Timeshare Directive, one year on

Lisa Ann Schreier The Timeshare Crusader and regular coloumnist for Sharetime.

Timeshare isn’t rocket science

TATOC would like to thank the conference sponsors whose support is crucial.

Platinum sponsors: Diamond Resorts Dial an Exchange Perspective Magazine RCI Europe Silverpoint Aroma Gold sponsors: Interval International Silver sponsors: Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket

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My world of holiday adventure Timeshare ownership unleashed Joan Kearney’s inner adventurer. Here Joan shares some of the most memorable holiday experiences she has enjoyed, travelling the world with RCI.

J

oan Kearney has always been passionate about travel and this independent divorcee made sure her son, Mark, grew up with the same appreciation for the wonders the world holds for the curious mind.

Using her RCI membership, she and Mark enjoyed many holidays together. Once he was old enough, a week’s timeshare in Antigua was the perfect gift for Mark from his Mum. “I wanted him to see the world and share the experience with friends,” she explained.

“Through travel I’ve discovered that I have a real sense of adventure – not for me lying around on a beach all day!”

After joining RCI in 1991 when she bought a week at Club Tarahal, in Tenerife, Joan immediately exchanged for a week in Acapulco, in Mexico, and loved it so much she bought a second week of timeshare, there and then at the resort.

As a sales representative for a publishing house, Joan made many friends during her career and some became her travelling companions. One of them, Caroline,

accompanied her on that first RCI holiday to Acapulco, where she famously overcame her fear of water to reach the ‘swim to’ pool bar at their resort!

Safari so good!

South Africa’s Transvaal stands out as a truly spectacular exchange holiday destination for Joan. She and friend, Julie, stayed at the Kruger Park Lodge, on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park. Though the holiday was back in August 1999, she remembers it as if it were yesterday.

“It definitely had to be a safari,” she says.

“We decided to plan the safari ourselves and took off in our hire car through the park.

It was the most exhausting but enjoyable experience. You really do have to go off road to see the ‘big five’ and so we booked an official tour through the helpful staff at our resort.”

It proved to be the trip of a lifetime: “There were just six of us on the early morning safari, together with an assortment of African wildlife, of course. We were about to return when our guide got a radio call to say lions were in the area - so he changed course and got us right in among the pride.

“We couldn’t believe it! The alpha male stayed back and put himself between our jeep and the cubs to protect them. Then, just as we were relaxing, a gazelle-like animal leapt out in front of us followed by a lioness and we actually got to see the ‘kill’!

“The cubs quickly scrambled and fought comically with each other to get to the meat.

It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and the guide said it was a rare experience.”

After unwinding in sleepy Hazyview, a small town close to the resort, and taking in the local crafts and restaurants, the adventurers drove to Zimbabwe, stopping along the way to explore. “It was quite scary knowing there were animals out there in the long grass, but we had the reward of a helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls at the end of our trip.”

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Incredible India Summer 2007 saw Joan in search of tigers with friend Sue in India. The intrepid duo found their tigers at Ranthambore National Park… and a whole lot more besides.

“India was like no other place on earth.

“Being part of such a different way of life was, genuinely, a once in a lifetime experience. There were animals on the streets and a blaze of colour everywhere.

“We did the ‘Lady Diana’ pose on the bench at the Taj Mahal and wondered at its unearthly beauty at sunset; we rode rickshaws in Delhi and couldn’t believe how fast they went carrying all our weight; visited Humayun’s Tomb, a monument to Delhi’s past, built to defend the imperial city of the Mughal emperor, and we bought Indian emeralds in Jaipur.”

Before the week was out, Joan had discovered how cheap the taxis were in Goa and she was off again exploring the local sights, visiting hidden waterfalls, bathing with monkeys in hilltop lagoons — just everyday life on a Joan Kearney holiday!

After that kaleidoscope of Indian life, Joan admitted a highlight of her holiday was getting to the Royal Goan Beach Club resort, at Benaulim, in Goa. She and her friend flew to Goa for some well-deserved R&R where this self-confessed action girl found herself glad to have a beautiful beach to lie on.

New Zealand is on Joan’s travel agenda for 2012, plus a return to Florida and the theme parks — this time with her grandson.

She said: “Being a timeshare owner and RCI member has made an incredible difference to my life. I just couldn’t keep going back to the same place and I will never be able to do enough travelling.”

“That resort and the nearby beaches were the perfect antidote to the excitement of our tour week. We shared the beaches with meandering cattle!

To learn more about RCI visit www.rci.com. If you wish to discuss membership please call 08456 086 338 and an RCI Guide will get back to you within 24 hours.

New holiday destinations for exchange

M

ore than 50 resorts joined the RCI holiday exchange network last year bringing many exciting new timeshare holiday destinations and experiences to its members. Here are just some of the latest additions to the RCI affiliated-resort portfolio.

Holiday Club Saimaa in Finland is a recently opened spa hotel and is perfect for a relaxing break. It benefits from a peaceful setting, located by the side of Lake Saimaa in Rauha.

On resort there are saunas, hot tubs and pools in the relaxation area while, for the active, there is an onsite gym and bowling alley. The city of Imatra is just 10 minutes drive away.

Sonmez Falezyum Residence is located in the Antalya region on the upmarket Turkish Riviera. The area boasts glamorous marinas, sandy beaches, golf courses and pine-clad mountains, and the resort is very warm and welcoming with a generous helping of traditional Turkish hospitality.

Also in Turkey is Club Onat Garden. With indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas and a fitness centre, this resort is a great base for exploring Dalaman. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and getting there is easy – flights are year-round and Club Onat is only around 15 minutes from the airport.

Castello Izzalini is situated In the popular yearround Italian destination of Todi in Umbria.

Housed in a converted 13th century fortress, the accommodation comprises 15 elegant studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The on-resort facilities feature delicious Italian cuisine in the restaurant, a wine cantina, clubhouse, bar and bistro restaurant.

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Barnsdale – success in difficult times Sharetime met with Barnsdale Country Club resort manager Russell Waters to find out how a mature resort is handling the challenges of today’s economy and discover how, with marketing techniques and offering value for money, resorts can continue to succeed and grow.

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Barnsdale hasn’t been exempt from the economic downturn and we have had some defaulters. But we have tried to handle these with compassion, working with them and the committee to find a way to assist. This might mean renting out their week to cover the outstanding maintenance fees.

hether it was amazing vision or just good old-fashioned luck is subject for much speculation. But when the chairman of Barnsdale purchased the original hunting lodge with plans to turn it into timeshare accommodation, magnificent Rutland Water didn’t even exist.

Indeed the reservoir - Europe’s largest wasn’t created until 1976. It’s located just outside Oakham, and is now a centre for bird watching, watersports and cycling, Today, Barnsdale Country Club is one of the most established and successful mixeduse resorts in the U.K. Set in conservation parkland overlooking Rutland Water, the resort has the most breathtaking views and is the focus of many of the area’s leisure and sporting activities.

Barnsdale was always meant to be a timeshare resort. The chairman had come across the concept on holiday abroad and brought the idea to Rutland.

While it was an initial success, the recession in the 1980’s meant that timeshare sales were affected so a hotel was built and corporate bookings ensured the resort survived and grew.

Once the recession had passed timeshare sales came back, new accommodation was built in the form of A- and AA- frame lodges and when the leisure facilities were developed, timeshare really took off. The resort was affiliated to RCI in 1992.

The key to our ongoing success has been the concession we give to owners using the leisure centre facilities.

All owners have unlimited access throughout the year, not just during their week of

They can now rent or book accommodation through this site, order one of our various welcome packages and even take an online visual tour of the resort. ownership, to the resort’s leisure facilities. This can save a family over £1,400 per year – and they still enjoy their week’s holiday, which they can use or exchange.

Many resorts have withdrawn this benefit but it has worked for Barnsdale as we see the spin-offs in increased food and beverage, attendance at events and increased loyalty.

We offer members a ten per cent discount on all food and beverage bills and, as so many of our members are local (80 per cent of owners live within 40 minutes of the resort) this is a benefit with real value.

Of course, our leisure centre manager is not always happy! Many leisure club members become timeshare owners because of the savings they can make.

These are timeshare sales without any effort – just word of mouth in the sauna or by the pool. This can mean in busy times that the leisure centre is busy, but it also means that the facilities are being used every day of the week.

As a result we keep our owners happy, the maintenance fee is covered and we might even get a new sale from the person who rents the accommodation. We also offer a re-sale service to our owners.

It is essential that, as a resort, we don’t stand still. We keep changing to reflect the needs of our owners, guests and leisure centre users.

We have added new exercise classes, created a new glossy eight-page brochure and developed and improved the website. We realised that many of our owners and guests expect to have on-line access.

They can now rent or book accommodation through this site, order one of our various welcome packages and even take an on-line visual tour of the resort.

With increased utility costs we have also re-introduced meters in the lodges. Once the cost for electricity reaches a certain limit we inform the guest so there are no surprises when they check out and they can monitor their usage. Our new computer system helps us with this. When the unit is empty we turn everything off to keep costs down.

Weddings continue to be big business for the resort with over 100 ceremonies during 2011 although bookings for 2012 are down a little.

We have also started advertising timeshare sales again. We have taken full-page advertisements in lifestyle magazines that promote Rutland and the surrounding regions.

We feature our low season weeks and include six months’ RCI membership. With the leisure centre concession as well, it is a very exciting package and the results have been great.

The relationship we have with our 2,500 owners and the committee is critical for our on-going success. They understand that we

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

About Russell Waters

I have a long history in hospitality and my top tips for today’s resort is to adapt to the market, listen to your customers and never have all your eggs in one basket! can only continue to refurbish the apartments if we have more owners and the maintenance fees are paid.

In 2011 we up-dated five kitchens and bathrooms to a high specification. The committee understands that sales activity is required and has a passion to see that Barnsdale meets its potential as a leading U.K. resort.

We send brochures to our exchange guests; fliers with incentive packages are sent to conference attendees, wedding guests or left in hotel rooms. In the past 12 months, around 100 weeks were sold, 70 per cent being re-sale inventory.

stop complacency. Our timeshare occupancy has remained at over 90 per cent and this has been really helpful when our hotel occupancy levels have fallen.

The mixed-use model has worked for us and helped us ride out the recession.”

Further information about Barnsdale Country Club can be found at: www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk or by telephoning 01572 725148.

When I first joined Barnsdale over four years ago, the resort was on the verge of losing its Gold Crown status. We worked closely with RCI, and still do, and we turned the resort round in four months.

I have a long history in hospitality and my top tips for today’s resort is to adapt to the market, listen to your customers and never have all your eggs in one basket!

Don’t rely on one supplier, shop around and

Following years on the ‘shop floor’ learning the technical skills and attributes of the hospitality market, it wasn’t long before a career was established. After working for a number of national and international hotel brands senior management at GM level finally came.

The chance to operate, direct and empower people was a new and exciting role, giving total autonomy. With the added experience from working with several large industry giants and worthy independents this allowed my own management style to develop.

With a comprehensive range of markets - from conference and exhibitions, country house, city centre, leisure, golf and spa - this paved the way to facilitate into the hotel and timeshare markets, a very versatile, demanding but equally exciting and rewarding field of sociability.

This relationship continues to be important to us. Our success is based on stopping a “them and us” mentality between the hotel and timeshare staff. All our staff members are multi-skilled and work on both projects. This has meant we have a high staff retention rate and there is a real feeling of teamwork.

Today we have weeks available for sale from as little as £2000. With 17 years left on the lease this is a value for money price. We are finding that younger families are visiting Rutland and Barnsdale and we are looking at new shorter-term products that will be of more interest to this market. There will be more to come on this soon.

From the very start of fulltime employment the hospitality industry beckoned, attracted by the social glamour and being paid to exchange ideas and information while being passionate about achieving the very best.

Barnsdale Country Club offers: 66 hotel bedrooms, 49 timeshare units, bars and restaurant, conference facilities, helipad, fully air-conditioned gym, 22-metre pool, sauna and steam room, two spa pools, six tennis courts, crazy golf, nine hole pitch’n’putt, two squash courts, fitness studio, football pitch, artificial bowls lawn, snooker table, boules court and The Spa Experience.

In the Rutland area: Sailing, bird watching, fly fishing, falconry, golf, cycle hire, gardens. Museums, stately homes, art galleries and historic market towns.

19

Changing lives at Christel House

by Fred Crouch, TATOC board member & committee chairman of Langdale

T

he first time I heard about Christel House was at the TATOC conference in 2010 when Vivienne Noyes Thomas spoke about the work of the organisation and we raised over £4000 through the raffle and donations.

My ears pricked up when she spoke about the schools, especially the one based in Cape Town, as South Africa is a country I know very well and visit often.

My wife Sheila had been a teacher in the U.K. for many years and was very interested in the educational goals and achievements of the project. Fortunately, we kept in touch with Vivienne and were delighted when she asked us if we would like to visit the school when we were next in Cape Town.

I am fortunate to have visited several ‘developing countries’ and have despaired at the lack of everything we take for granted, but probably most of all the waste of useful lives with nothing available to improve their education and opportunities.

Our day at the school started at 10am when we met with Ronald Fortune and Midge Hilton-Green, heads of the high and junior schools respectively, and Sharon Williams, head of publicity and marketing.

We were keen to learn what Christel House seeks to achieve in setting up schools in deprived areas around the world, how it achieves its aims and why it has been successful when other similar projects have failed.

is no guarantee of being fed anytime at home.

Our tour started with the reception class. All teaching is in English but in reception there is a translator so they understand and learn English at this time. At this early stage they are given a beaker and toothbrush so that even at this point the school teaches them about daily hygiene such as washing hands after the toilet.

I then went on to a maths lesson and the standard of teaching was superb.

Christel House has been given great support from IT companies such as Dell. As such there are some great technical resources such as interactive whiteboards and plenty of computers.

Sheila visited two English lessons and was impressed by the level of intensity and attention to detail from grammar to the analysis of the novel the class was reading.

The rapport the teacher had with her students was excellent and to a level which any teacher would be proud of.

There is a wide range of subjects taught and while the focus is on academic work, there is a wide range of practical subjects taught as well and plenty of art, music and sport, too. Indeed one pupil we met had already represented South Africa at a junior level.

There is permanent medical support on site and two full time social workers who pick up on any problems at home and intervene if there is any suggestion of abuse.

Sheila visited two English lessons and was impressed by the level of intensity and attention to detail from grammar to the analysis of the novel the class was reading.

Our first question was about selection – who gets to come to the school. It is clear that while there is a certain level of selection it is not on an academic basis.

The children are collected in the morning by buses from the different townships, brought to the school and given breakfast.

They are all kitted out with uniforms, shoes and school bag and fed during the day as there

At all times, the children are encouraged to achieve their aims and dreams and it pays off.

Attendance at the school is over 99 per cent and nearly all the children successfully matriculate (graduate). But it doesn’t stop there.

The intention of the Christel House team is to see these children as they go through university and then support them until

they are financially stable. It is hoped that these success stories will then become adult ambassadors and support the school themselves.

What is clear is that the success of Christel House is due to the amazingly high standard of teaching and the enthusiasm, support and dedication of the teaching staff.

With the motto of ‘we can do it’, it is not just the children who work hard. The staff take shorter holidays, work longer hours and even contribute to the funding of the school from their pay.

The whole visit was enriching, the ethos admirable and the achievements, both academically and morally, outstanding.

Dell, RCI, British Airways, FedEx, Perspectives and ARDA are huge benefactors but the aim is to become self-supporting.

Unlike many charity schools, the children return home every night. This means they do not lose contact with their families and it is expected that they will hand down what they have learnt to their families.

At the end of our tour we were taken to two of the pupils’ homes. These were basic shacks where up to eight people slept.

We could not believe the amount of time the two head teachers gave us. Teaching is such a difficult job these days and in the U.K. many posts go unfilled. Too many masters and government intervention!

The whole visit was enriching, the ethos admirable and the achievements, both academically and morally, outstanding.

The coming together of funding, the directed enthusiasm of both staff and students, and a clear set of ideals were very uplifting.

It was a privilege to meet everyone associated with the school and the memory is something that will stay with us always. I almost felt Sheila wanted to get back into the teaching harness once more – that was a real achievement!

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Wise words from across the pond

by Lisa Ann Schreier, the timeshare crusader

W

D

elcome to 2012. I hope that for all timeshare owners it will be the year in which you regain power, understand what vacation ownership is all about and enjoy your holidays.

ial an Exchange, the world’s largest independently owned holiday exchange company, has enhanced its product offering with the launch of Dial An Exchange Rentals.

I’m looking forward to making my first ‘timeshare trip’ to the U.K. in March to speak at the annual TATOC Conference, visit some U.K. resorts and expand my knowledge base of timeshare which, until now, has been limited to the U.S.A.

There was also continued chatter and fights about the legalities of unlicensed timeshare re-sales (most timeshares in the U.S. are deeded and therefore fall into ‘real estate’ which requires a license and payment of commission).

In the U.S., timeshare owners are dealing with the same problems and issues that have been around for years. These include increasing maintenance fees, the proliferation of scam companies promising a quick fix, the implementation of outrageous age stipulations on purchasers of ‘secondary market’ timeshares and, of course, the decline in supposed value of so-called ‘used timeshare.’

Truth be told, I am tired of this. The way I see, it, licensed or unlicensed is NOT the key issue. The central problem is the promise that companies are making to confused timeshare owners about supposed buyers and fees charged to advertise.

I started 2011 on a cautiously optimistic note but, unfortunately, ended on a less than optimistic one. 2011 was full of ‘same old, same old’ on all timeshare fronts.

Lots of people did lots of talking about new ways of doing things, only to end up with just that: lots of talking.

There were companies and organisations that claimed to be on the consumers’ side, but made their money selling and renting timeshares.

Dial An Exchange launches new rental programme

The biggest issue of all is that so few timeshare resorts will buy back their own weeks/points, which creates a sense of worthlessness to current and potential owners.

Having spent 12 years in the U.S. timeshare industry, it seems to me that TATOC is doing the only logical thing: working for the timeshare consumer outside the jurisdiction and possible conflict of interests of a larger body.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming months. Who knows, the future of The Timeshare Crusader may very well be in the U.K.!

“Dial An Exchange has always offered both choice and flexibility to all who work with us, whether you are a timeshare owner, a resort or industry partner. 2012 will see us working hard to improve our service, choice and flexibility and this will start with our brand new product, Dial An Exchange Rentals,” explained Paula Vickers, resort services manager.

The new rental service means Dial An Exchange members will enjoy a greater choice of destinations and holiday dates than ever before. Members can choose any week across Europe from the rental pool including nontimeshare resorts. “This opens up a whole new range of previously difficult to access dates or locations – and we guarantee that Dial An Exchange will never rent a week that has been deposited for exchange,” continued Ms Vickers.

And there are additional opportunities for resorts too. Resort partners can take advantage of the rental package that sits alongside the traditional exchange platform. Resorts can market their excess inventory on a rental basis to the 350 000 Dial An Exchange members worldwide, unlocking a potentially enormous new revenue stream.

Ms Vickers added, “All that Dial An Exchange asks for in return is a competitively priced rental rate. We believe that with an innovative mix of both exchange and rental offerings, Dial An Exchange are the perfect partner to drive your organisation forward.”

To find out more about the Dial An exchange rental programme, contact Paula Vickers on 01756 747087 or paula@dialanexchange.com

RDO and ARDA announce new relationship

T

he Resort Development Organisation (RDO) has welcomed a new co-operative working alliance with American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Each organisation will retain its own identity.

However, they will seek to co-operate on issues of common concern in order to advance the growth of the timeshare industry worldwide, the interests of their members, and the consumers they serve.

“The underlying basis for the working relationship between RDO and ARDA is to establish in the eyes of our respective memberships, a stronger partnership between

the two organisations. Both will retain their full autonomy and financial independence,” said Richard McIntosh, chairman of RDO, welcoming the agreement.

opportunities for both organisations to share industry information with its respective developer communities and prospective travellers.

“In today’s global environment, timeshare is a growing portal to the world for vacationers,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “Establishing a better exchange of information with RDO will bring value to our members who have resorts around the world and to owners who are increasingly looking to destinations abroad for their timeshare vacations,” he said.

Co-operative efforts will include identifying opportunities at both organisations’ upcoming international-themed conventions – ARDA World and RDO 3 – to reach new members and address relevant topics.

In recognition of a growing, global timeshare owner market, the agreement aims to explore

These include membership standards and enforcement issues; joint approaches to jurisdictions which do not as yet have timeshare legislation nor an effective trade association; and joint marketing opportunities.

21

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A concept that evolved out of change Although timeshare was the best method of pegging holiday costs over the past 30 years, flexibility was limited, even with the exchange organisations. A new product presence was needed which had all the positive attributes of timeshare but none of the negatives. The need was met with the formation of AROMA in December 2010.

Adding AROMA AROMA falls within the timeshare industry but it is not timesharing in the true sense.

It is a holiday club whose members receive certain rights which enable them to holiday in many destinations throughout the world.

Members of the club do not acquire individual timeshare weeks but purchase holiday points.

Each week of holiday accommodation is valued on a points basis - from week 1 to week 52 throughout the year, resort by resort. The number of points required for each week depends on the time of the year, the quality of the resort and the number of bedrooms per unit.

account and it continues to grow until you withdraw it, as and when you need to and however much you need.

Each year you are re-credited with the number of points that you have acquired.The points are held to the credit of the member’s account and can be accumulated for up to three years. At any time the member can make a reservation and his account will be debited with the number of points required for the particular unit in the particular resort of his choice.

AROMA’s policy has been to acquire holiday properties mainly in the peak holiday periods and at the moment, a high percentage of the points held are in peak periods.

Conversion of a Timeshare Week AROMA has a unique facility allowing timeshare owners to trade in their timeshare in the name of the club for points to the value of the week - a useful option as needs change.

current market value of their unit and they could purchase additional points which would be added to their trade-in enabling them to holiday during school holiday periods.

The couple with the three-bedroom unit would have a large number of points, enabling them to take four or five out-of-season holiday weeks. Alternatively they could give points to their children or surrender surplus points back to the club.

The AROMA system is the most flexible holiday option available and allows you to holiday anywhere and anytime, in any size unit. The choice is yours.

The industry is moving more and more to the points system and the majority of the sales within the timeshare industry are on a points basis. Club Leisure Group, pioneer of the points system, has shown phenomenal growth over the last 25 years.

No restriction is placed on the number of points the member may acquire and the member may purchase additional points at any time. The total of the members’ points in the club is represented by the asset made up of holiday accommodation owned by the club. Once the member has been allocated points he can book a holiday.

For example. a young, newly married couple bought an out-of-season studio week at a cost of possibly £5 000, while a family man acquired a large, three bedroom unit in peak season at a cost of £30 000. Ten years later, the couple now have three children and the other family’s children have all left home.

Ideally the two families now need to swop each other’s weeks.

In February 2011, a new directive in respect of timeshare and long term holiday products came into force around Europe.This directive has been welcomed by Aroma as it finally allows for a level playing field within the industry, it has slowed sales down considerably as many entities struggle to adapt, however Aroma believes that it was exactly what was needed in the industry and has always been a firm supporter of considerable consumer protection and Aroma really is now in a position to be the Club of our time....

The system can easily be compared with that of a bank, where you deposit money into an

With AROMA, the family with a studio unit would be allocated points amounting to the

www.aroma.eu.com

24

SHARETIME

Finding a new solution to an age-old problem

By Lee Woodward of the Timeshare Channel

If you have owned your timeshare for some time, you’ll know this scenario well.

In a mature market when the resort you own at is fully sold, the developer is unwilling to take back weeks from owners who no longer want to own them or cannot afford the ongoing maintenance charges.

The simple reason is that developers can’t risk not receiving maintenance fee payments as the financial burden is then passed to other owners. This is especially the case when the developer has ceased any sales activity and has no distribution outlet for the returned weeks.

So the owners look elsewhere for a solution with the unfortunate result that unscrupulous companies make money from up-front fees with promises of sales and rentals they will never deliver.

In many cases, owners are simply in a position where their travel plans and lifestyle have changed. Increasing maintenance fees mean they can no longer see the benefit of the original product they purchased years ago.

What is required is a new vision - and more choices for owners and resorts.

The current situation with timeshare re-sales could be seen as de-valuing the product and with an industry that does not have the best reputation, finding new buyers is always going to be a difficult challenge.

However rather than just focusing on the sale of the week, is it not a better idea to work with owners and resorts to find a solution that works for them both?

Lee Woodward and the Timeshare Channel The Timeshare Channel was set up to help timeshare owners reengage with what they purchased and support mature resorts with little or no sales activity to sell unsold or returned inventory.

The team has been involved in the industry since 1992, with experience at all levels from sales and marketing to project direction and resort development.

Says Lee Woodward: “I came back to the industry and realised that owners are looking to sell timeshare with little way of getting help from companies without huge up-front fees, finding only a handful of companies in the U.K. able to help. Timeshare is a great product and it needs a new way to handling the old problem of those who no longer want to own – whatever they reason for that might be.”

Shouldn’t mature resorts, exchange companies and marketing and sales organisations work together to develop a quality product that ensures satisfied owners continue to use and enjoy their ownership for years to come?

If owners want to sell, then they should be able to do this with as little risk as possible.

But before deciding on that route, why not explore other options with them?

After all, just because a timeshare owner wishes to sell his or her timeshare or cannot afford the maintenance fees does not mean

Let’s re-visit the reasons why the customer purchased timeshare, remind them of the benefits of ownership and exchange, listen to the problems they may have and then improve their ownership experience.

Is it not better for the owner and the industry as a whole if we try to help timeshare owners re-engage with what they have purchased and find an alternative solution?

they are no longer taking holidays. It might just mean they can no longer travel to their overseas resort or afford an exchange to somewhere in the U.K.

So what choices should be available to owners and resorts?

The first must be to keep owners using their resort, maintaining their ownership and reminding them of their original reason for purchase. This would include enhancing the timeshare exchange proposition.

Let’s re-visit the reasons why the customer purchased timeshare, remind them of the benefits of ownership and exchange, listen to the problems they may have and then improve their ownership experience.

So we should talk to owners and educate them again on the benefits of their timeshare and how it can fit in with their holiday requirements today. For resorts with no or very little sales presence, companies should assist them in this education process, help them reach out to their owners and convince them to keep their ownership.

The second should be to sell the week safely without the fears of paying upfront fees with no guarantee of results.

Another option should be making it easy for owners to rent out their weeks using the services of a third party rental company to cover the costs of the maintenance fees.

Finally, and only if the other options are not suitable, owners should be able to relinquish their ownership in a safe and timely way that protects the resort and the owner.

To provide these services, it is essential that timeshare companies help and assist owners with everything relating to their ownership.

From dis-satisfied owners looking to relinquish their weeks to happy members who would like to add more to their memberships without paying exorbitant fees, it is essential that timeshare companies address all the issues.

By finding a range of solutions, developers, re-sale businesses and marketers can develop a quality product with satisfied members that will last the test of time.

For any further information, please contact Lee Woodward on 01637 800056 or visit the website at www.timesharechannel.co.uk

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Is timeshare the perfect lifestyle accessory?

With travel companies branding holidays as a ‘lifestyle’, Terry Lee, of TATOC affiliates LiveShareTravel, thinks shared ownership is perhaps the best representation of this.

E

ach year it’s the same – post Christmas television advertising brings a mix of sales, DIY goods and seductive travel destinations.

But this January, the hard-bitten travel industry took a slightly different approach. Not only did they cut back on the number of adverts, but where they did appear there were far fewer ads about specific destinations.

Instead they focused on their glossy holiday lifestyle offerings. There were Louise Redknapp’s seductive voiceovers to Thomas Cook’s dreamy sunsets, cruise companies selling a luxurious life at sea, and First Choice lauding the lifestyle benefits of its all-inclusive holidays.

The reasons for this focus on holidays are clear: our holiday choices are starting to say much about us as people, our personalities and aspirations – and travel companies want to capitalise on this.

Over the last 20 years our expectations of holidays have changed and continue to do so. The days of being grateful for a simple week or two in the sun are gone. Now people want choice, quality, experiences, and generally have high expectations.

With life financially challenging and stressful for many, people are looking to recover from the daily grind to recharge their batteries. Families obviously want value for money when on holiday, but not at the expense of standards or quality.

Excuse me for preaching to the converted, but I’d say the lifestyle benefits of shared ownership include:

Recent stats from Google* revealed that 92 per cent of travellers research on-line before making a holiday purchase. They check reviews from independent sources to help decide where to spend their money.

• Providing accommodation that includes a kitchen, dining table, living rooms, as well as one-, two- or more bedrooms as standard. Hotels can’t compete.

So you can bet they’re researching your resort on-line before visiting or deciding to buy there.

• Knowing in advance what to expect in terms of location, quality and overall experience.

• A host of lifestyle benefits and unusual experiences from spas and lifestyle concierges to harvesting your own olive oil at agro tourism resorts in Italy.

• Not having to fear arriving at half-built or dilapidated hotel.

• Resorts where the staff know you personally and greet you as a friend.

• Strong communities creating lasting friendships.

• Owners having a say in the running of their resort.

• Young children enjoying the stability of knowing where they’re going and what to expect.

• Exchange and travelling anywhere in the world, knowing that you’ll find accommodation of a similar quality to your home resort.

Independent reviews are now vitally important to consumers who want to hear from trusted third-party sources or view NON in-house marketing videos before making a purchase.

On-line content is available permanently, unlike print publications which are thrown away within days and sometimes hours of being read. Meanwhile, readership figures for traditional newspapers and magazines are plummeting year on year as ‘media savvy’ consumers move on-line.

Holidaymakers are far more discerning than they once were and are seeking all the lifestyle benefits offered by timeshare and fractional resorts.

So it’s important that when they search online they find positive information from a source that fits with their lifestyle. *Google’s clickstream research whitepaper, August 2011.

At LiveShareTravel.com we tell the world about great timeshare and fractional products.

And this is where timeshare needs to stake its claim as the value for money, family friendly choice – offering great quality, convenience, flexibility and affordability, especially for those on tightened budgets.

All too often we hear negative stories harking back to 20 or more years ago or refer to scam companies that don’t even sell shared ownership products. Yet shared ownership has a fabulous story to share. So we’re setting the record straight and telling the real story.

If holidays are the perfect lifestyle accessory then the quality and convenience of timeshare makes it the perfect travel lifestyle product.

However, the industry must speak to current owners and tomorrows’ buyers in the places people look for their information – on-line.

Scan this QR code to fi nd some positive news.

25

26

SHARETIME

ABTA report highlights value for money holidays

VisitBritain focuses on friends and family

V

isitBritain has called upon the British public to invite their friends and relatives from around the world to visit the U.K. in 2012.

H

olidaymakers in 2012 will be seeking value for money but not necessarily the cheapest holiday.

While the mid-market is expected to be squeezed, holidays offering an authentic or specialist experience, and luxury and all-inclusive breaks are set to be popular.

These trends emerge from the Travel Trends Report for 2012, developed by ABTA in association with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said that 2011 had been a challenging year but the British public has shown resilience when it came to their holidays and a similar picture was expected in 2012.

“The squeeze on household spending looks set to continue and this is likely to see holidaymakers become more discerning about where they spend their money and what they get for it,” he said.

This presented a good opportunity for travel companies to offer tailored, specialist and authentic experiences, as well as all-inclusive packages for the budget conscious.

Some key trends ABTA has identified: Growth in demand for specialist holidays.

Cruising, adventure, exploration, learning and activity holidays are all expected to do well in 2012 as holidaymakers seek new experiences underpinned by value for money.

Holidaymakers are also expected to seek out destinations that have a strong and authentic sense of location, in everything from food and setting to excursions and entertainment.

Luxury and budget breaks expected to perform well.

With the mid-market coming under the greatest pressure from reductions in household spending, strongest demand is expected to come from the budget and luxury markets in 2012.

Baby boomers set to fuel the market.

Ten per cent of over 55s took more than four foreign holidays in 2011 and this trend is set to continue.

Changes afoot on the high street.

High street bookings had something of a comeback in 2011. While consolidation saw overall shop numbers decline, bookings

were up, with 25 per cent of the public booking their foreign holiday on the high street compared to 17 per cent in 2010.

In 2012 several major travel companies are expanding their high street presence and companies will invest in improving the instore experience.

Tried and tested destinations likely to be popular.

In times of economic uncertainty many people put their faith where they know best.

Early booking figures for summer 2012 suggest that destinations such as France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the U.S.A. will all prove popular.

More weddings abroad.

One in five couples currently marries overseas with an average saving of £12,500 on a U.K. wedding; with pressures on budgets and a focus on value for money, many more couples are expected to say ‘I do’ abroad in 2012.

In the report ABTA has also identified its “hot destinations” for 2012. A mixture of long-, mid- and short-haul destinations, they give a taste of both holiday favourites and countries offering something different.

They include Jordan, Colombia, Cape Verde and Poland/Ukraine.

Lynda St Cooke from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Reading up on the local laws and customs before you go will help you get the best out of your trip.”

If tourists want to avoid potential pitfalls such as being arrested for something that isn’t illegal back home, being the victim of a local scam, or unwittingly causing offence to the locals, then checking out Foreign Office travel advice in advance is strongly recommended.

Holidaymakers faced a number of issues in 2011 - from natural disasters to significant political events.

“We can’t always predict when crises will happen which is why British travellers need to be prepared for every eventuality when they go overseas - taking out travel insurance and telling someone back home exactly where you’re going is a good start.”

The rallying cry for the nation to get involved is the latest phase of the national tourism agency’s ‘GREAT Britain – You’re Invited’ marketing programme and follows a similar invitation from celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Dame Judi Dench and Matt Smith.

Under the slogan ‘Share Your GREAT Britain’, the public, local communities and businesses across the country are being encouraged to use a free online toolkit that allowing them to personalise their greetings and invite their global network to the U.K. for their next holiday.

Aids available free of charge include a ’10 great reasons’ app on VisitBritain’s highly popular LoveU.K. Facebook page, along with a personalised postcard that can be downloaded from visitbritain.org.

International friends or relatives who receive an invitation will be entered into a draw to win two return flights to the U.K., while anyone sending an invite has the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Launching the campaign, tourism minister John Penrose said: “This is an innovative and personal way of encouraging more visitors to the U.K. and comes at a time when we want to ensure Britain is top of everyone’s holiday wish list.

Said Sandie Dawe, executive of VisitBritain: “Working in partnership with the industry we aim to re-invigorate our appeal in core markets. Our goal is to deliver four million visitors over four years who will spend an additional £2 billion.

A free tourism industry toolkit, available on www.visitbritain.org, is being provided to businesses across Britain.

This will enable them to tailor adverts and newsletter templates in their own communications, thereby extending the reach of the invitation and inspiring more regional travel.

With one in four visits to the U.K. last year coming from people visiting friends and relatives (VFR), the ‘Share Your GREAT Britain’ campaign aims to build on the £3.6 billion that VFR already contributes to the economy each year.

VisitBritain research shows VFR visitors are most likely to come from Ireland, France and the U.S.A., while Australians (£831), Canadians (£513) and Americans (£453) have the highest average spend per visit.

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Life in the day of: Peter Lydford Commercial manager for

H

ow many times have we woken, gone to work in the same industry for years and wished we could do something different?

All too soon we realise we’re ‘stuck in a rut’, looking at the job market - and realising our knowledge and skills are restricting our chances to break away.

For 20 years I have been involved within the food processing and packaging industry.

I’ve dealt with customers the world over, travelling the globe working on various projects, using an aeroplane as an hotel for the night as I jet from LA to Sydney to Tokyo and back to London.

It sounds glamorous but poultry processing plants in South Africa are the same as those in North Dakota: cold and damp.

Trust me, after watching the first few million chickens meet their doom they all look the same to me!

Then in September 2011 it all changed.

I had the opportunity to do something different, and only a mile away from where I live in South Suffolk.

them anymore for one reason or another.

And that’s where we help.

Friends or new customers often ask me what we are and what we do. My usual answer is we are an estate agent for timeshare owners.

We help sellers to sell their timeshare through newspapers, TV, our website, Google and so on and we try to find them a buyer.

Then we broker a deal between the two parties and handle the conveyancing, all in-house.

So a day in the new life of me? The office opens at 9am and being only a mile away means I can be fighting with the duvet as late as 8am – luxury. If the weather is horrible I’ll probably give my two boys a treat and drive them to school, something I’d never done previously. Otherwise I’ll walk across the old railway line and through the water meadows to the office.

First task of the day is to check the overnight enquiries, normally e-mails, see where they’re from and allocate them to various members of staff to handle.

We deal with English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Baltics and Scandinavian customers, so there is a wide variety of cultures to cater for. We then deal with any outstanding customer issues, ensuring they are handled quickly and professionally.

With timeshare being seen as a dirty word and the various scam companies making life difficult, we have to ensure our customers are comfortable with what we do - and with us.

We have a real office with real people and are not just an on-line company. We are more than happy for anyone to pop in and see us.

Now while the timeshare he now owns is a superb top quality product it has cost him £83,000. Its true value is nearer £25,000.

This is what I hate about the industry and we’ll do what we can to help him.

The afternoons are normally spent discussing the future advertising plans, reviewing results from previous adverts and planning where we are best to advertise.

Everyone is involved in this process and his or her input is listened to. Everyone is kept abreast of the progress and success stories.

We also focus on the ‘black art’ of Internet advertising: Google Adwords, SEO, PPC, eBay, banners etc., but that’s a whole story on its own.

The best part of my day? Getting a new customer to buy a timeshare, and knowing they’ve bought a product they actually want and will use at a price that is fair - and receiving a letter of thanks from the seller.

So what do I think to the industry? It’s been tarnished somewhat badly over the years by high initial purchase prices with false promises and scam companies simply taking advantage of people who are vulnerable.

Travel and Leisure are TATOC and RDO members; we pride ourselves on being open and honest with people.

Raising the profile of timeshare ownership is the key to success, and probably the hardest task we all have. But together it can be done.

I try not to take work home. Being able to ‘switch off’ is not a bad thing, but it’s not always possible.

All too soon we realise we’re ‘stuck in a rut’, looking at the job market - and realising our knowledge and skills are restricting our chances to break away.

Mr and Mrs Mills, owners of Travel and Leisure, were looking for someone who could manage their business on a day-to-day basis giving them the opportunity to relax, take time out and enjoy themselves.

What did I know about the timeshare industry? In a word - nothing. I’d heard the horror stories as we all have. But I always look at a business as two fundamental parts, the customers and the employees.

The industry is what holds those parts together. Being impartial and not having been ‘brainwashed’ by coming from within the timeshare industry was some of the appeal for Mrs Mills.

I’ve learned a lot about timeshare and how people use them, why they buy them and why they sell them. Selling is generally because they don’t have the ability to use

A few weeks ago a 72-year-old young man did just that. He popped in to discuss the sale of his timeshare. The following is true and it’s the sort of story that we all dread.

While on holiday he had been sold a timeshare with the usual ‘promise’ that it would go up in value and they could guarantee renting it out in the first year.

So he handed over £30,000 and in return received back £3,000 as the first year’s rent.

So far so good you may think. So did he.

He had spent £27,000 on the ‘promise’ that, after a year, it would be worth more than his initial investment.

A while later he was convinced to part exchange his timeshare for another, of course with some additional investment. So another £30,000 later and with an unsecured personal loan of £25,000 (arranged by the seller/scammer) he came to us.

Ryanair to create over 1,000 new jobs in 2012, as fleet grows from 270 to 305 aircraft

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yanair has confirmed that it will create over 1,000 new jobs in 2012 for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and sales/marketing staff, as its fleet grows from 270 to 305 aircraft, based throughout Europe.

Already in 2012, Ryanair has announced five new bases in Billund (Denmark), Wroclaw (Poland), Palma (Spain), Manchester (U.K.) and Paphos (Cyprus).

Ryanair expects its traffic to grow from 76m passengers in 2011 to 80m in 2012.

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ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Face behind the business PROFILE

Committee tips

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ATOC is here to support and represent timeshare committees who give up so much of their time on a voluntary basis to ensure that their fellow members continue to enjoy holidays year after year. Here are some tips to make their jobs a little easier.

Don’t get fined The British Hospitality Association is encouraging those in the industry to make sure their employees are allowed to work.

Employing someone who is not allowed to work in the U.K. is illegal.

As an employer, resorts have a duty to prevent illegal working by carrying out document checks on people to make sure they have the right to work in the U.K. before they are employed.

If the management company does not carry out these checks and the resort is found employing an illegal worker, the U.K. Border Agency will take tough action including a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker or up to two years in prison.

To avoid a fine there are three steps resorts and management companies must follow: • Ask for and take copies of original, acceptable documents showing the holder is allowed to work before employing them.

• Satisfy yourself that the documents presented are genuine and that the person presenting them is both the rightful holder and allowed to do the type of work you are offering.

• If a person you employ has a time limit on their stay then you must carry out repeat checks at least once every 12 months.

Support and detailed guidance on how to carry out checks to prevent illegal working, and to avoid a fine, is available on the U.K. Border Agency website and on the Business Link website or by calling the U.K. Border Agency’s Sponsorship and Employers’ Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Name: Simon Jackson Company: Macdonald Hotels & Resorts Position: CEO Resides: Scotland Nature of business: Hotel & Resort group Email: simon.jackson@macdonaldhotels.co.uk Website: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Multi-skill your maintenance team How efficient is your maintenance team?

• Do they always get the job done quickly and efficiently?

• Are they multi skilled?

• Would they benefit from additional training to improve the service they provide?

The NVQ in maintenance operations covers the full range of maintenance and repair work including: plumbing, tiling, joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, tiling and domestic drainage. Training can be tailored to suit the individual’s needs – and those of the resort.

It’s a win, win situation. Your employee achieves a nationally recognised qualification and your resort is employing a more competent member of staff.

And here’s the best bit. Subject to eligibility criteria, the training is FREE, so won’t affect your training budget.

TATOC will be looking into staff training in a later issue of Sharetime.

Is your resort ready for the Olympics?

In preparation for the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games a new guidance document for business has been created ‘Preparing your Business for the Games’.

The document is available on line and will be kept under constant review as we move ever closer towards the games.

“Preparing your Business for the Games” can be found here: www.london2012.com/documents/business/ preparing-your-business-for-the-games.pdf

FAVOURITE THINGS: Location?

Florida Shop?

Majestic Wine!

Restaurant?

I have several but the top three are: Del Frisco’s Grille, New York City, Rias Baixas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Morton’s Steak House, Orlando, Florida.

TV Programmes?

Films: I like anything on the Discovery Channel usually and my two favourite films of all time are The Shawshank Redemption and Casino Actor?

Robert De Niro Actress?

Cameron Diaz / Sharon Stone Musicians?

Anything Modern CD. Holiday Resort?

Orlando and in particular the Signature Villas @ Orange Lake Resort, Florida – you must try them Food?

A good rib eye steak or sole menuere Drinks?

Gin (with plenty in) & tonic Business icon?

Jack Welch (General Motors) and Sir Alan Sugar: both are inspirational Business?

Tesco for what it has achieved in such a short time and the best customer loyalty scheme ever!

Website? www.linkedin.com Newspaper and magazine?

Telegraph, Caterer Magazine and, of course, Sharetime!

Sport?

Football mad Sports Team?

Leeds United Hobbies?

Family, travel, fine wine, skiing, horse racing and all things Spanish With whom would you like to be stuck on an island with?

My wife because quite simply she inspires me greatly Personal description?

I like to live life to the full, and believe that you get out of life what you put in.

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Dubrovnik Sun Gardens resort joins The Registry Collection programme

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ituated on the coast near to the village of Orašac, the resort is 20 minutes from Old Town Dubrovnik and 45 minutes from Dubrovnik International Airport.

The resort has its own private beach, 13 bars and restaurants, three pools and an extensive sports club. It also has large and flexible meeting spaces with capacity for up to 900 delegates.

The resort complex includes a 201-room contemporary Radisson Blu hotel. Its The Spa by OCCO recently won the Spa Traveller Awards for ‘Best International New Spa’.

The whole-ownership development comprises 207 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences offering both garden and sea-views of the Adriatic. The first 25 units have now been released for sale.

Prices range from €170,000 (£149,000) to €555,000 (£488,000). Mortgages of up to 60 per cent are available with Erste Bank on a 15-year term at a fixed 6.6 per cent interest rate which, coupled with peak season occupancy rates of 95 per cent and rental returns of four per cent, are expected to make

purchases as popular with investors as those a holiday home in the sun.

Now in its third season of operation, the resort was recently recognised by Overseas Property Professional Magazine as Best Developer in Southern Europe. An independent panel of 50 industry leaders from around the world selected winners.

This is the first phase of a planned three-phase development which will see the addition of another five-star, 130 key hotel and a further 200 Residential keys. Owners will be able to enjoy the benefits of affiliation to The Registry Collection, giving them the opportunity to stay at a choice of more than 180 luxury properties around the world.

Interval International adds Cape Verde resort to exchange network

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nterval International has affiliated The Resort Group Vacation Club based in Cape Verde, a group of ten islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 350 miles off the coast of Western Africa.

The first resort to be included in the multisite club is the Tortuga Beach Resort & Spa situated on Sal, one of the islands in the Cape Verde archipelago. Two other resorts are currently under construction, both on Sal Island.

The Resort Group Vacation Club comprises spacious two-bedroom apartments at the Tortuga Beach Resort and also includes a hotel managed by Meliá Hotels & Resorts, together with additional apartments and private villas.

Each vacation club apartment has a private terrace or balcony, an Italian kitchen, and an open-plan living area with a 42-inch TV.

“The Cape Verde islands, already a favourite destination of British, Portuguese, Italian, and German tourists, are gaining renown as an international destination,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval’s senior vice president of resort sales and business development.

“Sal is the most developed of the islands and the setting of Tortuga Beach Resort & Spa makes the most of the island’s natural beauty.”

In addition to ocean views and a pristine white-sand beach (a nesting site for turtles), the lushly landscaped resort offers a range of luxury amenities, including an adult pool with a swim-up bar and children’s pool, YHi Spa, a state-of-the-art gym, and several restaurants and bars.

“Sal Island is one of the world’s most idyllic locations,” said Adam Ellis, marketing director of The Resort Group Vacation Club. ”We look forward to sharing it with Interval International members.”

Registry Collection celebrates 10-year anniversary

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he Registry Collection, RCI’s luxury exchange programme, is this year celebrating ten years of sending members on holidays around the world.

Launched in 2002 as the first-ever luxury leisure real estate exchange company, it has grown to encompass more than 180 affiliated properties on six continents that are either accessible for exchange or under development, making it the largest luxury exchange program in the world.

More than 33,000 members now belong to The Registry Collection, which allows them to exchange for holidays year after year.

“The Registry Collection has grown and developed substantially since its creation a decade ago, and there are many reasons to celebrate this special milestone,” said Gregg Anderson, global vice president of The Registry Collection.

“The fun will continue with events, giveaways and activities to celebrate the success the programme has had in its first decade,” continued Anderson.

“We’ll highlight original members and affiliated resorts, and make some exciting announcements about the future of the program that will benefit both our members and our developer partners.”

Throughout the celebration, there is also a call for photos and stories from members of The Registry Collection.

Members from all over the world are encouraged to submit their favourite photos and memories of their holidays through the program for possible inclusion in newsletters and websites.

For more information on The Registry Collection program, visit www.theregistrycollection.com

ISSUE 9 • Winter/Spring 2012

Positive reaction for GNEX 2012

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online marketing data were also key aspects of the expo.

ery positive responses continue to flow in from delegates who attended Perspective Magazine’s second annual Global Networking Expo, GNEX 2012 – The Global Meeting Of Minds, in early February at the Ritz Carlton Cancun in Cancun, Mexico.

The event attracted 177 timeshare and fractional industry professionals representing 91 companies who came together to share best practices, discuss new development projects and provide an open debate on topics such as the potential for Latin America, the need to adapt products to meet changing consumer behaviour and the effect of regulation, re-sales and transfer companies on the vacation ownership industry.

“Every industry in order to survive and grow must promote innovation and entrepreneurialism with fresh blood and creative thinking. I and many others feel that GNEX is the platform to lead the way for our present and our future,” said Mel Grant, President and CEO, SFX Preferred Resorts.

“It was a trend setting gathering of some of the best minds in Timeshare. I was privileged to be one of the panellists,” added industry legal veteran Roger Burk, of John Rogers Burk, A Law Corporation who was instrumental in the creation of the Private Residence Club concept in the 1990s in the United States.

The sessions began as Craig Morganson, CEO, Holiday Systems International provided an update on the U.S. Travel Warning for Mexico, announcing that funding has been secured for the Rand Corporation to conduct research to quantify the effect of the Warning on commerce, including tourism-related businesses. Morganson expects the results of the research to support his efforts to have the U.S. government downgrade the Travel Warning, which would lessen its impact and create more demand for travel to Mexico.

“We have over one million legal border crossings per day between the U.S. and Mexico, with the Tijuana border crossing being the busiest border crossing in the world. So we’re talking about a friendly nation with a lot more good happening than bad,” said Morganson.

Overall, panellists in the Global Predictions For Shared Ownership session portrayed an optimistic view for the industry in 2012 with Asia, the Middle East and Latin America leading the way, followed by cautious optimism in North America and Australia while Europe continues to struggle.

Panellists on the Investment Potential For Latin America panel agreed that the combination of the economic downturn with the Warning has had a negative impact on U.S. leisure travel to Mexico, but there has been a lift from other areas as travellers from countries such as the U.K., Canada, Russia and Brazil visit Mexico.

The Caribbean has also benefitted from travellers looking to the region and the consensus is that, with low costs and a favourable regulatory environment, now is the time to invest in Latin America.

David Gilbert, Executive Vice President for Interval International, provided an “Insight Into The U.S. Consumer” with statistics showing that the Caribbean continues to be the region of choice for its members traveling internationally.

Keynote speaker John Spence, CEO, The Karma Royal Group gave an electric presentation discussing his move from booking agent for 1980s music bands such as Culture Club and Bananarama to resort entrepreneur, creating one of the most successful shared ownership resort companies in the world.

Additional panels touched on topics such as the effect of the European Union Timeshare Directive, the need for resorts to create viable take-back programs, competition for the exchange companies and the challenge from “pay as you go” travel options to current vacation ownership products.

An update on the state of the fractional industry, the need to adjust products to the new demands of today’s consumer, changes to sales tactics and the importance of analysing

Speed Networking shifted into high gear as delegates engaged under the thatched Palapas for high energy, one-on-one business introductions followed by a Beach Club Party where attendees continued their conversations under the stars.

GNEX 2012 also included the Perspective Magazine Awards Gala dinner, where 42 winners were announced from nearly 150 nominations in a wide variety of categories such as Best Timeshare Resort, Best Fractional Unit and Entrepreneur of the Year. A full list of award winners can be viewed at: http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex/ category/2012/#awards.

Dates Announced For GNEX 2013 Timeshare and Fractional Industry Expo The Global Networking Expo GNEX 2013 – The Global Meeting Of Minds will be coming to the United States for the first time.

The event will make its first foray into the United States at the world famous Beverly Wilshire – a Four Seasons Hotel - in Beverly Hills, California during February 4-6, 2013.

“Where else would we want to roll out the red carpet, American-style than at the home of the stars, Beverly Hills?” said Paul Mattimoe, president and CEO, Perspective International. “GNEX 2013 will continue to provide more innovative networking sessions and events with fantastic speakers from around the world, plus we’ll be adding spectacular social events that only Hollywood can deliver.”

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Survey reveals Britons’ Olympic travel plans

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esearch shows that 12 per cent of Britons intend to go abroad specifically to avoid the London Olympic Games, according to Travel Weekly, a trade publication.

A further nine per cent are looking to go on holiday somewhere in the U.K. free from Olympics fever.

The older generation appears to be the least keen on staying in the U.K. with 22 per cent of over-65s and 18 per cent of 55-64 year olds planning to head overseas.

More than a quarter (28 per cent) of Londoners are considering changing their holiday plans due to the Olympics. Nearly half say they will take time off throughout the games and 77 per cent say they will be staying in the capital during the two weeks.

London and other Olympic venues.

A further five million are expected to take time off to watch the games on TV. Overall 40 per cent of consumers are expected to take time off whether at home or abroad during the Games.

Almost a third of people (30 per cent) say they plan to ignore the Olympics completely, while 31 per cent will not take time off during the proceedings even though they are looking forward to them.

The most fervent Olympics fans are the youngest with 38 per cent of 15-24 year olds saying they are excited, compared to 28 per cent of over 55s.

The findings come from an ABTAcommissioned poll of 2,018 people six months ahead of the start of the games, which run from July 27 to August 12.

ABTA head of communications Victoria Bacon said: “With only months to go until one of the biggest sporting events in our country’s history, it’s clear that hundreds of thousands, especially the young, will be taking time off to enjoy London 2012.

The study shows that around 2.5 million people expect to take time off work to attend events in or around the games in

“However, for those who don’t love sports or want to escape the crowds, going abroad will provide a welcome alternative.”

Top tips to save money for your resort

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ith money saving in mind, Sharetime has asked our members for their top money saving tips:

• LED bulbs are expensive but will save a fortune on electricity bills

• Turn off TV’s whenever not in use.

• Limit the temperature on the air conditioning units to 21 • Recycle and reuse materials whenever possible

Last year ABTA set up its own Red Tape Taskforce inviting feedback from members about the biggest areas of unnecessary bureaucracy burdening their businesses.

ABTA proposed a number of key areas for action, including the removal of travel insurance sales from FSA regulation and the adoption of a sensible approach to the implementation of money laundering laws impacting on members selling foreign currency.

The taskforce’s report has been put forward to tourism minister John Penrose.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said that the association strongly supported the minister’s drive to cut red tape in tourism.

“We call on him now to accept these sensible recommendations and ensure that the government takes concrete steps to stamp out these unnecessary and bureaucratic rules. All ABTA proposals would make a very real difference to members’ businesses.”

In particular, “the removal of travel insurance sales from FSA regulation would improve customer choice and ensure that more consumers travel insured.”

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• Insulate, insulate, insulate!

• If guests are bored with the same pictures and ornaments, swap with another unit they’ll love it!

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BTA proposals to scrap unnecessary bureaucracy currently impacting U.K. travel businesses have been endorsed by the tourism taskforce set up to analyse the situation.

Melfort Village news

• Save money by sending out as much correspondence by email. Langdale saved over £4,000 per year by emailing reports, notices, newsletters, AGM papers and minutes

• Recycle everything - save a fortune on notepads by using scrap paper; re-use apartment equipment in staff quarters.

Plans to cut red tape welcomed

Did you know?

• Turning off your PC and monitor in the evening could save £39/year per person • Keeping blinds open and turning off lights when there is enough daylight, or when areas are unoccupied could save more than £10/year per person • Reduce the temperature by just one degree and save over £4/year per person

• Install water savers on all taps

• Using Skype, phone or video conferencing to avoid four car journeys could save £150/year

• Don’t change towels when they have not been used or on the days when a change of towel is not programmed

• Reducing paper use by only printing when needed, and printing double sided could save £20/year each per person

elfort Village has received RCI’s Gold Crown Award for the fifth year running.

The resort achieved considerably higher scores than the average scores for European and U.K. resorts.

Indeed many RCI guests gave the resort the highest possible scores in all the categories.

For 2012, the resort’s The Shower of Herring Inn has new operators, offering family friendly service and a Monday Music Night. Here locals and guests can socialise and enjoy traditional and folk music.

The resort’s upgraded pool and gym facilities have been complimented by the additional of a Jacuzzi hot tub perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy day touring the wonderful scenery Argyll has to offer.

Melfort Village has enjoyed very successful rentals and sales programmes over the past year. Check out the website or the Facebook page for some unbeatable prices and deals.