Resort Development Organisation

Applicability of new Timeshare Directive to Fractional Ownership

The new ‘Timeshare Directive’ is to be implemented into national law across the European Union by 23 February 2011. Some countries have implemented the Directive already, notably France, others such as the UK and Finland, have recently issued draft proposals for new laws and several are consulting interested parties.

Have you been defrauded?

Timeshare owners who have been defrauded by Resale Firms*, Holiday Clubs, Cash Back Schemes, Class Actions, Fly Buys*, etc. should contact RDO’s Enforcement team on enforcement@rdo.org as soon as possible.

Stop press -- police make arrest in Spain

Brussels 8th July 2010 - The police in Spain have arrested a person behind fraudulent timeshare resale company Benedetti & Asociados. This company, which operated from offices on the Costa Del Sol, targeted Spanish timeshare owners and RDO has received a number of complaints about its activities this year. The arrest follows a report that RDO’s enforcement team sent to the police in Marbella.

AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM RDO (RESORT DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION) TO THE PRESS RELEASE OF JUNE 15: “TIMESHARE INDUSTRY IN SPAIN IS SET TO COLLAPSE”

Brussels 15th June 2010 - Contrary to the statement made by Claims Directive, a company located in Arguineguín Gran Canaria that claims to represent timeshare owners’ interests, the timeshare industry both in Spain, the rest of Europe and USA as well as other international territories is extremely robust.

RDO TURNS UP THE HEAT ON RESALE AND HOLIDAY CLUB FRAUDSTERS

Brussels 29th March 2010 - As part on an ongoing campaign to help stamp out fraudulent practices targeted at timeshare owners, RDO (Resort Development Organisation), the trade body for timeshare and fractional ownership, is calling for consumers to come forward with their complaints.

RDO ups the ante by enforcing Timeshare Anti-Fraud Campaign

Brussels 8th February 2010 - Increased crack-downs on bogus holiday clubs and tighter measures to combat rogue operators are just some of the ways RDO is actively working to protect consumers.

Timeshare may have taken off faster in the States, but across the pond European consumers are becoming much more aware of the options, value and flexibility that shared ownership can offer.

FSOTA announces special introductory membership offer

Brussels 9th October 2009 - FSOTA (Fractional & Shared Ownership Trade Association) announced today a special introductory offer for new members. Companies that join the FSOTA between now and 1st February 2010 will receive full membership of the association at 1,216 Euros per year. This price is frozen for a 2 year period.

Membership of the Association is open to businesses involved directly or indirectly in the fractional and shared ownership industry and which adhere to the Rules of the Association and its Code of Conduct.

Bogus holiday clubs warning

Brussels 19th August 2009 - An ex-police inspector is leading a project organised by RDO (Resort Development Organisation) to warn consumers about the dangers of bogus discount travel membership clubs - more commonly known as holiday clubs - and fraudulent resale companies.

The project aims to draw attention to unscrupulous companies that deliberately deceive consumers and pressurise them into signing up to membership of a holiday club or a resale scheme.

European timeshare: Happy owners and a year round boost to regional economies

Brussels 27th May 2009 - There are over 1.5 million timeshare owners in Europe and the vast majority *(87%) are happy with their holidays, with almost three quarters thinking that their timeshare accommodation is better than other self-catering holidays they have taken, with quality of accommodation the most important consideration for owners.

Fractional Ownership Body Joins Newly Renamed RDO

Brussels 22nd April 2009 - The Fractional and Shared Ownership Trade Association (FSOTA) has become a member of the trade body for vacation ownership, Resort Development Organisation (RDO). RDO promotes best practice and fair trading in the industry while protecting consumers through its code of conduct. While remaining a stand-alone association, FSOTA members are now bound by this code.

Name Change for Timeshare Organisation

Brussels 25th March - OTE (Organisation for Timeshare in Europe) announced today that it has changed its name to Resort Development Organisation (RDO). The new name is reflective of developments in the vacation ownership industry, which has changed dramatically since the 1960s when timeshare was first sold, giving the consumer a fixed week at one resort. Since then new forms of vacation ownership have emerged giving the consumer more flexibility and choice, such as ‘floating weeks’*, the points system* and, more recently, fractional ownership*, private residence clubs*, destination clubs* and condo hotels*.

OFT Seeks Evidence of Timeshare Resale Scams

Brussels 5th February - The OFT is appealing for complaints from timeshare owners who have received unsolicited approaches by scammers claiming to be resale agents and promising a 'guaranteed buyer' and a high price for their unwanted timeshare.

The OFT is aware that many owners have already lost hundreds of pounds to bogus timeshare resale companies with some having also been conned into paying thousands of pounds to obtain bogus holiday club membership on the basis of false promises.

Typical complaints state that the owner of a timeshare has been subject to an unsolicited telephone call by a bogus timeshare resale company which claims that a 'definite buyer' has been found for their timeshare and that an above market offer has been made to buy it.

New OTE Chairman

Brussels 18th November - The Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) - representing Europe’s leading timeshare operators – has announced the appointment of Hilton’s Richard McIntosh as Chairman.

Richard McIntosh is Managing Director of Hilton International Grand Vacations Company (HIGVC) which operates five resorts in Europe and the Middle East, – three in Scotland including Craigendarroch, one in Vilamoura in Portugal, and a licensed resort in Egypt. HIGVC trades as the EMEA division of Hilton Grand Vacations Club, which operates a network of over 40 resorts in the USA.