RDO’s Enforcement Programme
As well as promoting vacation ownership to the media and other opinion formers, RDO works with governments and consumer associations around Europe to ensure that the interests of the industry and those of timeshare owners are safeguarded when new laws are introduced. One of its key priorities is to help protect owners targeted by fraudsters operating on the fringes of the industry – usually bogus resale companies, holiday clubs or even self styled ‘class action’ schemes. These companies are becoming more and more prevalent and are causing owners to lose considerable sums of money. Not withstanding this, such activities also damage the reputation of...
RDO5 2014 Conference Round-Up
Following the summer holidays, the Resort Development Organisation (RDO) was ready to welcome everybody at RDO5 2014 Conference "Stronger Together". Here are some of the event highlights of this year’s conference:- Inspirational speakers outline the paths to a successful brand A brand is not a logo, it is a promise, and promises must be kept. That was the message from brand consultant BJ Cunningham, who kick-started RDO5 with a thought-provoking session about “the power of telling the truth”. A brand is about showing the authentic soul of an organisation, according to Cunningham. Delegates were told they should be very clear about what their...
RDO YouTube Promotional Video
RDO has added a new video to the official RDO YouTube channel as part of its ongoing social media drive to educate the public about the benefits of the timeshare lifestyle. In the video, RDO chief executive Paul Gardner-Bougaard highlights the role the Resort Development Organisation plays within the industry as the official trade association for all the major developers in the EU who offer timeshare, and explains why it is important that consumers only purchase from RDO member companies. Describing the timeshare product itself, Paul says: “In terms of the quality of accommodation and experience, we don’t think it can be bettered...
RDO Statement on Timeshare Exits
There has recently been increasing media speculation and comment over timeshare owners’ ability to exit their timeshare as they grow older and can no longer enjoy their holidays. The timeshare trade body, RDO (Resort Development Organisation) and the timeshare owners association, TATOC (The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees) have been working closely over the last two years to find solutions for owners who have an urgent need to dispose of their timeshare. At the outset, both organisations were mindful of the fact that the recession has taken its toll and that there was in part an ageing demographic amongst some owner...
Remembering our friend Ron Haylock: The Music Room at Christel House
Ron Haylock was not just a legend in the shared ownership industry, he was a special friend to many of us who worked with him at RDO, RCI, ARDA and TATOC. His enthusiasm for life was undeniably contagious – a few of his favourite things included food, wine, nature, music and, last but never least, giving back. Now it is our turn to give back to a man of many passions, whose work with the Christel House charity in South Africa and encouragement to the students at the Cape Town School were so important. Ron’s love of music lives on...
Around The World In 80 Days… An Adventure in Timeshare
As part of an ongoing strategy to make use of creative content as an integral part of their marketing mix, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket are about to embark on a virtual round-the-world adventure to promote their eXpectations Holidays points product. Echoing Jules Vern’s famous novel “Around The World In Eighty Days” the team are using 80,000 points to circumnavigate the globe, an imaginative idea that is gaining a lot of interest from within the Industry. “We’re hoping the journey will create some very engaging content that will educate and inspire new and existing owners alike. The concept also allows us to demonstrate the...
Three arrested in alleged €600,000 Fuengirola fraud
Spanish based consumer association MindTimeshare is pleased to report that three people who were behind nine companies that had allegedly defrauded hundreds of European timeshare owners were arrested last year. This followed a report lodged with the police in Fuengirola by Mindtimeshare. The companies' alleged modus operandi involved cold calling timeshare owners purporting to be calling from a Spanish law office and informing them that a case had been ruled in the Spanish courts against their resort and that a pot of money had been set aside for ‘victims’. On submission of fake documents to the timeshare owner, a payment of...
European Timeshare Leaders Create a New Task Force
The leading businesses and bodies in the European timeshare sector have launched a new initiative to tackle issues that potentially affect hundreds of thousands of timeshare owners and consumers; the initiative also signifies a new era reflecting the great strides forward that the industry has taken in quality and integrity. The Timeshare Task Force brings together RDO’s own enforcement operation, resorts, timeshare owners, consumer organisations and law enforcement agencies to achieve common goals. At the top of the priority list is tackling the rogues that have been defrauding timeshare owners and consumers to the tune of millions of Euros. These fraudulent businesses...
The sharing economy: Newcomers and old-timers share learnings
A breakfast event to be held in London on 19 November will be asking many probing questions about the sharing economy. Hosted by Collaborative Consumption Europe, speakers and panellists include Matt Holmes of RCI and The Registry Collection, and up for debate will be how new and old businesses in the shared-ownership sector can work together for growth. Collaborative Consumption Europe (CCE) is a network for people participating and contributing to the sharing economy, from business founders and influencers, to journalists and investors. The Networking Series of events was launched and is chaired by Debbie Wosskow, CEO of Love Home Swap...
CLC World Resorts & Hotels And Interval Leisure Group Partner In European Resort Management Joint Venture
CLC World Resorts & Hotels (“CLC World”) and Interval Leisure Group (“ILG”) (Nasdaq: IILG) have entered into a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture resort management company that will be based in the United Kingdom. ILG will acquire a 75.5 percent ownership stake in the resulting new entity, VRI Europe Limited. Roy Peires, Founder and Chairman, CLC World Resorts & Hotels, said “Partnering with ILG in this exciting venture will strengthen our expansion strategy as we continue adding to our resorts’ portfolio worldwide, enabling us also to offer our products and expertise to an even wider spectrum of clients. Our...