Eze directors sentenced to prison
On March 21st, Eze Europe Ltd director Dominic O'Reilly was sentenced to 28 months in prison and his daughter Stephanie to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. Both were also banned from becoming company directors for nine and six years respectively. Last November, Dominic O'Reilly and Stephanie O'Reilly had pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 relating to misrepresentation regarding the selling of "Leisure Credits" or 'Concierge Services", a so-called holiday and lifestyle product, as well as connected purported legal assistance to timeshare owners. In sentencing, Her Honour Judge Laurence Creed said that the O’Reillys...
Member Relations Manager for EUROC is appointed
The Board of EUROC is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Gilmartin as the Member Relations Manager for EUROC (European Resort Owners’ Coalition). Jane has an extensive career in timeshare and the holiday industry generally, stretching back to 1996 where she worked amongst other things as an overseas tour manager in Europe, Canada and the USA. She spent three years with Sunterra as a team leader before it was taken over by Diamond Resorts International (DRI) which then led her to working for its related travel partner; The Big Journey Company as Operations Manager. With a brief spell in Human Resources, she...
Important advice re increasing risks related to timeshare claims businesses
On 22 February 2019, purported timeshare claims specialist’ businesses Meredith Pritchard Consultants Ltd. and First Law Solutions Ltd. were wound up in the UK High Court following action by UK authorities. The Insolvency Service presented petitions to the court on the grounds that both companies traded with a lack of commercial probity by failing to provide contracted services in a timely manner or at all. This included accepting payments in respect of non-viable claims, charging excessive fees, and using misleading and aggressive sales techniques. Losses to consumers deceived by the businesses are believed to be in excess of half a million...
EUROC, the new association representing the interests of timeshare owners, is launched
On 27th February 2019 at a meeting of timeshare owners’ committees in Birmingham, delegates supported the proposals put forward for the budget, funding and structure for EUROC (European Resort Owners' Coalition), the new European owners’ representative body, and gave their unanimous approval for its launch on March 1st. Its creation follows the closure of TATOC in 2017, which left owners in the UK and mainland Europe without any form of representation and with little protection against the activities of fraudulent or deceptive operators. EUROC, which is run by owners, for owners, is to develop relationships with Europewide government departments, consumer organisations, enforcement...
Jeremy Skidmore announced as moderator for RDO10 2019 Conference
Following the decision from industry veteran Robin Mills to step down as moderator of the RDO Conferences at the end of last year’s RDO9 2018 Conference, we are pleased to announce the recent decision to appoint Jeremy Skidmore as moderator for RDO10 2019 Conference. Jeremy brings a wealth of travel related experience having been a journalist for over 30 years on national and travel trade titles. Jeremy has previously worked as editor of Travel Weekly, been a reporter for The Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday, and a regular contributor to several national newspapers, television and radio stations, and online publications. In...
ITRA (International Timeshare Refund Action) wound up in the High Court
On 30th January 2019, KwikChex reports that International Timeshare Refund Action – more commonly known as ITRA, was wound up in the High Court of Justice England & Wales. This followed a petition made by a couple that had taken ITRA to court on grounds of unlawful conduct involving misrepresentations and failure to provide promised services concerning timeshare relinquishment and compensation. ITRA failed to refund monies as ordered by the court. The original claim case against ITRA was one of several brought successfully against the business by consumers, with a number of courts repeatedly finding that ITRA had used deceptive methods and not provided...
Howard Nusbaum ARDA President and CEO to Retire
After a successful 19 years as President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association, Howard Nusbaum has announced his intention to retire in 2019. The ARDA Board of Directors has appointed a search committee of its members to work with Spencer Stuart to conduct a national search for a new president. Ann Fastiggi and Leslie Hortum of Spencer Stuart are managing the process. Don Harrill, an ARDA past chairman and current chair of the ARDA International Foundation, is leading the search committee. Mark Wang, President of Hilton Grand Vacations and current ARDA Chairman, said, “We were of our course disappointed...
CLC World Resorts & Hotels adds to its Yacht Club fleet with British Virgin Islands based catamaran
CLC World Resorts & Hotels (CLC World) has announced the addition of a further yacht, CLC Gemini, to Club La Costa Yacht Club. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it offers members the opportunity of winter sailing in the Caribbean to complement the Mediterranean summer sails. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are one of the world’s top sailing spots. A sailor’s paradise with calm currents, consistent trade winds, protected bays and more than a hint of a pirate past, it is comprised of four main islands - Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada – that are complemented by fifty...
Christel House International poised for new leadership
Twenty years ago, Christel DeHaan founded Christel House, a charity to transform the lives of impoverished children and lift them out of poverty. Today, DeHaan announced she will retire as CEO of Christel House International (CHI) at the end of the year but will remain in her role as board chair. She has named former Indianapolis mayor, Bart Peterson, as her successor, with the support and endorsement of the CHI board. “Bart is a proven leader with impeccable integrity and a passion for the Christel House mission,” says DeHaan. “As the first mayor in the country legislatively empowered to authorize charter...
How to create the loyalty loop with your guests
In an incredibly short space of time the power in the relationship between consumer and brands has shifted massively towards the consumer. This is due In large part to the widespread prevalence of high-speed internet, powerful smartphones, social networks and consumer review sites. As the usage of these modern tools continues to grow, it means that increasing numbers of consumers have an incredible access to a wealth of information, including while on the move. For example if someone is out and about shopping, they may want to find out a great local restaurant or cafe to enjoy a meal. With their...