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...
RCI Awards for CLC World Resorts & Hotels’ Costa del Sol and Tenerife resorts
CLC World Resorts & Hotels (CLC World) has been recognised for the outstanding holiday experience it delivers to customers at its resorts in Spain by RCI. The resorts on mainland Spain and Tenerife have achieved great results through delivering excellent customer service, plus superb maintenance and cleanliness of the accommodation and general resort areas. In total 11 resorts received awards. Each resort was scored against 5 categories: Check In/Out, Hospitality, Resort Maintenance, Unit Maintenance and Unit Housekeeping. Ovidio Zapico, Regional Director, Business Development/RCI exchange – RCI Europe, who presented CLC World with award plaques for their mainland Spain resorts,commented: “RCI is honoured to...
Olivier Chavy Appointed as President, RCI Exchanges
Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND), has announced the appointment of Olivier Chavy as President, RCI® Exchanges. Most recently serving as CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Chavy brings 30 years of international hospitality experience and executive leadership roles spanning luxury hotel and timeshare resort operations to global interior design. RCI Exchanges is the global leader in vacation exchange, serving approximately 3.8 million members and more than 4,300 affiliated vacation ownership resorts. Chavy assumes responsibility for the strategic direction, operation and growth of the network and travel services of RCI Exchanges, including oversight of its collection of leading brands includingRCI, The Registry Collection, DAE and Love Home Swap. “Olivier will strengthen...
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...
Which social networks are the best way to market your resort in 2019 and why?
The power of social networking platforms as a tool for promoting your brand to a wider audience, resort reputation management and ultimately increasing sales is now almost undeniable, even to those most resistant to change. This isn’t to say though that even now at the start of 2019, almost 15 years since the start of Facebook, that there aren’t still people who view social networks as something new and doubt their significant and powerful usage as a marketing tool. In fact different versions of social networking sites were started way back in the mid-1990s and the popularity of these types...
Green 9 Same Spa & Beach Resort joins Interval International’s global exchange network
Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services, welcomed to its network Green 9 Same Spa & Beach Resort in the province of Esmeraldas on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. Steps from Same Beach, the property lies within the private residential community of Club Casablanca. Esmeraldas is known for its spectacular natural attractions and is a popular weekend destination for Quito residents. “After being in the industry for more than 20 years, our team remains committed to offering members the best vacations possible,” said Susana Guerrero, general manager of Green 9 Same Spa & Beach Resort. “As part of that promise, we...
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...