RDO’s code of conduct gives enhanced flexibility to “legacy” timeshare owners
RDO (Resort Development Organisation) had been aware of the problems faced by some timeshare owners who bought their timeshare back in the 1980s and 90s, the so-called “legacy cases” when timeshare weeks were sold in “perpetuity” and could be up to 80 years in length. Given this background, in 2015 RDO updated its Code of Conduct to provide more options to owners who wished to relinquish (hand back, dispose) of their timeshare.RDO's updated requirements, approved by the Board, go over and above those covered by law and in addition to it being mandatory for members to have an overall exit...
Spanish Supreme Court Ruling 15 January 2015
We are aware of the ruling of the Supreme Court in Spain regarding the case of Anfi Sales SL v Grimsbo. We have been in and continue to be in close touch with Anfi management and their legal advisers to ascertain the up to date position. We understand from intensive discussions with Anfi’s legal advisers, and concur with their conclusion, that there has been a misinterpretation of the law in Spain as it applies to timeshare schemes in existence before Spain implemented the provisions of the First Timeshare Directive in 1998. We therefore believe, as does Anfi, that this case has limited...
Robin Mills Confirmed as Moderator for RDO6 2015 Conference
At its February meeting, the RDO Board confirmed the recommendation from the Communications Council that Robin Mills should be asked to act as moderator at this year’s conference, RDO6: Embracing Change, which will take place from 17 to 19 September at the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa in Marbella. As Chairman of RDO’s Communications Council and the Conference Working Group, Robin brings a wealth of industry knowledge which he will use to engage with delegates and stimulate debate. He has also moderated the last three TATOC conferences and both joint RDO-TATOC seminars. The Conference Working Group is currently engaged on...
Did It All Change As Predicated?
Even if this gets put up on our website on in the first working-days of March, I will count it as February’s blog and if so I have managed so far to keep to my resolve of 1 blog a month – not sure anyone will be that interested but it leaves me with a warm glow if nothing else! These have been fraught days in our household, with A2 mocks being sat by the youngest member of our family, who decided last Friday evening that his eyes needed testing as he was having trouble seeing things on the board at...
RDO6 2015 Conference will “Embrace Change”
“Embracing Change” is the theme chosen for this year’s RDO6 Conference, which will take place from 17 to 19 September at the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa in Marbella. The conference will look at how the industry can address the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly fast-paced and ever-changing world, and adapt its strategies to stay relevant, connect with consumers and thrive. RDO recognises that the needs of consumers are continuously changing, and that dealing with change can be difficult for business leaders. Today’s consumers are more enlightened and empowered than ever, with a wealth of information at their...
What Colour is January…..?
Strange question you may think. I understand some people attribute colours to days of the week – Monday – White etc. This led me to thinking what colour would months be? From my point of view January would definitely be Grey. No surprise there you may think – certainly in Northern Europe it can be a month of not only grey skies and cold weather, but in the UK certainly a time for paying bills and meeting the demands of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs! Ah Joy! Hence the grey. Once I started thinking about this, I found however that...
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...
And So This Is Christmas…..
“Another year older …” (with acknowledgements to John Lennon), yes it’s that time of the year again, the Christmas trees are in the windows of our neighbours houses (we are lagging a bit behind this year) and Jonathon Ross (a local) has switched on the lights in “the Village” as we who live in NW3 like to call Hampstead. Enough of this nostalgia – just thought I would set the scene for a bit of a review of what has been somewhat of a roller coaster of a year for RDO and its members. Where do we start – with the...
Is It All About To Change?
How many times have we in this industry thought this I wonder? Are we about to experience one such moment next week? What on earth am I going on about (I do wonder myself). Over the last few months, we have watched claims companies here in the UK and also in Spain, as PPI business here in the UK winds down, look for other sources of business and have turned their attention to timeshare as a possible source of income. The Claims Working Group has pulled together remarkably well as Eugene Miskelly said at the conference, reacting rapidly to changing tactics...
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...