RDO ups the ante by enforcing Timeshare Anti-Fraud Campaign

Alert

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.



OFT Launches Scams Awareness Month

Scamnesty OFT

The OFT and Trading Standards have launched a campaign to raise awareness of scams by encouraging people to drop scam mail they have received into ‘Scamnesty’ bins located at public places around the country between the 1-26th February 2010. It is also possible to report bogus web sites, telephone calls, emails or even text messages through the Consumer Direct website (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty). This has an online function for consumers to log/ forward scam emails and websites.



A message from the RDO Chairman

New Years Message

“Happy New Year! From the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), I would like to extend our best wishes for a strong business year for everybody. After the gloom of last year, there are encouraging signs for the months ahead and things to look forward to in 2010.

If ‘staycation’ was the word on everybody’s lips last year, following another disappointing British summer and the winter chills we have experienced recently, everybody will need their holiday more than ever this year.



Consumer Alert: Resale Agent World Axial Asia

Resale Agent World Axial Asia

 It has been brought to RDO's [The Resort Development Organisation's] attention that a Singapore based resale company called World Axial Asia may be telephoning timeshare owners, informing them that they are representatives of RDO.

This company is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorised to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.



RDO1 2010 Conference announced

2010 Conference

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) will hold its much anticipated 2010 Conference at the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa in Marbella, on 5-6 October next year. The announcement was made at The Forum industry event in London.

RDO 1 will be the organisation’s first conference since changing its name to RDO and, according to Robin Mills, Chairman of RDO’s Communications Council, “it will be a fantastic event with a new look and a more interactive programme.”



BBC Rip Off Britain – holiday clubs

In Friday’s BBC1 Rip off Britain programme, presented by TV personalities Jennie Bond, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon, the problems of signing up to bogus holiday clubs were highlighted. It was reported that these clubs promise luxury breaks at bargain prices but all too often leave their members out of pocket and thorough fed up. Customers are warned not to fall for the sophisticated sales pitch and should follow the advice below:

• Never hand over money unless you are given a contract that you are happy with



RDO’s Legislative Council launches regular updates for members

RDO Legisaltive Update

In a new initiative from the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), the Legislative Council has recently sent members two Information Notices concerning important legal developments affecting the industry such as the new Timeshare Directive and the Rome I Regulation.

The first paper details the future requirements of the new Timeshare Directive in order to give members an insight into how their business practices will have to adapt to be in line with the new laws, once implemented. RDO expects EU Member States to develop implementation over the next 14 months.



Consumer Alert - ‘Owners Action’, ‘ITRA’ and ‘Bridge View Consultants LTD’

Consumer Alert

It has been brought to our attention that an organisation in the UK using the names of ‘Owners Action’, ‘ITRA’, and ‘Bridge View Consultants LTD’ is contacting members of the exchange company RCI to inform them that they may be entitled to some form of compensation from RCI.

It is possible, however, that this organisation may be offering participation in a proposed class action as a way to sell them another product, such as membership of a holiday club.



Consumer Alert - Visions Solution and Services Pte Ltd

Consumer Alert

It has been brought to our attention that a Singapore based company called Visions Solution and Services Pte Ltd is making verbal claims to timeshare owners that they are an authorized agent of RDO (Resort Development Organisation).

This company is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorized to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.



RDO announces details of members discount scheme

member discounts

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) is offering members exclusive discounts of ten per cent on a series of services from exchange companies, marketing and advertising suppliers, solicitors and accountants.

Companies taking part in the scheme include the two primary exchange companies, Interval International and Group RCI, with discounts available for advertisements in their publications: Interval World and Vacation Industry Review, and RCI Ventures magazine.



FSOTA announces special introductory membership offer

Fractional and Shared Ownership Trade Association

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.



What is Timeshare?

The Concept

The timeshare industry is over 30 years old, and generates revenues of over $9.4bn per annum. Today, there are 6.7 million timeshare owners worldwide, of which over one and a half million reside in Europe alone. Yet few realise the extent of timeshare's contribution to the economies of Europe and to providing all year round tourism and employment. 



RDO calls for one industry voice at Malta timeshare seminar

Malta

The impact the new EU timeshare directive will have on Maltese businesses was amongst the issues highlighted by RDO at a seminar organised by Group RCI in Malta.

Representatives from RDO and the Malta Tourism Authority presented updates on legislation, tourism statistics and issues affecting the Maltese timeshare industry to a group of around 40 developers and marketers gathered at the “It’s all about Malta” seminar. The Malta Tourism Authority expressed their appreciation of working with Group RCI in implementing joint marketing initiatives.



Bogus holiday clubs warning

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.



Consumer Alert - Holiday Group Sales Ltd, UK

Holiday Group Sales Ltd

Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by a UK based resale company called Holiday Group Sales Ltd.

By using our logo, the company is inferring that it is a member of OTE (now called RDO) the European trade body for timeshare, whose members sign up to a code of ethics that protects consumers’ rights. This company is not, and never has been, an approved member of either OTE or RDO and is breaking the law by including our logo on its documentation.