Consumer alert - EquitySecure.co.uk

Consumer alert - Equity Secure

We have been made aware that timeshare owners are making complaints that they are receiving unsolicited phone calls from Equity Secure, a company that operates using a website but does not appear to have office in the UK.

This firm purports to secure ‘equity release from your timeshare commitments' and owners are informed that the law is to change in January next year, which will result in a doubling of their maintenance fees.



Former head of British Hospitality Association to speak at RDO1

Former head of British Hospitality Association to speak at RDO1

Bob Cotton OBE, who was Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association until July this year, has been confirmed as guest speaker at the Resort Development Organisation’s RDO1 conference, this year´s main industry event taking place at the Don Carlos Resort & Spa in Marbella (Spain) on 4-6 October.

“Bob Cotton has been active for nearly 40 years in the hospitality sector, and an outstanding ambassador for the UK hospitality profession.



A New Piece of Legislation for the Industry

Department of Business, Innovation and Skills

I have no that doubt those who read these blogs are heartily sick of me going on about the reputation of the industry and the detriment caused to the image of shared ownership by the holiday clubs. So apologies in advance for returning to this topic!



Holiday Club Cashback Scam

Cashback scam

If you have a cashback certificate, don't fall victim to scam that has recently come to our attention.

We've been told that members of the public who purchased a holiday club membership that included a cashback offer are now receiving calls from a separate company to inform them that their cashback certificate has not been correctly registered. As a result, they are invited overseas - usually Spain or the Canaries - to find ways around the problem and this is where, at their most vulnerable, people tend to be pressured into making decisions they later regret.



Consumer alert - United Wealth Management

Consumer Alert

It has been brought to the attention of RDO [Resort Development Organisation] that a Singapore based company called United Wealth Management may be informing timeshare owners during presentations that the company is registered with RDO.

United Wealth Management 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.



Applicability of new Timeshare Directive to Fractional Ownership

Timeshare Directive and Fractional ownership

The new ‘Timeshare Directive’ is to be implemented into national law across the European Union by 23 February 2011. Some countries have implemented the Directive already, notably France, others such as the UK and Finland, have recently issued draft proposals for new laws and several are consulting interested parties.



Programme details for RDO1 conference announced

2010 Conference

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) has unveiled details of the sessions, guest speakers and social events that members will be able to enjoy at the RDO1 Conference which will take place at the Don Carlos Resort & Spa in Marbella (Spain) on 5-6 October 2010.



Have you been defrauded?

Fraud

Timeshare owners who have been defrauded by Resale Firms*, Holiday Clubs, Cash Back Schemes, Class Actions, Fly Buys*, etc. should contact RDO’s Enforcement team on enforcement@rdo.org as soon as possible.



Stop press -- police make arrest in Spain

police make arrest in Spain

Brussels 8th July 2010 - The police in Spain have arrested a person behind fraudulent timeshare resale company Benedetti & Asociados. This company, which operated from offices on the Costa Del Sol, targeted Spanish timeshare owners and RDO has received a number of complaints about its activities this year. The arrest follows a report that RDO’s enforcement team sent to the police in Marbella.



Should cooling-off periods be applied more widely?

A couple of weeks ago in the OPP News, there was a call for the establishment of a European wide cooling-off period in the cases of sales of freehold, often second-homes abroad, in order to avoid some of the scams perpetrated on people looking to buy their “Place in the Sun” .



The truth behind Class Actions - RDO lifts the lid on dubious schemes

The truth behind Class Actions

You've seen an advertisement or had a call out of the blue - something in itself to be wary of as your details have probably been obtained through a stolen database - and are now considering whether to join a class action against your resort developer or even exchange company.

So what's the reality behind these schemes; is this just another scam, a way of obtaining money from timeshare owners under false pretences?



Details of RDO1 Golf Competition announced

rio real golf

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) has announced details for its traditional pre-conference golf tournament. The RDO1 Golf Competition will be held at Golf Rio Real, a challenging 18 hole course owned by the Rio Real Hotel

Considered one of the best golf courses in Marbella, Golf Rio Real was inaugurated in 1965 and designed by Javier Arana. It has its own country club and golf learning academy.

Registration for the Golf Competition costs 100 euros. More details are available on the RDO1 Conference website www.rdoconference.org.



AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM RDO (RESORT DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION) TO THE PRESS RELEASE OF JUNE 15: “TIMESHARE INDUSTRY IN SPAIN IS SET TO COLLAPSE”

Brussels 15th June 2010 - Contrary to the statement made by Claims Directive, a company located in Arguineguín Gran Canaria that claims to represent timeshare owners’ interests, the timeshare industry both in Spain, the rest of Europe and USA as well as other international territories is extremely robust.



A Momentous Meeting?

I am trying to avoid what I would call a “Unite moment” i.e I do not want to be accused of giving away the contents of an important industry meeting at the time it took place, so I have left a decent interval before talking about this particular one.



Travel 2010 – Where is everyone going?

Travel trends 2010

We have just put up on the RDO website, a paper on Travel trends 2010 prepared by Flagship, a UK based PR company, who act for and advise RDO and are themselves members of the organisation. It is well worth reading. This is of course an issue of real interest to RDO members for obvious reasons and is why at the RDO1 October Conference, we have asked the Director of the Travel and Tourism Research Institute at Nottingham University Business School, Leo Jago, to address the issue of what the next few years will hold for our industry in terms of travel trends as the world- and Europe in particular, struggles to come out of recession.