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. Quality resorts in sought-after destinations around the world, run by solid companies, are what modern timeshare is about. But as in any industry, it’s the bad boys that spoil a good party.

High on RDO’s priority list is the issue of safeguarding consumers’ interests. Working with the OFT, acting as an overall watchdog and exposing fraudulent clubs or resale operators are anti-fraud measures that go hand-in-hand with RDO’s ongoing campaign to improve representation for reputable companies (and promote fair trading, quality and growth within the industry itself). Today, RDO has over 130 members across Europe - ranging from resort developers to exchange, and from management or marketing companies to finance bodies.

Richard McIntosh, RDO ChairmanAlberto Garcia, head of RDO’s Enforcement Programme, has seen many changes since he joined the organisation three years ago. A former police officer, he fought organised crime in the Canary Islands for five years before taking up his new post in 2007. As a result, 25 bogus companies were closed down in 2008 and 26 fradulent operators had to cease operating in 2009. Before he started the campaign against fraudsters, however, it was paramount to demonstrate first and foremost that bogus operators were in no way part of the official timeshare industry - not an easy task initially.

"First, we built up a close relationship with European consumer associations, the UK Office of Fair Trading, the Spanish police and politicians at local town hall levels," Garcia explains. “And we became a reference point for some Spanish, British and Scandinavian media."

When it was founded in 1998, RDO brought together all national timeshare trade associations into one pan-European direct membership organisation. Twelve years on, its relationship with UK and European media continues to evolve; both the public and the media recognise its standing within the industry, and its ongoing efforts to raise European timeshare standards. Protecting consumers’ interests is an integral part of its mission.

As RDO Chairman Richard McIntosh advises, "We strongly recommend that timeshare owners do not accept offers made by companies they do not recognise. They should contact RDO’s Consumer Services Department on info@rdo.org to check if the company is a member of the organisation and complies with its Code of Ethics."

Fighting timeshare fraud is a challenge Alberto Garcia welcomes, and the Enforcement Programme has made significant inroads so far. Looking ahead, Garcia is optimistic and unequivocal about the future: "We still have lots of things to deal with," he concedes. But, like a true Spaniard, Garcia keeps his eye on the goal, "I foresee a timeshare industry in a couple of years’ time unhindered by fraudulent activities – or at least having no more problems than other industries."

The timeshare association TATOC has recently announced their keynote speaker for their upcoming timeshare conference. Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Resorts International, has been selected to be the keynote speaker for the 2010 timeshare association conference titled Working Together.

The 25 years of working experience in this industry makes Stephen J. Cloobeck a wonderful choice and more than qualified to speak in front of timeshare owners and industry professionals. He has over 25 years experience in development, management, construction, operations, marketing and sales in the real estate industry. His experience in real estate include timeshares, hotels, vacation ownership resorts, office building, apartment building, and retail shopping centers.

The TATOC conference organizers believe that Stephen J. Cloobeck will be the perfect keynote speaker for the conference and further explain, “Mr. Cloobeck is widely recognized as one of the most innovative, successful and accomplished entrepreneurs in the global vacation ownership industry and under his leadership, annually, nearly 1.4 million owners, members and guests enjoy the simplicity, choice, and comfort Diamond Resort International offers through its branded hospitality experience.”

Diamond Resort International is one of the most prestigious and largest vacation ownership/timeshare companies in the world. The company has over 160 branded and affiliated resorts in 26 counties and over 24,000 guest beds. The resort destinations are all over the world including the United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

The 2010 TATOC timeshare association conference, Working Together, is expecting a huge turnout and hopes to break the record of attendees from previous years, as well as surpass the number of sponsorships from previous years. This conference will be a perfect event for all timeshare owners and industry professional and will be a great time to network while enjoy incredible speakers.

The Working Together 2010 TATOC Timeshare Association conference will be taking place at Nottingham Belfry from Friday, March 26th to Sunday March 28th of 2010.

Interval International, a leading vacation exchange network, recently announced it’s addition of Grand Lodge to its network of resorts. Grand Lodges Mount Hood is tucked into Oregon’s Cascade Mountain Range just a few miles from Mt. Hood that offers year-round downhill and cross-country skiing.

“The central location of Grand Lodges adjacent to three ski areas is ideal for our upscale members, who will have the opportunity to visit this high-quality ski-in/ski-out resort,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “This destination offers a wonderful variety of recreational options, including an extensive night skiing area at Mt. Hood Skibowl and summer skiing at Timberline Palmer Snow Field.”

Timeshare owners that are part of the Interval International network will have the opportunity to enjoy this remarkable ski-in/ski-out resort that offer stunning panoramic views of Multorpor Mountain, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Collins Lake.

The resort has 16 open-plan units with three different floor plans that range from 1,800 to 2,300 square feet. The units include three bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a private balcony with access from the master bedroom and living room, as well as offers a rustic elegant style with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and Cascadian stone fireplaces in most units.

The developer of Grand Lodges and managing member of Mt. Hood LLC II, Kirk Hanna says, “Our vision was to create the ultimate balance between a getaway retreat and a comfortable home,” Kirk Hanna is also the owner of Mt. Hood Skibowl and continued to say,”Units are acoustically engineered to give owners a quiet appreciation of the stunning panoramas. The on-site recreation center and full-service concierge and spa will provide first-class pampering. And, our affiliation with Interval International completes the picture by expanding our owners’ vacation options to other quality locations worldwide.”