The Timeshare Association (Timeshare Owners and Committees) Ltd is a limited company that was formed in 1989 predominately as a networking group for timeshare owners committees and their members. Its original objectives are more relevant today than before.

- To actively promote the positive image of timeshare through all communications channels.

- To encourage the efficient management of timeshare resorts through communication and education and to promote the maintenance of high quality standards of facilities and amenities.

- To lobby and campaign on matters related to timeshare and timeshare owners by liaison with trade industry bodies and government departments.

It is the only elected consumers association to represent the interests of timeshare owners in Europe. Its mission statement is "TATOC exists to safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the voice of owners". TATOC has access to an army of happy timeshare owners - people who have owned the product for many years and have nothing except genuine and positive comments to offer about their holiday experiences.

TATOC believes the opinions of owners provide a critical contribution to the transformation of timeshare's reputation here in Europe and could see a marked improvement in both the popularity and acceptance of timeshare in a variety of different business environments whilst also assisting in the lobbying process re legislation that affects the industry, so TATOC ensures that these owners are given a voice.

There are in excess of 80 TATOC member resorts spreading across many parts of Europe. Collectively, these resorts give TATOC access to some 250,000 families across Europe.

TATOC is launching a resort accreditation scheme and is offering its members assistance and education in carrying out the duties of a Committee. TATOC is supported by many companies within the timeshare industry including Diamond Resorts International ®, Macdonalds Hotels, RCI, Interval International and Travel and Leisure Group. TATOC also handles consumer complaints and works closely with, but independently from RDO, to monitor and guide consumers with problems on +44 (0) 845 230 2430

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The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) increased spending on its Enforcement Project in Spain last year to €130,000. This project has logged a series of key successes over the past year, including the closure of 10 fraudulent Discount Travel Membership Clubs (also known as holiday clubs) sales decks and 23 bogus Resale and Class Action companies by the police - working closely with OTE's enforcement team, headed up by  a former Canary Islands police inspector.















A further 3 Discount Travel Membership Club sales decks closed down voluntarily as a result of pressure from the authorities.















RDO's enforcement project has logged a series of key successes over the past year.















This work is part of RDO's remit to reduce fraudulent practices affecting timeshare owners and other holiday makers. Over the past year, RDO intensified measures in the Canary Islands - primarily in Tenerife - where fraud has been more prevalent. These measures include the identification of sales decks for Discount Travel Membership Clubs which leads to heavy on-street sales activities.















The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) estimates that 400,000 Britons lose £1.2 billion each year to bogus Discount Travel Membership Clubs. These figures compare starkly with complaints about timeshare, which have been reducing steadily year on year.















In meetings with senior police officers in Spain, RDO's enforcement manager has stressed the damage caused by Discount Travel Membership Clubs and fraudulent re-sale companies, to the tourism industry in general and also to legitimate timeshare resale operations in particular.















Note from editor.







Always ensure that if you are 'cold called' or contacted by some company you have had no prior dealings with, that you do not believe that they have a buyer for you. It is virtually 100% certain that the company is a 'SCAM' company and that they are trying to get you to part with money on a fraudulent basis.







Whether you are considering selling your timeshare or purchasing another, then you should also ensure that the company you contact is a registered member of the RDO, such as the Travel and Leisure Group.