Timeshare Consumer Guide
Spring News Letter

April 2008

Why OTE membership has never been more essential

As it works to bolster its' membership, the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe ( OTE ), has highlighted the need for the industry, to unite under the OTE banner.
Ron Howell, chairman of the Membership Council, said: "More than ever the industry needs to speak with one voice. As we pursue this goal, it is gratifying to note that a number of politicians and regulators are recognising the central role OTE plays in our industry. While OTE wants legislation that is clear and enforceable, it also seeks to address any issue that would impede timeshares growth and development."

Top marketing man named at Diamond Resorts

Diamond Resorts International ( DRI ) has appointed James ("Jim") Danz as chief marketing officer. Previously, he has held executive posts at Starwood Vacation Ownership USA, Princeton Resorts Group and Accor Premiere Vacation Club, based in Australia. During his industry career - dating back to 1985 - he has marketed more than $650 million in net sales volume.
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Diamond Resorts is one of the largest timeshare companies in the world, with more than 110 branded and affiliated resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Its membership totals more than 360,000. Last year it completed the acquisition of Sunterra Corporation, including its European interests, in a deal valued at $700 million.

Spain logs record numbers of tourists in 2007

A new record for tourists to Spain was established last year.
According to the latest statistics published by Exeltur, the Spanish trade association, 59.7 million tourists visited the country last year, an increase of 1.7 per cent over 2006.
The United Kingdom was the biggest source market, accounting for 16.3 million, up 0.5 per cent year-on -year. Some 42 per cent of British travellers visited the Canary or Balearic Islands.
Germany (10 million0 and France (9.3 million) were next in the rankings.
According to projections by the trade association, some 60.7 million will visit Spain this year.

Dial an Exchange (DAE) appoints new Managing Director

David Lilley has taken up the post of managing director of Dial an Exchange Europe ( DAEE ), the company based in the UK that has its roots in Australia.
Until last summer, Mr Lilley was strategic alliance director for RCI Europe. With experience in sales, marketing and business development, he previously spent seven years at American Express. Philip Green, owner and chairman, said he looked forward to Mr Lilley taking the company "to new heights".
Founded in 1997, Dial an Exchange is currently the largest privately owned exchange company with worldwide destination availability. Membership is free and exchange fees are not charged until an exchange is confirmed. DAE previously marketed its exchange services directly to the timeshare owner, via online, print advertising and direct mail. More recently, the company has begun to focus on resort, management and timeshare affinity partnerships to help fill the need for simpler, less expensive exchange solutions. There is no "affiliation fee" for the partner.
The past year has witnessed amazing growth of DAE online. Last summer, the company announced that it had signed an agreement to help increase exchange transactions among its 350,000 registered timeshare owners.

Pride and Passion - Finnish timeshare

Someone once told me that visiting Finland was like stepping into a refreshing shower on a hot day. Clean air and breathtaking scenery make it relaxing and uplifting, while the availability of a varied range of activities such as skiing, canoeing and golf keep the mind and body revitalised.
Maybe that's the reason why the number of foreign visitors enjoying overnight stays in Finland increased by six per cent between 2005 and 2006 and the total number of overnight stays by inbound visitors in 2007 was more than 5 million.
Or maybe it's because Finland is a multilingual country with an eye for detail and a dedication to customer service. Whatever the reason, increasing numbers of foreign tourists are visiting Finland and the growth looks set to continue.
The country is famed for its beautiful scenery and nature, friendly people and fresh air. It has 180,000 lakes and a south-western coast fringed with islands. Sailing , fishing, skiing, canoeing, golf, saunas and spas, all form part of Finnish life. Holiday resorts covering all aspects of that life can be found across the country from the beaches to the inland lakes.
Holiday Club Resorts ( HCR ) is Finland's biggest timeshare developer. It boasts 18 resorts in the country with 1,100 apartments and more than 30,000 timeshare owner families. The company was established in 1986 and spent 18 years developing its brand in Finland, before expanding into Sweden in 2004. It has also recently opened its first resort in St Petersburg, Russia. All the company's resorts are affiliated to Group RCI.
HCR's vice-president believes that timeshare is popular in Finland because of its positive image and strict laws.
A CAPITAL LOCATION
One timeshare resort and Group RCI affiliate already close to Helsinki is Club Vierumaki. situated on the edge of a lake, just over an hour's drive from the capital, the leisure and sports resort has two 18-hole golf courses, an 11-hole par three training course, shooting area, tennis and squash courts, and an indoor ice rink.
The beautiful surrounding countryside offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing and hiking, and in winter the area is famous for its cross-country ski trails.
Pekka Vasala, managing director of Club Vierumaki, had this to say as to why timeshare is so popular in Finland: "Here we have high-quality timeshare resorts with versatile interests. Also Finnish developers are reliable. The affiliation with Group RCI also gives the possibility of overseas travel and Finnish people have found out how easy and affordable it is. Nowadays people want care-free holidays near nature. Timeshare matches that demand."

Dubai - Life in the fast lane

The Middle East is clearly going to be a source of many diverse and exciting new holiday experiences for vacationers. As the implementation of timeshare law in Dubai is now imminent, this market is opening up to our industry.
Recently dubbed 'the world's leading example of a state, to have successfully embraced travel and tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity', by no less than the World Travel & tourism Council ( WTTC ), the astounding development of Dubai shows no signs of slowing.
Fantastic leisure real estate projects continue to dominate the headlines - and the skylines - of the regions' tourism hotspot (Dubai now receives about seven million overnight hotel tourists per year), and other Middle East states are waking up to the potential of leisure real estate.
While Dubai is pitching itself as a family holiday destination, other parts of the Gulf are focusing on niche markets, according to Nick Turner, managing director of Group RCI Middle East. "Oman is positioning itself as an outdoors adventure holiday destination, with ocean, scuba-diving, mountains and very friendly people, while Abu Dhabi tends to focus on culture and the arts," he explained. Turner reported that Abu Dhabi, the regions' capital, is also due to host a Formula One Grand Prix in 2009, staged on a purpose-built tourism island, that will also include Ferrari and Warner Brothers theme parks. Dubai is adding similar attractions, with major brands such as Universal Studios and DreamWorks building new theme parks, while Dubailand is set to host more than 30 family-themed experiences.
Ringing and regulating the changes
The rapid development of the leisure real estate market in the Middle East - and the arrival of timeshare and its derivatives - has inevitably brought the need for new laws and regulations.
But while timeshare legislation has often been a thorny subject in Europe, it's almost been a bed of roses in Dubai, with industry leaders forming a Timeshare Working Group to help draft the law themselves. Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Authority's CEO, Marwan Ghalita, explained "We welcome the involvement of the commercial sector in formulating practical and responsible regulations. The new law will safeguard buyers and provides clarity for developers."

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July 2005 Newsletter
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