Timeshare Consumer Guide
Monthly News Letter

June 2005

Welcome to the June edition of the Timeshare Consumer Guide monthly newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to provide current information that may be of interest not only to buyers, owners and sellers of timeshare but to the consumer in general. We aim to provide information regarding exchanges, resorts and up to date OTE News and other reliable sources.

Last month we covered Walton Hall, Timeshare leaders and had our Eye on Marriott's Village d'Ile-de-France.

LONDON COURT DECLARES JOHN PALMER BANKRUPT

John Palmer, serving an eight-year jail term for timeshare fraud, has been made bankrupt by the High Court in London .  The order followed compensation claims by owners in his timeshare resorts.  The claims by some 350 individuals were for £5.5 million from Mr Palmer.  Lawyers said that trustees would now try to raise the money from his assets that include resorts in Tenerife .

In a special news bulletin by Irwin Mitchell (IM), the law firm acting for the claimants, Peter Wylde, a partner, says: “We have seen nothing to show that Palmer is worth anything like the £300 million he is reputed to have.  However we do know a lot about his timeshare assets and how much they are worth.  We also know about a number of offers that have already been made to purchase them by reputable companies.

The Law firm is now arranging for a Trustee in Bankruptcy to be appointed who will automatically own all of Palmer's assets.  That means the Trustee can sell them to pay off Palmer's creditors.

John Palmer was jailed in May 2001 after being found guilty of a multi-million pound scam involving the sale of timeshares to more than 16,600 people.  He lost a subsequent appeal against sentence but was successful in overturning a confiscation order of his assets, said to be worth £33 million.  An appeal court later ruled that the overturning was wrong but Mr Palmer was permitted to retain the assets.

RECORD 1 ST QUARTER FOR HILTON TIMESHARE DIVISION

Major branded hospitality companies continue to help drive the growth and popularity of holiday ownership.  Hilton Grand Vacation Company (HGVC), the timeshare division of the hotel corporation, has increased its profitability by more than 50 per cent in the 1 st quarter of 2005 owing to strong unit sales in Las Vegas, Orlando and Hawaii.

The company had 1 st quarter revenues of $146million, a 34 per cent increase from $109million in the comparable period in 2004.  Unit sales in the 1 st quarter were up 23 per cent while the average unit sales price rose two per cent.

Phase 2 of HGVC's project in Las Vegas – it comprises 431 units – is on schedule for completion in summer 2006.  In recent weeks, ground was broken on the 70-unit Phase V of the company's Tuscany Village property in Orlando, Florida, with completion scheduled for spring 2006.

The Timeshares image has changed with the investment of major hotel groups in the industry. They have brought the much needed credibility to the product.

INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL NEW OFFICES IN DUBAI

Seeking to capitalise on the expected growth of timeshare resorts in the Middle East, Interval International is opening an office in Dubai.

The exchange company, which already operates a sales and membership office in Egypt , says the new sales centre will be dedicated to working with developers and expanding the number of Middle East resorts and destinations available to members.  Currently Interval has affiliated properties in Egypt and Lebanon and recently signed a deal with The Royal Club and The Palm in Dubai.

Good news, especially for Timeshare owners in the area.

Timeshares of Interest - Hilton – Scotland 

Following the success reported from Hilton Timeshare division, we are looking this month at the Hilton timeshare in Scotland .

Hilton Coylumbridge
Hilton Craigendarroch
Hilton Dunkeld

Coylumbridge

At Hilton Coylumbridge we find the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands right on our doorstep and leisure facilities to suit the whole family and available throughout the year. Within the 65-acre grounds there are two indoor heated pools, tennis courts, childrens adventure play- ground, archery facilities and a choice of restaurants and bars. Skiing, sailing lessons and clay pigeon shooting can all be arranged. The lodges are of an unusual design and furnished to a high standard...

Prices start from: £7,000, 2 bedroom, sleeps 6, purchased direct from the resort or £3,500 for 2 bedroom, sleeping 6 purchased from a resale company.

Craigendarroch

The luxury lodges at Hilton Craigendarroch nestle in the pine trees on the banks of the River Dee, in an area of special beauty and peace much loved by the British Royal Family. Within the grounds a host of leisure facilities are provided including a dry ski slope, 2 swimming pools and a leisure centre. There is fishing in the famous Dee and a visit to the fairytale castles which dot the landscape are highly recommended.

Prices start from: £7,000, 2 bed, sleeping 6 or £9,000 3 bed, sleeping 8 when purchased direct from the resort or £4,000 for 2 bed sleeping 6, £6,000 for 3bed sleeping 8 from a resale company.

Dunkeld

Situated in the grounds of a magnificent 280-acre estate, Hilton Dunkeld is located a short distance from the estate's private stretch of the River Tay on which guests have fishing rights. Extensive on-site facilities heated indoor pool,all- weather tennis courts, croquet lawn, clay shooting range and an extensive indoor leisure complex. All lodges have been tastefully furnished to provide a high standard of accommodation.

Prices start from: £4,500 for a 2 bed, sleeping 6, purchased direct from the resort or £3000 for a 2 bed sleeping 6 from a resale company.

As always, we would be delighted to hear from you.  If you have any information about the resort you own or have visited, or have information that will be of interest to prospective buyers or sellers or existing owners of Timeshare, then please let us know.

Editor: David James

Timeshare Resales in Scandinavia

Timeshare owners from Scandinavian countries who wish to sell their Timeshare, can contact Travel & Leisure Group Scandinavian office in Oslo.

Opened three years ago, Travel & Leisure Scandinavia embraces the four Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland and continue to offer more options for both buyers and sellers of Timeshare.

Managed by a very experienced team of advisors, the Oslo office will offer expert advice to both sellers and buyers alike.



RCI Points are also available in Scandinavia from Timeshare Advertising Bureau, an associate Company within the Group.

For more information please visit www.travelandleisure.no

August 2005 Newsletter
July 2005 Newsletter