ARDA & ARDA-ROC Release Best Practices & Recommended Guidelines for Resorts

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the ARDA-Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC) have just released their recommended guidelines to help define the role of the timeshare industry in promoting the health and safety of owners, guests and employees.

These recommendations are developed based on COVID-19 response leading practices and are intended to complement, but not replace, those of state and local authorities.

“It was wonderful working with our members to put together best practices and guidelines for resorts and timeshares to promote the health and safety of owners, guests and employees,” said Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA. “These recommendations will likely evolve and be updated as the nation moves through different stages of reopening, the science and data become more robust, and the efficacy of certain practices become clearer. Safety cannot be guaranteed but it can be a focus and a mutual objective of an industry that works together.”

The specific recommendations by ARDA are organized as follows:

Transmission Barriers

The guidelines note that the transition to reopen operations requires a re-imagination of resort practices including sales and marketing centers. ARDA specifically focuses on the implementation of new signage and communication, physical barriers, the use of personal protective equipment, and the creation of new contactless solutions to re-establish a safe hospitality environment.

Enhanced Sanitation

The guidelines note that protecting against COVID-19 requires heightened sanitation practices, encouraging member resorts to revisit and revise their procedures. Specific alterations may vary from one location to another, and each resort will continue to tailor procedures to its own operating environment while aligning with leading state and local health authority guidelines.

Health Screening Practices

Resort employees, owners and guests are encouraged to implement appropriate health screening practices, such as monitoring, reporting and self-isolating to prevent the spread of the virus.

Food & Beverage Service Guidelines

Food and beverage service is an essential and ubiquitous part of the hospitality that the timeshare industry provides. Resort operators are encouraged to refer to industry best practices and guidance from state and local authorities to ensure their continued role as an essential service.

Owner & Guest Expectations: A Shared Responsibility

The guidelines emphasize that an effective response to COVID-19 requires both joint and individual efforts from resort operators, timeshare developers, owners and guests. This guidance particularly reflects the essential role that owners and their guests must play to help promote the health and safety of the entire timeshare family.

Visit ARDA’s official website to view the complete list of guidelines.