Timeshare Exchange

TATOC is the only elected consumers association to represent the interest of timeshare owners in Europe. TATOC works with all aspects of the timeshare industry including the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), the exchange companies, timeshare developers, the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR), and other governmental agencies.

Formed in 1989, TATOC is a limited company that operates predominately as a networking group for members of timeshare owners committees.

The Objectives of The Timeshare Association TATOC

The objectives of the association are:

• To promote the maintenance of high quality standards of facilities and amenities, and to encourage the efficient management of timeshare resorts through communication and education.
• To lobby and campaign on matters related to timeshare and timeshare owners by liaison with trade industry bodies and government departments.
• To actively promote the positive image of timeshare through all communications channels.

To learn more about TATOC, visit www.timeshareassociation.org
Or contact them at:
Manchester House
84-86 Princess Street
Manchester, United Kingdom
Telephone +44 (0) 845 230 2430
Fax +44 (0) 870 916 7223

To interact with timeshare owners in an online forum, visit The Timeshare Owners Forum for Sell My Timeshare NOW.

If you buy timeshares in countries other than the United States, the laws of the country in which the timeshare is located govern your transaction. The only exception to this can occur when you have dealt with a sales office that represents timeshare in other countries, but the office itself is located in the United States and your contract closes in the United States.

European Timeshare Sales Slower than in Other Destinations

While timeshare as a concept got its start in Europe, timeshare sales never took off in Europe in the same way they have in the US. Although approximately 1.5 million Europeans have bought timeshares, the consensus is that some of them have been misled in making their purchase.

One major deterrent to European timeshare sales and industry growth has been an ambiguity – a bit of a loophole – that enabled a product known as a “holiday club” to work around Europe’s original timeshare regulation, (Timeshare Directive 94/47/EC) a law that was first passed by the European Union in 1994. Holiday clubs operated outside this earlier EU timeshare law by offering a product with only a three-year duration of ownership, because until October 2008, European Union law applied to timeshare products if they involved more than a three-year period of ownership. With the door wide upon for timeshare scams at unregulated holiday clubs it was often difficult for consumers to identify which European vacation ownership products were “safe” to buy and which ones to avoid.

As Harry Taylor, CEO of TATOC (The Association of Timeshare Owners Committee; the only elected consumers association to represent the interests of timeshare owners in Europe) explains, “The previous Bill was not flexible enough to cover such products as canal boats and as usual there were companies that were able to circumvent the law. For instance, the introduction of holiday clubs … Also there was the confusing aspect of there being different rulings in different countries. This new European legislation will remove any confusion and protect consumers whether they are buying in Spain or Greece.”

Saturday’s The Timeshare Authority will fill you in on more details about the newly passed European Union legislation. And be sure to read The Timeshare Authority blog for Monday, December 1, to learn more about TATOC.

Interval International Timeshares Exchange and Kosmas Group International have announced a long-term affiliation agreement in regard to timeshare resort properties in Key West, New Smyrna Beach, and Orlando, Florida.

Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group says, “The Kosmas Group has been one of the leading companies in vacation ownership for more than 30 years. We greatly value this relationship and are pleased to have the opportunity to continue to provide Kosmas’ owners with exchange and leisure services, as well as to offer KGI a variety of programs to enhance their sales initiatives.”

Representatives of the Kosmas Group explained that they made their decision to renew the alliance with Interval International timeshare exchange because of II’s commitment to work collaboratively. “Interval offers us an innovative portfolio of business development products, including value-added membership and trial ownership programs and tour incentive premiums, which complement our own very successful marketing strategy. Perhaps most importantly, Interval is uniquely positioned to offer our current and future owners access to high quality resorts in very desirable destinations.”

Kosmss Group International (KGI) member owners will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International and of Interval Gold (R), Interval International’s upgraded membership program. Their expanded privileges will enable them to exchange timeshare at other luxurious timeshare resorts, or use the value of their timeshare toward the purchase of cruises, spa vacations, and golf. Other benefits include 24-hr. daily concierge service via phone or e-mail, complimentary Hertz rental car Gold membership, and other hotel and dining discounts.

To learn more about the opportunities of timeshare exchange, talk to the timeshare resales and timeshare rental specialists at Sell My Timeshare NOW. 877-815-4227

RCI Points timeshare exchange has signed an affiliation agreement with Salwan, a subsidiary of Dubai Properties Group in the United Arab Emirates. RCI Points is the largest timeshare exchange company and is a part of the Wyndham hotel and Wyndham timeshare corporation.

The Salwan Hotel Apartments will feature 80 luxurious timeshares. 1, 2, 3 bedroom timeshare units and timeshare condos all feature 5-star hotel accommodations with direct access to Jumeirah Beach. Located in the heart of what is known as new Dubai, the timeshares are convenient to the marina and the shopping area known as The Walk.

President and CEO of Group RCI, Geoff Ballotti, has said: “We are very proud to have Salwan Property Management join RCI’s worldwide exchange network of over 4,000 affiliated resorts … Our global reach serves as an added incentive to future Salwan owners who will have access to the largest portfolio of vacation resorts in the world and be supported, both on-line and by dedicated, multi-lingual vacation guides in our call centers across the globe.”

Saeed Bushalat, Chief Executive Officer of Salwan said this of the venture, “The flexibility this tie-up provides to Salwan means that we are able to offer our buyers a product that can change as their lifestyle does, adding weight to our sales program … We are confident all 80 apartments will be quickly snapped up by investors worldwide seeking the winter sun, as well as others from the broader Gulf area, keen on Dubai’s world class shopping and leisure options that are at the doorstep of the hotel residence.”

Dubai Timeshare Continues to Be Hot

No matter how the US economy looks – up, down, or sometimes uncertain – the future of Dubai timeshare seems very solid. The United Arab Emirates has laid careful groundwork to ensure that Dubai timeshare buyers are protected while at the same time protecting their heritage, their culture, and the business growth potential of their citizens.

If you are interesting in learning more about Dubai timeshares, RCI timeshare exchange, RCI Points, or any of the Wyndham timeshare properties, visit the timeshare resale and timeshare rental specialists at Sell My Timeshare NOW.