TATOC, the Timeshare Association, today announced that sponsorship for the annual conference, taking place from 9^th-11^th March at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, near Warrington, has gone beyond the board’s expectations.

“We have been delighted and surprised at the huge level of support shown by the industry for the annual conference,” explained Harry Taylor, executive chairman. “The conference is always well supported and attended but this year, with such difficult economic conditions, we were aware that sponsorship might be affected. We needn’t have worried.”

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Timeshare consumer champions the Timeshare Association (Timeshare Owners and Committees), known as TATOC and LiveShareTravel, a leading timeshare and fractional online magazine, have announced they are to collaborate to help promote consumer interests.

As a silver affiliate of TATOC, LiveShareTravel will work with them to take the latest news, information and advice on buying shared ownership products (timeshare and fractional) to a wider audience of existing owners and potential buyers.

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TATOC announced today that the popular timeshare resort Pergola Club Hotel & Spa located on the holiday island of Malta is the latest resort to join the Association.

Located in the picturesque village of Mellieha with views of the bay and the islands of Gozo and Comino Pergola Club Hotel is close to the centre of the village’s main street. Shops, banks, restaurants and bars are just a two-minute walk away. The largest and most beautiful sandy beach in Malta is just 1km away from the village.

The resort consists 52 apartments and 30+ hotel rooms over seven floors with a restaurant, bar, Internet cafe, games room and kiddies’ room.

Facilities at the resort include an indoor heated swimming pool, two outdoor pools with a children’s paddling pool, fitness centre, Jacuzzi and sun terraces with views over the village, valley and bay. The Da Vinci Spa provides an extensive range of health, beauty and well-being treatments.

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TATOC, the Timeshare Association, is delighted to announce that Nexus Leisure, one of the Canary Island’s most successful resort developers, management companies and rental businesses has become a TATOC silver affiliate.

Founded 20 years ago, Nexus Leisure has grown and diversified from sales and reservation agents to managing resorts and becoming involved in complete projects. The group also now includes rental and estate agency businesses in the Canary Islands.

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TATOC, the Timeshare Association, has announced today that Hutchinson & Co Trust Company Limited, one of the world’s leading trustee organisations, has become a TATOC silver affiliate.

Hutchinson & Co Trust Company Limited began more than 25 years ago as a collection agent for resorts in Portugal and Malta. The group has grown to become one of the top specialised holiday ownership trustees in Europe and the largest in India and the Far East. The group now has offices in the UK, Spain, India, Thailand and China.

Key to the group’s success has been its ability to adapt to the demands of the market and maintain a superior level of service. As such, they are the perfect business partners for new developers, taking them through the planning and set-up process of the legal structure of their timeshare or fractional project and into its operational phase.

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TATOC, the Timeshare Association, has announced that two major changes to the Board were approved by members at its recent Annual General Meeting held on 13^th March 2011.

Mr Harry Taylor, previously Chief Executive Office, is to take up the position of Executive Chairman and will replace the current Chairman Mr David Eastburn.

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Travel & Leisure Group, a leading European Timeshare Resale Brokerage, brought the world of Private Timeshare Sales to the Times Destinations Holiday & Travel Show, Earls Court, London last week with overwhelming success.

It was a great opportunity for customers, new and old, to meet the experienced team from Travel & Leisure. Customers took the chance to talk about all aspects of the timeshare industry and were ‘very pleased to see a reputable resale company taking the opportunity to meet their clients face to face’. This positive approach gave the team a wonderful opportunity to explain how Travel & Leisure act as an independent broker between private individuals, assisting them to buy, sell or rent a timeshare. It was also a perfect location to educate new buyers about the timeshare industry, reinforcing customer confidence in the product.

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Television Programming Helps Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket Lead the Resale Market

Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket, Europe’s leading timeshare resale company, is blazing a trail for televising programs about timeshare. First, the company partnered with TATOC, the Timeshare Association, to broadcast a 30-minute informational program that aired on the Travel Channel. Now, Worldwide  Timeshare Hypermarket is creating 60-minute programs that focus on the offerings from particular timeshare resort developers. First up: Macdonald Resorts.

This past November, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket joined together with TATOC, the Timeshare Association, to launch their first television broadcast, “Timeshare – History in the Making” – a 30-minute program explaining all the benefits associated with owning a timeshare – which has aired multiple times on both the Travel Deals Direct channel (Sky 647) and the Travel Channel. The program also is available to view on demand at www.traveldealsdirect.com.

“Timeshare – History in the Making” is split into several sections covering all aspects of timesharing and is interspersed with footage of typical timeshare resorts located on the Costa del Sol (Club La Costa, Marina del Sol), Cyprus (Paradise Kings Club) and Scotland (Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Forest Hills).

Here’s an excerpt from the segment on Macdonald Forest Hills: “Forest Hills lochside resort is beautifully set in landscaped gardens and woodland on the shores of Loch Ard, ideal for exploring the magnificent Trossachs, Scotland’s first national park.” While any brochure or website can relay flowery prose and descriptive words, there is no substitute for the complementary video footage of Forest Hills and environs that accompanies them.

The broadcast also explains how exchange programs and memberships work, detailing the concepts of banking, trading and even bonus weeks and cruise exchange.

The presentation is the result of a combined effort between Philip Watson, managing director of Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket and Harry Taylor, the CEO for TATOC. Throughout the half-hour, Taylor offers his insight on things such as management fees and the beauty of being able to exchange worldwide. He also shares his experiences as a timeshare owner. What’s more, Taylor explains the basic premise of timeshare so that even someone without any timesharing experience can understand.  The idea behind the show is to educate people about timesharing in the comfort of their own homes.

This special program was the first of what is to be many, says Watson. And now, he says, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is introducing longer programming, announced in December 2009 at The FORUM event in London, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts as the first client to participate. Rather than focus on just one Macdonald property, the show will be much broader. “We will create either two half-hour programs or an hour-long program that will promote Macdonald in total,” explains Watson, “so you would have all their hotels, their resorts and their rental program – and maybe even a fly-buy program in there – so that you’re concentrating on one group of resorts” and all that they have to offer.

Of course, by the time you read this, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket may have already finalized additional deals to create further 60-minute television specials. “We’re also discussing the possibility of creating such an hour-long program with Club La Costa and one or two other major groups,” Watson says, noting that another program launch is likely for March.

Key to all this is Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket’s relationship with television outlets; while any decent marketing agency could create a video, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket’s agreement with the appropriate channels and networks turns a video into an actual television program. “We’ve increased the sponsorship contract with the Travel Channel for a further year,” says Watson. “We’re in discussions with Sky Travel at the moment to do exactly the same thing, but I can’t say any more than that at present.”

The Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket Difference
Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is proud to be one of the market leaders in secondary timeshare resales, providing to both buyers and sellers a very safe and professional service. With Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket’s parent company being a developer, they have found from experience that among some of the main reasons why people do not buy timeshare direct from the developer is either the product is too highly priced for them, or they do not like the sales tactics/environment used.

Therefore when it came to resales, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket take a step back and allow both the buyer and the seller to approach them, which leaves buyers and sellers feeling relaxed and in control. Under no circumstances does Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket cold call, so the client never feels under pressure from the staff at any time.

Instead, the company advertises extensively on international and national television and in the press, which means the client first has to call if they wish to either purchase or sell a timeshare. Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is then able to offer a full service for clients from beginning to end. The company advertises sellers’ weeks in the press as well as on their website; once a buyer is found, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket completes the transfer on the seller’s behalf, taking all the hassle out of having to sell privately.

For the purchaser, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket determines which product would suit their requirements and budget – and again, the company conducts a full transfer service where all the client needs to do is sit back, relax and when they become the legal owner enjoy their timeshare along with the family.

All monies are held in trust by Resort Fiduciary Services until the transfer is complete so the client knows they can relax happy with the knowledge that their money is safe until they become seen as the legal owner. Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket does not take deposits and allows a full 14-day cooling off period; should the potential client be unable to afford the cost up front, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is able to assist them with membership to WorldWide Plus, which is a club card allowing them to purchase with 6 months interest free and nothing to pay for 6 months.

Afterwards they can use this card on a similar basis to purchase further Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket products if they wish. This club card is supplied by H.M.C Funding and Barclay Partner Finance – Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket was the first European timeshare company to be offered this product.

Being a member of RDO (Resort Development Organization, which formerly was OTE/Organisation for Timeshare in Europe) is integral to Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket’s beliefs and methods of working. RDO has provided a solid framework upon which Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket has built a  professional and efficient procedure in assisting their customers, be they buyers or sellers, and this provides those customers with the confidence that they deserve when they are dealing with a reputable and trustworthy organization.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is the first shared-ownership developer to take advantage of Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket's 60-minute TV programming offer

RDO not only ensures that its member companies are operating correctly, but it also works tirelessly to promote the image of timeshare throughout Europe. In this regard Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket shares a common purpose and they are extremely proud of their involvement with RDO. They are also proud to add to the company’s close association with TATOC, whom they support and assist in every way that they can.

Future Collaborations
“I think it is absolutely vital that resale companies and developers have a good working relationship and provide a good level of service for their customers, both old and new,” Watson says. “This is one of the key reasons why I am always looking at ways to improve the developer’s understanding of who we are and how we operate.” In addition to the television programming, Watson says that another result of this has been Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket’s “Indulgence” trial membership package, which allows the company to tap into the large market of new-to-timeshare customers while providing good quality leads to their partner developers.

“Other than this mutually beneficial relationship, it is key that we work closely with both the developers and trustees when we are processing a transfer of ownership and the flow of information between all parties involved and a speedy and efficient process serves to enhance our reputation and that of the resort,” notes Watson.

“We also offer wholesale purchases for developers and marketers; in some instances certain resorts have the ability, through using our stock, to sell additional exchange member resort week(s) to exchange members when they exchange onto their resorts, which works very well,” he says. “We can also come to arrangements with developer resorts that take in exchange weeks through their sales teams whereby we can take these weeks off their hands.”

For more information about creating a television program about your resort(s) or otherwise working with Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket, call +44 870 443 1466 or visit www.timeshare-hypermarket.com.

About Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket
Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is a highly professional company with an excellent reputation for customer care. We have been trading in timeshare resales for more than 12 years and currently have the largest database of timeshare weeks available, plus a long waiting list of buyers who are eager for specific weeks when they become available.

Our European Headquarters are located in Bournemouth, Dorset in the United Kingdom, so we conduct our business strictly in line with the Timeshare Act of 1992. We specialize in matching buyers to sellers and handle over 1000 such transactions each and every week, so when you are dealing with us, you can rest assured that you are dealing with the best in the business.

When buying through Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket, you can be sure that you are in safe hands, with full protection provided. Your monies are deposited in an escrow account, administered by Resort Fiduciary Services Ltd. This means that no funds will be released until title has been transferred to the purchaser’s name, ensuring both parties to the agreement of sale are fully protected at all times.

We are full members of Resort Development Organisation (RDO), the governing body for timeshare in Europe. This association allows us to offer a safe and professional service to all our clients, ensuring that all legal obligations are adhered to every step of the way.

We are also Platinum Affiliates with TATOC the Timeshare Owners Association that is run on behalf of Timeshare owners by Timeshare owners.

Merlin Software is delighted to announce that its new benefit for TATOC’s resort members and affiliates will be launched this weekend at the TATOC Conference 26th-28th March at the Belfry in Nottingham, UK.

The new benefit consists of a free assessment of a resort’s current technology and a guide on the latest resort-based technology that is now available. By completing a simple questionnaire the Merlin team will assess how a resort is using technology in its daily activities and make suggestions on how the latest technology can improve procedures and operations, lower costs and streamline activities. The benefit is available to all TATOC resort members and affiliates.

Merlin’s chief developer Mike Pnematicatos explains: “Many resorts feel they are too small or mature to use the latest technologies but this simply isn’t the case.  Everyone can benefit and you don’t need to be a computer geek to understand them. A simple change or addition can save a resort a considerable sum of money every year and add new services for members to enjoy”.

TATOC already uses the services of Merlin to support the activities of the Helpline, provide statistics and reports and assist with the marketing and promotion of the Association. Harry Taylor, CEO, said “We were looking for software that could handle every aspect of our business including the Helpline. We are now able to run everything on one system rather than using multiple programmes”.

Merlin’s software is delivered directly to users through the internet, is very resource light and easy to use. It covers all aspects of a timeshare operation from maintenance fee collections and accounts to inventory control and reservations. Merlin can also interact with a resort’s website to offer online services such maintenance fee payments and rentals.

Merlin will be attending the upcoming TATOC conference on 26th -28th March and questionnaires will be issued during this time. Resort members and affiliates who are not able to attend will receive their questionnaires by email after the event.

TATOC members enjoy a number of membership benefits including timeshare industry news and information, survey results, case studies and general legal and accounting advice.

For further information, please visit Merlin at www.quickmerlin.com. For further information on TATOC, please visit www.timeshareassociation.org

Background
Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership has been developed by Mike Pnematicatos who has over 25 years experience in the timeshare industry in sales, marketing and resort management.

Using the latest web technology, Merlin is the complete software package for today’s hospitality industry and can handle all types of timeshare and holiday product.

Merlin Software incorporates modules for sales, marketing and front and back office, and its software architecture is inherently flexible. As Merlin is served over the Internet there is no requirement for any expensive communication links or set up fees and can be accessed from wherever there is an Internet connection.

TATOC, a non-profit company, was formed in 1989 to act as a networking group for the appointed members of timeshare owners’ committees. Today the Association has 70 resort members representing over 250,000 timeshare owners across Europe and is sponsored by some of Europe’s leading timeshare businesses.

Contact details
For more information on Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership contact Mike Ashton on +44 (0) 7753 910788 or by e-mail at mikea@quickmerlin.com

For more information on TATOC, The Timeshare Association contact Harry Taylor on +44 (0) 161237 3611 or by e-mail at harry.taylor@timeshareassociation.org.

Further details about the 2010 TATOC conference “Working Together” have been announced. The event is being held at the Nottingham Belfry from Friday 26th March to Sunday 28th March, 2010.

Stephen J. Cloobeck

Stephen J. Cloobeck is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Resorts International®.  Mr. Cloobeck has over 25 years of experience in development, construction, management, operations, marketing and sales of real estate properties including vacation ownership resorts, hotels, retail shopping centres, office and apartment buildings.

Today, Diamond Resorts International®, with global headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with more than 160 branded and affiliated resorts and over 24,000 guest beds in 26 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to more than 400,000 owners and members through the branded hospitality service of more than 5,500 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International® is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

Mr. Cloobeck is widely recognized as one of the most innovative, successful and accomplished entrepreneurs in the global vacation ownership industry and under his leadership, annually, nearly 1.4 million owners, members and guests enjoy the simplicity, choice and comfort Diamond Resorts International® offers through its branded hospitality experience.

This year’s conference is expected to surpass previous records for attendance and sponsorship.  It is the ideal event for timeshare owners and industry professionals to network while enjoying superb speakers.

Details of other speakers will be announced soon.

Booking forms are now available to download at www.timeshareassociation.org
For more information please contact harry.taylor@timeshareassociation.org
Telephone 00 44 (0)161 237 3611   Fax 00 44 (0)161 237 3611