Name Change For Timeshare Organisation 25 Mar 09
OTE (Organisation for Timeshare in Europe) announced today that it has changed its name to Resort Development Organisation (RDO). The new name is reflective of developments in the vacation ownership industry, which has changed dramatically since the 1960s when timeshare was first sold, giving the consumer a fixed week at one resort. Since then new forms of vacation ownership have emerged giving the consumer more flexibility and choice, such as floating weeks*, the points system* and, more recently, fractional ownership*, private residence clubs*, destination clubs* and condo hotels*. RDO's chairman, Richard McIntosh said: "I believe that RDO truly reflects the extensive range of holiday options now available in the vacation ownership market. By widening the scope of the organisation's membership, we are representing the industry as a whole rather than just focusing on timeshare. Under RDO, the free complaints resolution service and dispute resolution scheme will be opened up to more people. The level of complaints for timeshare is at a very low level and is decreasing year on year, which compares starkly with other holiday options, such as holiday clubs (or discount travel clubs), which are not governed by specific legislation and do not benefit from trade body representation," concludes McIntosh. RDO will continue to promote best practice and fair trading in all areas of the industry; to work closely with governments, consumer bodies and relevant NGOs to ensure that legislation is appropriate and fair; to protect consumers via its code of conduct and to help the authorities to combat fraud.
