(18 December) The House of Lords endorses the European Commission plans for an improved Timeshare Directive but recomends that the cooling-off period should be 21, not 14, days. Full report
(12 December) Club Sunterra is renamed “THE Club” in a re-branding exercise by their new owners, Diamond Resorts Inc, of Las Vegas.
(12 December) The Unfair Commercial Practices (“UCP”) Directive becomes law.
(5 November) IAC Corp announces plans to spin off into five separate companies, one of them being Interval International.
(31 October) The House of Lords decided that the use of a credit card overseas will continue to be protected by the Consumer Credit Act..
(24 October) There will be an update of the John Palmer story in “Roger Cook’s Greatest Hits” on ITV1 on Tuesday 30 October at 9pm
(12 October) UKRE launch a new website to provide a low cost service to timeshare owners wishing to rent out their weeks. More details at www.rent-accom.com
(6 October) VOICE (“Vacation Owners Independant Coalition in Europe”), a joint venture between OTE and TATOC, which was established to provide consumer advice, is to close in December 2007.
(5 October) The Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”) Scambusters Team launch a campaign to warn consumers about becoming involved with bogus holiday clubs.
(2 October) Credit card issuers will today appear at the House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal judgment that section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 applies to overseas transactions.
(22 August) A claim for damages, in the Nevada Court, is filed against Diamond Resorts, who bought Sunterra Corp. in April 2007, alleging that Sunterra Corp. misled their stockholders.
(2 August) Hilton opens a new hotel and timeshare resort (Hilton Grand Vacation Club) in Vilamoura, Portugal
( 14 July) John Palmer is arrested by Spanish Police and held in custody in Madrid on allegations of bribery, arms possession, corruption, money-laundering, drug-trafficking, forging credit cards and passports, issuing threats and ordering acts of violence.
(3 July) Butlins opens their new timeshare apartments at Minehead, Somerset.
(7 June) European Commission announce their proposals for a new Timeshare Directive.
(15 May) TCA moves to larger offices.
(18 April) The Chief Executive of OTE, Anthony Arke, resigns.
(1 March) The European Commission, the Office of Fair Trading (London) and the Spanish Consumer Centres (Madrid) have joined forces to warn consumers about the dangers of becoming involved in holiday clubs.
(1 February) Febrary is “Scams Awareness Month” as the Office of Fair Trading advise consumers to avoid invitations to holiday club presentations. Full details
(23 January) The appeal by Holiday Options against a Gloucester Court decision that Shakespeare Classic Line Houseboats (at Barton Turns Marina) were covered by the Timeshare Act 1992 failed.
(9 January) Montechorro Beach Club (now called Oura View Beach Club) launches an owners group – website here
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk