We have received a number of enquiries in relation to the news recently published concerning the situation surrounding the bankruptcy of Hermanos Santana Cazorla SL (HSC). We published an article explaining the truth about HSC. Quite obviously this news has caused concern amongst Anfi owners, Anfi of course being a member of the RDO, especially with fake news being perpetrated by less than reputable companies. With this in mind Jose Luis Trujillo, General Manager of the Anfi Group was quick to pen a short letter explaining that HSC are not shareholders at Anfi and as far as can be seen this bankruptcy has no effect on Anfi owners, so business as usual. This begs the question, that bearing in mind Anfi are a significant fee paying member of the Resort Development Organisation (RDO) why have they not made any comment?
Who is looking after who?
On perusing the RDO website news section there is no mention of the Anfi situation, in fact the latest post was on the 15th March and concerned the Hilton Diamond takeover. Maybe the powers that be deem the story to be so insignificant that it is not news worthy. If the numbers of enquiries we’ve received are anything to go by there is genuine owner concern, surely the organisation that promotes timeshare ownership should go to press to calm and allay the fears of owners instead of leaving it to us to not only publish but post a downloadable copy of the letter from Snr Trujillo putting owners minds at rest.
Perhaps we have it wrong, the RDO is for the promotion of resorts and developers but they have created European Resort Owners Coalition (EUROC). This branch has been set up to assist timeshare owners logically this means owner problems and information will be published on the EUROC website, so we looked, not a dickey bird. Their last post was 9th April warning DIAMOND RESORTS ACQUISITION SIGNALS INCREASE IN ROGUE BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
Good news, bad news
From an outsider looking in it appears that both the RDO and EUROC want to only publish good news and sweep potentially bad news under the carpet. It has been a trying time over the past few years for the timeshare industry with the liquidation of Silverpoint and Azure. Club la Costa liquidating four of their sales companies, Anfi, Marriott, Club la Costa and a myriad of other developers being prosecuted for illegal timeshare contract sales in Spain and of course the massive impact the Covid 19 pandemic has had on the tourism industry, what more can happen?
Is it any wonder that the RDO and EUROC shy away from publishing potentially bad news? We can sort of understand this stance because timeshare is without doubt yesterday’s holiday product and is rapidly falling out of favour with both existing owners and potential new buyers. Publishing bad news is certainly going to do nothing to turn this ailing industry around, so best pretend it hasn’t happened.
Has the RDO outlived its usefulness?
Timeshare sales in Europe are probably at the lowest levels for decades. When such a large developer as Club la Costa decide to take the bold step of terminating their sales teams and associated companies this must say something. Prior to this, Diamond Resorts closed their European sales operation.
Why when Silverpoint had some splendid resorts on Tenerife being Hollywood Mirage, Beverley Hills Heights, Beverley Hills Club and Palm Beach Club, did they suddenly disappear? Azure Malta had the magnificent Radisson Blue Golden Sands, they also went by the by. Just these facts alone are an indication of an industry in decline. Incidentally, all the above are or were members of the RDO.
Perhaps if the RDO and all its associated websites spent more time promoting the industry instead of attacking claims and exit companies and any other organisation that doesn’t sing from its hymn sheet then it might actually achieve the results it was set up to do.
Given these facts and the impact of Covid 19 resorts and developers must be feeling the pinch and watching their outgoings, as a member developer of the RDO, financial directors must be questioning the cost of annual membership and must be probing the value for money it represents.
We will be watching closely if any commentary is published on the various RDO sites, although given the lack of comment so far, we doubt it.
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