The Resort Development Organisation (RDO), once a formidable timeshare pressure group, has long claimed to be committed to high standards and integrity. However, a deeper investigation reveals a questionable history and unsavory connections that cast doubt on their proclaimed values. This article delves into the true nature of the RDO, its members’ notorious activities, and the current state of this beleaguered organization. We will explore who they are, their alleged advocacy for consumer protection, the controversial members of their roster, the questionable leadership, and the significant decline in their influence and membership.
Who Are the RDO?
The RDO is a lobbyist protection group for European timeshare-related entities, pooling resources to further their interests. Their website asserts that RDO members represent the best in European vacation ownership, committed to high service standards and bound by a code of conduct. They also claim to offer an independent arbitration scheme that provides protection beyond legal requirements. These claims might sound reassuring, but they warrant closer scrutiny. The RDO‘s self-description suggests an organization dedicated to consumer protection and ethical practices. However, the reality appears starkly different when examining their actions and affiliations. The RDO‘s primary function seems to be safeguarding the interests of its affluent members rather than genuinely advocating for timeshare consumers.
Sign of Changing Fortunes for European Timeshare
Despite the RDO‘s lofty claims, European Consumer Claims (ECC) and other consumer organizations have struggled to find any instance of the RDO advocating for timeshare owners misled by illegal contracts or those seeking to escape unfair agreements. The touted “arbitration” seems skewed towards defending wealthy timeshare bosses rather than supporting timeshare victims. Consumer organizations report that RDO has not actively intervened in cases where timeshare owners face hardships due to misleading sales practices or illegal contract terms. This inaction raises serious questions about the RDO‘s commitment to consumer protection. Instead of being a beacon of hope for wronged timeshare owners, the RDO appears to be an enabler of unethical practices, failing to hold its members accountable.
Rogues Gallery of Members
The RDO‘s phrases like “committed to high service standards and integrity” and “bound by a code of conduct” appear to be more rhetoric than reality. Their membership roster includes some of the most notorious offenders in timeshare consumer breaches:
➤ Club La Costa World (CLC World)
Known for illegal contracts and resisting court-ordered compensation through legal maneuvering and complex corporate structures. CLC World has been a major player in the timeshare industry for decades, but its reputation is marred by numerous legal battles and consumer complaints. Under the leadership of Roy Peires, CLC World has employed various tactics to evade financial responsibilities, leaving countless consumers without justice.
➤ Anfi, MVCI Europe, Hilton, and Diamond
These major timeshare companies have histories of similar transgressions. Anfi, for instance, has been embroiled in legal issues for ignoring consumer protection laws. MVCI Europe admitted in their 2022 annual report that their contracts did not comply with Spanish timeshare laws enacted in 1998, showcasing a blatant disregard for legal standards.
➤ Silverpoint in Tenerife
Globally recognized for large-scale consumer fraud. Silverpoint‘s practices have been widely condemned, and the company’s former CEO, Mark Cushway, has been linked to extensive fraudulent activities.
➤ Seasons Holidays
Under investigation for multiple alleged abuses of customers. Seasons Holidays‘ history includes numerous allegations of misleading sales practices, aggressive marketing tactics, and failure to honor contractual obligations.
Tainted Leadership
RDO‘s leadership also raises concerns. Mark Cushway, a long-serving RDO board member, was the CEO of the disgraced timeshare fraud operation Silverpoint. Cushway‘s involvement in fraudulent activities has tarnished the RDO‘s reputation, and his current whereabouts are unknown, with rumors placing him in locations like Dubai, the Caribbean, or Thailand.
Calvin Lucock, another board member, led Anfi Del Mar resort through decades of illegal operations. Under Lucock‘s leadership, Anfi Del Mar blatantly ignored consumer protection laws, extracting significant sums from unsuspecting consumers through dubious sales practices. Eugene Miskelly, the RDO’s Legislative Council Chairman, simultaneously served as General Counsel for CLC World, arguably involved in one of the largest legal scandals in European timeshare history. Miskelly‘s dual roles raise serious questions about his ability to provide impartial guidance on legislative matters, given his deep ties to one of the industry’s most controversial entities.
Other notable board members include Lee Dowling, Managing Director of Marriott Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. MVCI in Europe has been deeply embroiled in court actions over illegal contracts, further highlighting the problematic nature of RDO‘s leadership. This leadership composition indicates a deep conflict of interest within the organization, where those at the helm have significant stakes in perpetuating the status quo rather than fostering genuine consumer protection.
Failure to Acknowledge 25 Years of Criminality
The RDO purports to protect consumers through high service standards, fraud investigations, and collaboration with authorities. However, for the past 25 years, RDO members have consistently violated consumer laws with the organization’s full knowledge. Their free complaint handling service is largely ineffective, and there is scant evidence of meaningful action against fraudulent timeshare companies. Instead, the RDO seems focused on protecting the resorts that have illicitly taken millions from consumers.
The RDO‘s website claims their members are committed to high service standards and adhere to a code of conduct. They also state they work with authorities to investigate fraudulent activities and close down rogue companies. However, the reality starkly contrasts these assertions. The RDO has failed to address the widespread illegal activities within its ranks and has not actively collaborated with authorities to curb fraudulent practices. Their complaint handling service, touted as a consumer protection measure, appears to be more of a facade. Numerous timeshare owners have reported receiving no response or inadequate assistance when seeking help through this service. This lack of effective consumer support further undermines the RDO‘s credibility and raises questions about their true motives.
Membership Plummeting
The RDO‘s fortunes have declined significantly, with membership dropping from 47 to 30, and rumors of further departures. Only 12 members are actual resorts/developers. Due to numerous court judgments against major timeshare companies in Europe, timeshare sales in Spain have nearly halted. Sources indicate the RDO now operates with only three part-time staff members, reflecting its drastically reduced financial state.
This decline in membership and financial stability is a clear indicator of the RDO‘s waning influence. The organization’s inability to maintain a robust membership base reflects growing disillusionment within the industry. The cessation of relations with consumer organization KwikChex, which previously managed RDO-funded websites aimed at promoting fairness in the timeshare industry, is another symptom of the RDO‘s dire situation. Public statements from KwikChex have cited a lack of funding and disagreements over owner safeguarding as reasons for the severed relationship.
Conclusion
The RDO‘s history and current state paint a picture of an organization more concerned with protecting its wealthy members than upholding consumer rights. Despite their claims of integrity and high service standards, the evidence suggests a legacy of legal violations and consumer exploitation. As the RDO struggles to survive amidst plummeting membership and financial woes, its future remains uncertain. Consumers and regulatory bodies must remain vigilant to ensure fair practices in the timeshare industry. The RDO‘s decline should serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for genuine consumer protection measures and transparent industry practices. Only through collective effort and rigorous oversight can the timeshare industry hope to regain consumer trust and operate with integrity.
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