A non-profit trade association founded over 20 years ago has recently formed a task force to establish a code of ethics for the vacation travel club industry. C.A.R.E. (Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers) was originally formed by representatives from timeshare resorts who found that by exchanging vacation inventory among themselves, they were better able to satisfy their owners with increased vacation opportunities. Today, the C.A.R.E. member base of approximately 175 companies is comprised of resort developers, management firms, exchange organizations, travel clubs and resort service providers. C.A.R.E feels that establishing a code of ethics for the vacation travel club industry will go a long way in promoting ethical sales and business practices. "We believe this will ultimately result in generating industry, consumer and legislative goodwill" its spokesperson was quoted as saying. C.A.R.E. is an international organization with members in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia offering 2,500 vacation properties and service to 1 million vacation owners and members. For further info, please visit www.care-online.org

RCI, the shared ownership and travel exchange company, is to host a two-day conference and workshop programme covering the timeshare and shared ownership sector. Under the theme of New Horizons in Shared Ownership, the event is co-hosted by RCI's parent company, Cendant Vacation Network Group, and specialist industry consultants, Ragatz Consulting. Set to take place at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai from April 28-29, the event aims to attract business investors, real estate developers and specialists from the industry. The shared leisure real estate market is booming globally and clearly possesses great potential for investors within the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Timeshare growth worldwide over the next five years is expected to be around 50%, but probably greater than that in the Gulf area, where so many major tourism developments are underway. RCI's Middle East operation, now head- quartered in Dubai, aims to use the symposium as a means of explaining how the shared ownership sector can play a pivotal role in making these developments a success.

Timeshare Vacations For Dummies is new guide to timeshare vacations that has been published recently. There are 5,425 timeshare resorts in the world, 1590 of them in the U.S. Timeshares are a natural subject for a Dummies book, because the process can be confusing, even threatening, and people need help steering safely through the shoals. The guide answers questions from both existing timeshare owners and those who are considering buying one--what are the smartest ways to buy and sell; are timeshares a wise investment; how do owners find the best swaps; which resorts and destinations offer the best deal for your money, interests and schedule, both domestically and abroad. Check out http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764584421/hospitalitynet/104-7833411-8607167

March 21, 2006
Chennai