The Timeshare Association, TATOC, announces six new resorts have gained coveted Accreditation Award

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- TATOC is delighted to announce that six new resorts have achieved its Resort Accreditation Award bringing the total number of accredited resorts to 21. The six resorts are:

•   The Osborne Club, Torquay, England
•   The Kenmore Club, Scotland
•   Club del Carmen, Lanzarote
•   Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club, Tenerife
•   DeVere Cameron House at Loch Lomond, Scotland
•   DeVere The Carrick at Loch Lomond Scotland

The TATOC Resort Accreditation Programme was launched in 2008 as an independent award for resorts who meet the gold standard of holiday experience for guests and owners alike. The aim of the programme is to give full recognition to resorts that are truly customer-driven in their approach to timeshare ownership and are willing to commit to all requirements of the association’s code of ethics.

The award demonstrates an openness and willingness to involve owners in formulating the fundamental attributes and ethos of the resort, as well as ensuring that all facilities and services are of the highest quality.

Resorts who apply for Accreditation undergo an inclusive on-site inspection and audit. If successful, they can use the TATOC Accredited Resort logo at their resort and in all company advertising, publications and websites. A modest fee is charged for the inspection. The Accreditation process is rigorous, robust and comprehensive. The association believes it is essential that the award is seen as hard-earned and meaningful.

The result is a justifiable pride which is common to both management and staff and a mutual trust and understanding between them. The TATOC accreditation flag flying from the masthead gives prospective purchasers, as well as exchange visitors and guests, an assurance that, judged from a consumer’s rather than a developer’s or management company standpoint, the holiday experience provided is one of real value.

The TATOC accreditation team considers aspects such as:

•   The standard of accommodation and leisure facilities.
•   The marketing that brought a guest or owner to the resort complex.
•   The health, fire and safety standards at the resort.  
•   The sales practices at the resort
•   The customer service levels provided by the resort, before, during and after a visit.

Resorts that meet the criteria will be given a certificate that is valid for three years from the date of the accreditation award.

During the 1980s and 1990’s the reputation of timeshare in Europe was severely denigrated.  It affected all organisations even those that have always adhered to legislation, acted with honour and integrity and the consumer’s best interests in mind.  Any resort applying for and passing the accreditation process will be declaring themselves to be open and honest operators - resorts that have nothing to hide and everything of which to be proud. In this way, the industry’s tarnished reputation can be repaired and improved.

As TATOC is the only elected Consumer Association for timeshare owners in Europe, the accreditation should be viewed as wholly independent of commercial influence, not shrouded in politics or bureaucracy of any nature and something that is being conducted with the ultimate best interests of the consumer in mind.  
     
Mr. Harry Taylor, TATOC CEO and part of the accreditation team explained “The accreditation process is undertaken by a qualified practitioner and the resort will be continually monitored to ensure that it continues with the high standards expected. However, if there are in the future complaints that warrant investigation by TATOC and the complaints are proven to be a breach of the accreditation criteria, the resort may have its Accredited Certificate removed. In this way, guests and owners can be reassured that accredited resorts have not only met the criteria during the accreditation process but keep doing so – it is not a one-off”.

Background information:

The Timeshare Association (Timeshare Owners and Committees) TATOC was formed in 1989 and is the only elected consumer association representing the interests of timeshare owners in Europe.  Member resorts are located across Europe giving TATOC access to over 275,000 timeshare-owning families. The mission of TATOC is to safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the voice of owners. In 2010, TATOC has focused not only on increasing the membership base but also raising the profile of the Association, establishing TATOC as the recognized voice of the timeshare consumer and an informed point of contact.

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TATOC, the Timeshare Association, is a non-profit limited company which exists to safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the acknowledged voice of owners.