ATHOC forms alliance with Acommodation Association

Advocacy for Australia’s accommodation industry has been strengthened by a formal alliance between the Accommodation Association of Australia and the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC), the main body for the timeshare industry.

The alliance will see the Accommodation Association and ATHOC share membership benefits, events, office space and resources, among other things.

Julian Clark, president of the Accommodation Association, said: “The new Accommodation Association-ATHOC alliance will help to unite the entire accommodation industry in all political, industrial and commercial forums.

“For many years, the Accommodation Association has endeavoured to establish strong working relationships with other representative bodies for the tourism and accommodation industries, through both formal and informal arrangements.

Reducing regulatory risk

“The more the accommodation industry can speak with one voice to government – and other key external stakeholders – the lower the regulatory risk to the industry.”

Barry Robinson, ATHOC president, and managing director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts, added: “This is a fantastic outcome for Australia’s timeshare sector.

“ATHOC and the Accommodation Association have enjoyed a terrific working relationship for years and ATHOC looks forward to assisting the Accommodation Association with an enhanced presence in Queensland, delivering even more benefits for members of both organisations.”

Sharing resources means the role of Laura Younger, ATHOC’s general manager, is being expanded to include her leading support for the Accommodation Association in Queensland.

In addition, Robinson has become a director of the Accommodation Association to ensure regulatory challenges facing the timeshare industry continue to be addressed in a strategic manner that minimises risk and maximise outcomes for operators of timeshare businesses.