AIRDA urges timeshare buyers to remain vigilant

India’s timeshare body the All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA), has urged the country’s prospective customers to only buy timeshare from AIRDA accredited member resorts.

The move comes in response to a range of fraudulent activities that have plagued the industry in India, and a press release sent out by B S Rathor, Advisor and Member Executive Committee, underlined the safety assurance that goes with purchasing timeshare from AIRDA accredited member resorts.

AIRDA is an independent, non-profit advisory dedicated to the timeshare and vacation ownership industry in India. It aims to consolidate efforts towards building a safe, stable, and robust organised sector for timeshare in the hospitality industry.

B S Rathor

Rathor also explained that the purchase of a timeshare, a gateway to vacations at premier resorts in popular domestic and international destinations is often an emotional decision. However, it has come to the notice of AIRDA that a number of fly-by-night timeshare operators are misguiding potential timeshare buyers and fraudulently selling memberships and falsely claiming to get exchanges anytime with resorts operating under the purview of AIRDA.

The commissions offered on sales for such memberships range between 70-75 per cent, which is a matter of serious concern, as with only 25 per cent remaining, developers cannot sustain long term-servicing of the needs of members and their vacation interests. These operators will eventually close down because this method of operation is non-viable.

As per AIRDA guidelines, consumers interested in buying a timeshare are urged to keep note of the following:

• Purchase timeshares from AIRDA accredited and RCI-affiliated resorts only
• Be wary of timeshare sales people who do not reveal the purchase price upfront
• Check for complaints about the seller, developer and management company
• Don’t act on impulse or be swayed by high-pressure sales tactics
• Think of a timeshare purchase as a lifestyle purchase, not an investment

AIRDA also advises consumers to visit its website www.airda.org to obtain authentic and official information, and avoid being misguided by unscrupulous elements operating in the industry.