Timeshare owners to miss out on predicted post 2022 UK tourism revival

Timeshare inflexibility highlighted with British tourism boom

Sad day for a nation brings ray of hope

The recent funeral of Queen Elizabeth the second was watched by an estimated 4 billion people worldwide, such was the appeal of the cherished British monarch.

The global coverage brought with it an unexpected, but welcome boost to a beleaguered British economy. Tourism to the British Isles is expected to flourish for years, following the world's attention being focussed on the spectacular ceremonies of our mourning nation.

Patricia Yates, chief executive for the UK's national tourism body Visit Britain expects people to "come and see our world-renowned attractions, our culture, heritage and history for themselves and, as we look ahead to the coronation of King Charles III, to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you can only have in Britain."

More than our history

Britain has over 2000 years of history visible everywhere in our islands, But people are discovering that there is much more on offer than palaces, castles, spectacle and tradition. The expected tourism boost is not only visitors from other countries. Native Brits are falling back in love with holidays at home.

"You are so used to wanting to go abroad that you forget what we actually have right here on our doorstep," says Jim, a 55 year old property specialist from Yorkshire. "We have the Highlands, the Dales and the Lake District. Our beaches and countryside are glorious. Our cities are vibrant and fun."

"Just as importantly my pound goes a lot further right here in the UK. I really don't see myself paying out to fly abroad again anytime soon."

Sea change, but only for some

Many other Brits are expected to follow suit. Holidays abroad are having less and less appeal. Inflation, real-terms-income-loss, and the pound's loss of value have coincided with this rekindled love affair with our native shores.

Modern holidays have evolved to the point where people can go where they want, when they want. They can specify a budget, and choose the length of stay. They can design exactly the holiday they want via apps and booking sites. In short they have perfect flexibility... unless they own a timeshare.

Resort members are legally committed to a system designed in the 1960s, with minimal improvements since. There have been much hyped changes, such as exchange mechanisms, "floating weeks" or the Points System. But all of these are widely acknowledged to be ineffective, while costs have risen at an alarming rate.

Timeshare exchange systems do exist but with owners often struggling to find the availability they want and having to register their exchange so far in advance, many have given up. They have learned to accept that on the whole they have to holiday in their home resort,usually for a fixed amount of weeks, and they are forced to pay every year, whether they use it or not.

Of course there are a number of timeshare resorts based in the UK, and owners at these resorts may in fact benefit from the increased demand for UK based holiday accommodation but this only represents the minority of UK timeshare owners with the majority owning in Spain.

Help at hand

The good news is that although timeshare contracts are designed to prevent members leaving the club, it is possible with expert help. "Holidaymakers need flexibility more than ever before," explains Andrew Cooper, CEO of European Consumer Claims. "They won't accept the cookie cutter packages that satisfied previous generations. "They want to be able to go (for example) to Niagra falls, next week, for eleven days, seven of those in a hotel and three in a motor home.

"They want their holiday to provide the experience they are looking for, to match their budget and to fit their time preferences.

"Timeshare owners are seeing that other holidaymakers have this freedom, and they want it too."

For advice on timeshare claims or relinquishment, get in touch with the team at ECC.