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Introduction
by the Executive Director The first half of 2009 is gone and whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do to change the results at half time. The half time break is a time for us to reflect upon the happenings of the first half. VOASA has been a hive of activity with the launch of the new brand and logo in January to the highly successful VOASA 2009 Conference which was held in Johannesburg at the Southern Sun Grayston and let’s not forget our appearance at this year Tourism Indaba, which took place in Durban and saw over 2500 visitors to our stand. In this issue we highlight the 2009 VOASA Conference as well as feedback from MATCH concerning 2010. We will also be introducing you to the new board for 2010 and offer some tips on how to handle the H1N1 influenza virus. Although 2009 is almost done and dusted we are already planning for the year ahead and 2010 will see the Annual VOASA Conference being held from the 29th to the 31st of August, so make sure you make a note in your diary, not to miss this exciting event. We hope you enjoy this issue. Warmest Regards Alex Bosch Executive Director, VOASA |
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2009 Conference |
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| The Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA) held its first conference in South Africa this week. The conference, which also saw the official launch of the VOASA’s new name, logo and identity, signals a re-invention and dramatic change for the industry body. VOASA was once known as the Time Share Institute of South Africa (TISA) but in its new state now represents ‘fractional ownership’ as well. The conference opened with a presentation by keynote speaker Mr. Howard Nusbaum, President of the American Resort Development Association, reviewing the shared vacation ownership industry in the USA and highlighting the effects of the global credit crisis. The conference brought
to light some key industry issues including the important new
Consumer Protection Bill which will change the way the industry
communicates with customers, the new Companies Bill and the effect
it has on share blocks and the shift in tourism to a greener approach
along with how this will benefit both resorts and developers. |
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Tel: +27 (0)11 258 0045 OR +27 (0)21 914 9693 Email:melanie@voasa.co.za OR Email:voasa@voasa.co.za |
FEDHASA Cape Chairperson Phillip Couvaras comes out in support of an e-mail doing the rounds regarding pandemic H1N1 influenza virus precautions. The origins of the e-mail emanate from the University of Stellenbosch's Centre for Infectious Diseases, which quotes largely from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases' Revised Health Workers Handbook on Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 "Swine 'Flu". "In light of the current threat of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus around Cape Town, FEDHASA Cape recommends the industry adopt practices that ensure a high level of sanitation at all times, in order to minimize the possible outbreak or spread of infection. Hoteliers should stay informed and develop strategies and precautionary measures that protect the health and safety of employees and guests," he says. "As has been the case during previous health scares, it is important to "be prepared, but not to panic." He hastens to add that, to date, there have been no reported cases of swine influenza found in any South African hotels. In order to minimise transmission of this and any disease, FEDHASA Cape is recommending that employers act responsibly and engage in factual communication with employees. For more information about this release, or for an interview, please contact: |
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As you will have seen in the press and various other articles including the circular from the industry body VOASA (previously TISA), MATCH as the official accommodation procurers for FIFA in respect of the 2010 World Cup™, have had extensive negotiations with the general timeshare industry, including your resort, and have agreed subject to availability, to include the resort into MATCH’s accommodation portfolio. Your Resort and other Resorts in the area will be part of a concept termed “MATCH Ville”, which will operate as follows. Owners of fixed weeks which fall in the period 4 June - 16 July 2010, are hereby invited to place their weeks in the Resort’s 2010 accommodation pool, so that the Resort can then offer these weeks to MATCH to on-sell to third parties, at an approved and agreed rental rate. The critical factor is to ensure that the majority of the weeks in the Resort over that period of time are placed in the Resort’s 2010 accommodation pool, so that the MATCH Ville plan can be implemented. From this plan you can see we achieve the combined objective of; offering accommodation to the international visitors to South Africa; providing such accommodation under controlled and regulated terms, ensuring that you as the owner of the specific timeshare week receive a market-related return on your week; and that the Resort also benefits by generating an administration fee, which is placed into the levy fund. This will also mean that the Resort will be able to: offer specific programs and activities aimed at the international guests; make special arrangements regarding security and use of the units/chalets; arrange excursions into the surrounding areas to allow the local community to also benefit from the spending power of the visitors; thereby allowing all to share in the benefits of staging this once in a lifetime event, and above all make the soccer fans’ stay at the Resort a memorable one, which should then encourage them to return to South Africa as visitors in the future. Please refer to the letter from the Resort regarding the procedure you need to follow to participate in this unique venture. We also enclose a brief summary of the MATCH Ville concept for your information. |
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© VOASA Newsletter
