The Resort Development Organisation (RDO), the pan-European industry body governing the shared holiday ownership industry, launched its consumer website, gotimeshare.org, just over a year ago to provide a reliable source of information on timeshare ownership. The site presents simple explanations of the timeshare concept and product, highlighting its benefits as well as the things consumers should be aware of and looking to avoid. It was intended to help educate the public at large, engaging those who knew nothing of the product – or may only have heard the negative news about it – as well as providing an online community for those who already owned at a timeshare resort to help them get the best out of their holiday ownership.

In a short time, RDO has succeeded in getting its consumer website accredited as a source site by Google for inclusion in Google News. Google has strict selection criteria and is reported to admit only about 4,500 websites to its worldwide source list. Being part of Google News increased visits to the website by 90%. RDO welcomes sponsors of the site, giving original and topical material supplied a good chance of Google selection for syndication thereby increasing its exposure worldwide. Anyone interested in sponsoring the site should contact Sue McNicol at smcnicol@btinternet.com.

RDO has since launched a fractional owners’ website – www.gofractional.org – which is designed to provide access to everything a consumer needs to know about buying and owning a fractional property.

RCI sponsors and supports the RDO sites as it values the presence of an independent industry body offering reliable and authoritative information and news to the consumer. Through RDO’s tireless efforts to promote its sites, especially its early success with Google and gotimeshare.org, the RDO is championing the business interests of everyone involved in the industry and providing an invaluable means of educating the general public and getting the message about what a truly fantastic product timeshare is.

• gotimeshare.org website