The Timeshare Effect

I stole the title of this month's subject from a letter to the editor published in the Times of Malta from two visitors to this magical island and feel quite sure they would approve. I am reproducing the letter in full to enforce what I have to say on this controversial subject.

There is no doubt that these prospecting practices must be stamped out around the globe. Many markets have already taken steps to curtail the uncontrolled attack on visitors by unscrupulous touts. For the most part I am thankful to report the old high pressure sales techniques employed on the sales decks have all but vanished. The product that we offer is so good, with a proven track record, that customers in ever increasing numbers are joining the ranks of those of us who no longer have to put up with substandard holiday accommodations, but enjoy the luxury of owning our own vacation getaways in superb resorts around the world. However, unfortunately there still exists in places like Malta a Mafia style group of unscrupulous individuals who will stop at nothing to further their own interests without regard to the needs of clients they are misleading into believing they've won a major prize or accepting a gift. I have seen and overheard these presentations to seniors in their 80's.

I have overheard them telling their guests to lie to the reception about their married status and age in order to qualify for their free gift - often a .75p bottle of cheap wine or a .40p piece of jewellery.

THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

The government here is reviewing the situation and unless the developers and their marketing agents make some dramatic changes soon - they may no longer have the opportunity for self regulation.

The Timeshare industry is vital to Malta's economic future. It would be a shame if anything were to slow down the development of this valuable asset to the growth of tourism here.

Come visit us soon.

Peter J. Shield ARP

John and Lesley Curley, Preston, UK.

We were recently extremely lucky to spend a week in Malta. It was our first visit and we felt the welcome was excellent while the Maltese people are friendly and obliging in the extreme.

To add to our pleasure the weather was especially warm and we enjoyed our trips round the island by bus. Our hotel, the San Anton, was beautifully clean, the food plentiful and the staff efficient.

It was therefore especially disappointing to find our holiday marred by the continual pestering and aggressive behaviour of the timeshare touts. While we found the first half dozen approaches amusing, we were extremely annoyed by the time we had walked down from the hotel to the centre square of the town on our first morning. This took us only half an hour. In fact all the hotel guests called it "Timeshare Square" and avoided going there if at all possible. This can only have affected the trade of local bars and shops as we were certainly put off browsing around the streets.

Sadly, the effect was so detrimental that we will not be returning to Malta. It is a shame because we could easily have spent months exploring Valletta alone!

If there is some legal way to curtail these anti-social people we feel sure that this can only benefit the cause of tourism in Malta.

We have also sent a copy of this letter to the Minister of Tourism and the management of the San Anton Hotel, whose trade will undoubtedly suffer as a result of these people.

Should the situation change we would certainly love to revisit Malta.

Till next month..................

Peter J. Shield ARP

(Visit http://GoingGlobalTV.com for a complete update on Peter's activities in Malta.)

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Contact Peter at pshield@onvol.net

Shield International Mkt. Ptrs. (Malta) Ltd - Promoting Malta's Heritage, 72 Triq IL Lampara, Bahar ic Chghaq, Malta NXR08, telephone number +(356) 21382257, Mobile number +(356) 99402956