ARDA Inside Look - Issue 14

Issue 14 | March 25, 2021

The Timeshare Industry Today

First Word

President/CEO Jason Gamel

Dear Readers,

March continues to show positive signs for the hospitality industry which is very encouraging for ARDA members on so many levels. We are also encouraged by the latest information on vaccine roll-outs, the effects of federal legislation aimed at stimulating the economy and providing much needed help to the tourism industry. The return to vacation optimism is being celebrated by timeshare owners across the globe as they share photos, experiences and engage with our LoveMyTimeshare campaign. It’s reassuring and exciting to watch so many embrace the happiness they find in timeshare ownership! The greater the participation, the more we share our timeshare story. So please follow this campaign by sharing, following and engaging as a proud ARDA member and industry leader yourself. Lastly, I encourage you to join us for Timeshare Together, our 2021 Annual Spring Convention with details below. Whether you plan to connect with us virtually or in-person, we can’t wait to see you soon!

Member Matters

Laugh, Love and Share this video with your team members, family and friends. Lovemytimeshare.com where you can share, join and follow us on:

Walk Around the Christel House World
Get fit. Have fun. Raise funds!
Click to Register Now!

Events

There’s still time to register for the Timeshare Young Professionals (TYPG) Virtual Meeting, March 31.
You won’t want to miss this interactive and exciting personal branding series: Featuring speaker Kaplan Mobray.

Click here for more info!

JW Marriott Orlando, FL- June 6-10, 2021
ARDA's Reimagined Spring Conference is right around the corner.
Registration opens March 29 - We can’t wait to see you either in person or virtually!

Click here for more info!

Federal and State Legislation

The ARDA Legislative Policy Council (LPC) is heading into Q2 with some shiny new advocacy tools to help enhance and protect the industry and owners. LPC staff has been working with its legislative tracking vendor to build the capability to track timeshare issues at the city and county level. Over the past couple of years, we have seen more and more local issues having an impact on our industry. Local issues move fast and the ability to get ahead of them is crucial to our ability to effectively work them.
A great example is an issue we are facing in the City of Steamboat Springs, CO. They are discussing implementing a tax on timeshare owners as part of a larger campaign to address chronic revenue shortfalls. There seems to be some support for taxing timeshare owners who generally don’t live and vote in the City as a proposed solution. We are working to both educate the City on the problems involved in trying to single out timeshare for a new tax, and preparing to vigorously oppose the tax if necessary. Any new tax would have to be placed on the ballot and be approved during the general election in November 2021.
At the state level in Florida there are two privacy bills of concern that are being put forth by the majority, with support from the Governor. To date, the data privacy regimes passed in California and the EU have created significant compliance challenges and risks for businesses who fail to meet those standards. HB 969 and SB 1734, as currently written, would enact a regime that is broader and more punitive than California’s CCPA, as it grants a private right of action for a variety of violations and would take effect as early as January 1, 2022 providing very little time for businesses to prepare. ARDA has joined a wide cross-section of Florida business groups seeking reasonable changes to the legislation.
For more information on the LPC and how to get involved in legislative issues, please visit the ARDA website or reach out to a member of the team.