Tourists get clubbed while on holiday

The Guardian
August 11, 2001

The European Consumer Centre (ECC) issued a warning to consumers to beware of Holiday Clubs while abroad.

Holiday clubs offer luxury annual holidays at knock down prices to potential members. Club membership can last from 12 to 35 months after which members are often told that they can redeem their money. So, in theory, members can enjoy fabulous holidays in beautiful resorts for a fraction of the cost and even get their money back after their membership terminates. But Holiday Clubs are not all they seem.

Over the past year the ECC has received numerous complaints from people who have joined Holiday Clubs. The cost of Holiday Club membership can range from £3,000 to £15,000. The complaints concern unavailability of flights and accommodation, contracts in sterling not punts and threatening letters from the Holiday Clubs demanding money. Unlike Timeshare, which is covered by EU legislation, there is no cooling off period. If you decide when you get home that it is too expensive, you can’t withdraw from the contract.

Read this entire article in The Nenaugh Guardian Newspaper