Vacation Ownership Association (VOASA)

[AB] The Timeshare Institute of Southern Africa (TISA) was officially landed in 1993 with the mission and object intention to govern business practices within the Timeshare industry through a Code of Conduct to protect the interest of both consumers and the industry and promoting an equitable, negotiated balance between these interests.  The industry in 1993 consisted of conventional timeshare week modules utilised by timeshare owners.

The industry has since evolved through the introduction of new products based on the underlying timeshare structures such as timeshare points, vacation clubs, destination clubs and fractional ownership, giving the consumer greater flexibility and choice.  In 2007 TISA created a business strategy plan in terms of which these new products would be incorporated in the industry which had evolved to a model of shared vacation ownership products and to re-brand the industry, hence the name change and re-branding to Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA) to embrace all stakeholders in the shared vacation ownership industry.

[AB] VOASA is the only shared vacation ownership body or association with a code of conduct agreed with and mandated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – other informal associations may exist but are not known by VOASA.

[AB] VOASA is a self-regulated non-profit association funded through it's membership base with no governmental subsidy

[AB] The current membership of  VOASA totals 197 members; the greater majority thereof being corporate entities

[AB] VOASA offers guidance on legislation affecting the industry; ensuing that accommodation schemes are, structured correctly in terms of the required legal framework; attending on general enquiries or complaints received pertaining to the industry and an alternative dispute resolution through mediation.

[AB] VOASA offers membership in Developer, Exchange Organisation, Owners Association, Brokers and managing agent categories.

[AB] VOASA will attend a stand at the Annual Indaba Exposition, various workshops for members as well as the Annual VOASA Conference 29 to 31 August 2010 in Durban, South Africa.

[AB] VOASA assisted a number of timeshare resorts and vacation clubs to engage in discussion with MATCH, the accommodation arm of FIFA 2010, and to enter into agreements endorsed by VOASA.

[AB] As in all property related industries, the shared vacation ownership market has been negatively affected by the current economic downturn.

Indications are positive that the economy and thus the property market will pick up later in 2010. Against this, our industry is faced with the challenges of the new Companies Act 2008 and the Consumer Protection 2008, both statures of legislation coming into effect during 2010; to balance the effect and the sustainability of the industry to positively grow.