Resort Solutions is one of the largest independent management companies in Europe. But what does ‘independent’ mean?

Says the company: it means that there is no branding, no one style fits all, no mirror image from one resort to another and it recognises that because each resort is different each has different needs.

Resort Solutions manages resorts under the typical club/trustee structure, resorts registered under decree law, mixed-use resorts, condominiums and totally privately-owned resorts.  This wide spectrum calls for an in-depth knowledge of legal structures and regional law.

The resorts range from small, cosy resorts where everyone is on first-name terms within five minutes of arrival to large resorts with state of the art leisure centres, a selection of eating outlets and shops. All have different requirements.

Resorts where people want to be alone and others where they want to join in means that entertainment programmes, if any, have to meet the needs of the owners and guests.

From ski resorts to beach resorts, from locations ideal for hiking in the country to resorts ideal for retail therapy, Resort Solutions take into account what the owners and guests will be doing while on holiday and ensure that they have all of the facilities to enjoy their type of holiday.

In order to be this flexible, putting the owners and guests needs at the forefront of all decision-making requires dedicated staff from back office to reception desk with incredible commitment.

A centralised structure means there are economies of scale and control of standards while still being able to deliver flexibility to the clients.  It also means tight control of finances: owners expect their investment to be well looked after.

In this difficult time owners also expect their management company to be proactive in making savings where and when necessary. For example, at resorts managed by Resort Solutions owners were not presented with a levy to meet exchange rate differences. 

Standards and levels of customer service must also be maintained.  All staff members receive on-going training in customer service. This is not costly but reaps huge dividends in terms on continued business and excellent relationships with clients.

It’s also important that maintenance, community fees and so on are collected on a timely basis and it takes a certain persuasive assertive manner to succeed.  Central to strong finances is having outlets for those weeks that would otherwise go unused.  As an independent company Resort Solutions offers a host of outlets with third party contractors both for the rental and resale of weeks.

There is an intrinsic relationship between rentals and re-sales that many organisations fail to understand.

There is a need to rent out owners’ weeks when not used.  This should be a priority management company service:  resorts need extra income from available space and sales can result from renters wanting to buy. 

The great debate about rentals goes on but Resort Solutions actively encourage them at the right price for the right reason.

So what does professional management cost? Surprisingly, less than most people think. With centralised systems, economies of scale and improved efficiency there are many savings which, in turn, can cover partially or fully the cost of management.

Resort Solutions has been established for six years while its managing director has been handling resorts for the past 22 years.

As Ms Linda Freer states: “Of all the different types of leisure and hospitality products, timeshare is the most robust. I am confident that the industry will emerge from this recession bigger and better than ever before.”

“I saw it happen in the 80’s and the enthusiasm for the industry by the leaders in the industry has not faded at all. At the recent RDO conference business was good and the passion for which the industry is so renowned was stronger than ever.”

Taken from Sharetime magazine issue 5