Tuesday, 30th June 2009
Action taken against timeshare touts
With reference to Peter Wognum's letter Dishonest Timeshare Touts Spoiling Malta (June 25), I would like to clarify a few of the points that were raised.
Over the past two to three years legislation and rules regulating timeshare vendors, or OPCs as they are referred to, have been stepped up considerably. Today, the behaviour of all OPCs is subject to intense scrutiny, while the few less-than-ethical timeshare sales reps, along with the companies they represent, are liable to pay significant fines as well as, in certain cases, the suspension of their license for breaking these regulations. Moreover, the number of OPCs and/or timeshare companies that have been charged in this regard has increased consistently.
In 2006, the Malta Tourism Authority's Quality Assurance (Enforcement) division pressed charges on 21 occasions, increasing to 62 last year. In the first few months of this year 33 charges have so far been issued.
The MTA will continue to remain vigilant in ensuring that the OPC code of conduct and regulations are adhered to at all times, taking all the necessary measures to charge those individuals and companies who flaunt the rules.
Anyone witnessing or being at the receiving end of unacceptable behaviour by timeshare reps may report such incidents to the MTA (info@visitmalta.com or 2291 5400) or by lodging a complaint at the nearest police station.
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Comments
to MTA .... this evidence not only broke MTA laws but also Maltese laws ..... what reply did I get from MTA ??/........it is a civil matter and they cannot get involved ....who is scratching who's back here ?
Will the last tourist leaving Malta who is also sick to death of timeshare scams and companies ....please turn the light off please!!!
you can have your enforcement team set up their office on Tower Road opposite the Preluna Hotel and between Surfside and Torri. These are the Sliema hot spots where tourists are constantly harassed. Here one can see a number of timeshare reps wearing tourist info T shirts; so 3rd class! :(
Another Hot Zone is the harbour cruises quay at the Ferry where competition to fill the boats leaves only one victim THE TOURIST. Solicitation should be banned BASTA. Anybody selling anything should be confined to a booth and only speak to people where they are spoken to.
Most cannot be bothered, be they the department or the individual employees. I have often been advised not to bother with minor irritations as nothing will be done. I give you bus drivers and street furniture as classic examples. Those purpetrating these annoyances know that little if anything will ever be done.
Your correspondant is right when he says that such irritations will mean that some will vote with their feet and return less often or not at all.
I however have the answer for the retched time share touts. I walk alone in such areas and avoid Buggiba as often as possible. These leaches rarely approach people on their own, so if you are a couple, walk a few paces behind the other.
If you wait for the authorities put things right in this lovely Island you'll be too old to enjoy the Maltese hospitality!
So according to Mr Drake In 2006, the Malta Tourism Authority's Quality Assurance (Enforcement) division pressed charges on 21 occasions, increasing to 62 last year. In the first few months of this year 33 charges have so far been issued.
Some success!!!!!! It just shows you that these people are nothing but a bunch of anarchists when it comes to law. The solution is simple, either they operate from a shop (licenced premises) and not from hotel foyers OR even better NOT OPERATE AT ALL. They are nothing but pests that pester the innocent tourist and some Maltese
I witness what I feel is unacceptable behaviour by timeshare reps every morning along Tower Road and in front of the Preluna Hotel and at the Ferries . What do you consider being unacceptable behaviour ? And is it my job to clean up the scams going on along the Sliema seafront ? I repeat , I'm really sorry for the British tourists being targeted by these OPC's . But it is your job to enforce your regulations or to change them if necessary ! Just send someone from your authority along every morning to watch the game that is being played . Otherwise our guests will vote on your actions by not booking a repeat visit to Malta .Who else is responsible if not the MTA ? You will be judged by the declining number of visitors .
A couple of years ago, I was informed by a lady from the MTA that every survey held among visitors showed this particular problem to be at the top of their dislikes list.
This being the case, and in view of the many unfavourable letters/comments which have appeared over the years, could the MTA please tell us, officially, why the practice is allowed to continue? I don't doubt Mr Drake's statistics for one moment but it is apparent his efforts are not bearing fruit.
concerns about touts,and never had the courtesy to respond!!!
They should be stopped and if anyone is caught s/he should be heavily fined and expelled from Malta if s/he is a foreigner.
Hotels who want to offer timeshare should do so only on their website.
If persons want to buy timeshare they can look for offers on websites.
Timeshare touts (and others) are killing our goose that lays the golden eggs.
We all know that the reason that Timeshare Touts are still harassing our visitors is because the people who could make a difference and eradicate this problem are the same ones have vested interests in Timeshare, sit on Government Boards and have enough pull with the Authorities to allow the harassment to continue!