2020 has thrown the world into chaos: financial markets have crashed, millions have lost their jobs, cities and countries have been locked down and travel bans introduced. For most people, the priority has been staying safe and, where possible, protecting their finances — with holidays the last thing on their mind.
Many people with holidays booked in 2020 saw their trips cancelled, with hotels and flights refunded. A lot of timeshare owners, however, were not so lucky — being told that the 2020 maintenance fees they paid in advance would not be refunded, even though travel was heavily restricted during COVID-19.
For a short window, the UK introduced an air bridge to Spain and some holidaymakers took the gamble to make the most of cheaper deals. It didn’t last. Tens of thousands were then told they would have to quarantine on their return to the UK, creating knock-on disruption for people needing to get back to work.
With hindsight, many will have wished they had never left the UK. After hours of travelling through airports and on flights wearing a face mask, those heading to Spain discovered that masks were mandatory everywhere, at all times. It wasn’t exactly the holiday experience many expected — or hoped for.
The impact of COVID-19 has been profound and will cause insecurity and instability for years to come. Travel is one of the major industries likely to be affected for the foreseeable future, with countries concerned about further damage to their people and economies if travellers import the virus.
Nobody likes making sacrifices — especially giving up the chance of a break away. But these are unusual times, and “the new normal”, as the media call it, demands a REALITY CHECK.
- Will many holidaymakers want to endure chaotic and uncomfortable travel conditions? NO
- Will many take the risk of being required to quarantine when re-entering the UK? NO
- When will travel return to normal? WHO KNOWS
- Will most timeshare owners lose their 2020 occupancy? YES
- Have most timeshare owners received a timeshare maintenance fee refund for 2020? NO
- Will timeshare resorts bill for next year’s maintenance fees? MOST CERTAINLY YES
- Will travel return to normal next year? MOST LIKELY NOT
- Even if it did, will timeshare resorts be able to fulfil bookings for those lost 2020 holidays in 2021? MOST CERTAINLY NOT
- Will hotel prices drop next year and offer great value for those who choose to travel? MOST CERTAINLY YES
- Does it make sense to own a timeshare with this level of uncertainty — and the requirement to pay mandatory, non-refundable maintenance fees whether you can use it or not?
IF YOU FEEL NOW IS THE TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR TIMESHARE, CONTACT THE TIMESHARE ADVICE CENTRE TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU TO LEGALLY EXIT YOUR TIMESHARE — AND IN MANY CASES CLAIM BACK THOUSANDS OF POUNDS, JUST AS WE HAVE ALREADY HELPED HUNDREDS OF OWNERS.
Click the link below to find out your options, including how to cancel timeshare maintenance fees where possible.
