The Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa, once known as the Timeshare Institute of South Africa (TISA), now represents fractional ownership schemes as well. Its first conference was held in June this year, where it officially launched its new name (VOASA), logo and identity, signalling the reinvention of, and dramatic changes to, this industry body.

VOASA's purpose is to provide innovative solutions to industry challenges. For consumers, the name change means that VOASA will be the mediator for any queries or complaints relating to timeshare and any other sharedvacation-ownership products.

The conference brought to light key industry issues, including: the important new Consumer Protection Bill, which will change the way the industry communicates with customers; the new Companies Bill and the effect it has on share blocks; and the shift in tourism to a greener approach and ensuing benefits to resorts and developers.

The conference opened with a presentation by keynote speaker Howard Nusbaum, president of the American Resort Development Association, who reviewed the shared-vacation ownership industry in the US and highlighted the effects of the global credit crisis.

Senior Consultant at Michalsons Attorneys, Brendan Hughes, spoke about the significant practical impact that the new Consumer Protection Act will have on the nature of contractual warranties provided to consumers, refund policies and the general formulation of contractual terms and conditions, particularly standard form contracts and the way in which those contracts must be interpreted by courts. 'Although the Act puts up several new legal hurdles for business to clear, it also offers businesses the opportunity to promote confidence and certainty in their offerings to consumers, and this will ultimately help drive consumer purchasing decisions,' said Brendan.

Professor Piet Delport of the University of Pretoria gave a very informative presentation concerning the interaction between the Share Blocks Control Act 1980 and the new Companies Act. Highlighting the duties and liability of directors, corporate governance and the enforcement of duties and rights of shareholders, Professor Delport also covered transitional arrangements with regards to the implementation of the Act.

The shared-vacation-ownership industry has taken on its responsibility of implementing ways to help decrease global warming, and as such delegates like Greg McManus of the Heritage Environmental Management Company and Barney Beukes of SIRAC spoke at the conference. Greg discussed environmental rating and management systems for responsible tourism. Barney presented to delegates SIRAC's energy-saving heat pumps. 'Hot water is the major consumer of power in a home,' said Barney. 'By utilising a SIRAC heating pump you can save 65 per cent of your water-heating costs by employing the free solar energy that is available. The SIRAC heating pump is ozone-and global-warming-neutral and it has been accepted by the Montreal Protocol.'

The conference also advised the industry about marketing messages, particularly those that, according to the new legislation, are no longer allowed. Various guest speakers discussed in detail the concepts of Internet marketing and promoting a conscious brand throughout the industry. For example, Deon Robbertza of Zoom, the first advertising company in South Africa to be 100 per cent carbon neutral, discussed the subject of 'Adapt or Die - The Conscious Brand'. 'It's about single-planet living and offering consumers an ethically correct choice, 'Deon said.' It's about leaving our environment in a better state than we found it and, at the same time, sustaining realistic business growth. We shouldn't be waiting for consumers to demand this choice - we should be offering it as a matter of principle. And we need to do it organically, starting with a focus on the product'.

VOASA went on to recognise pioneers in the industry with an awards ceremony. Award categories, and winners, included:

Industry Team of the Year (Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge);

Industry Performer of the Year (Judy Pousson of The Holiday Club);

Service Excellence (Dirk Wilson of FractionalOwnership.co.za.).

A Lifetime Achievement Award went to Brian Stocks of Sun International Vacation Club.

All the delegates at the conference signed a FIFA soccer ball to demonstrate their dedication to, and support of, the 2010 World Cup festivities.