A seminar entitled “New Horizons for your business” took place in Marbella on the14th February 2013 which, with specific focus on the introduction of new holiday products in tourist accommodation establishments, studied the recently-enacted European rules governing the marketing of such products and the provision of financing to potential consumers. “Fractionals” and “fractional ownership” were the specific subject of the Seminar. 

Panelist from left to right:: Ovidio Zapico (RCI), Chris Sheldon (Interval International), John Baker (money Leisure Ltd.), Julian Nutley (Shawbrook Bank), Ian Goddard, Philip Broomhead (FNTC), Francisco J. Lizarza (Lizarza Abogados), Lisa Migani (FNTC) and speaking Paloma Marín (Soluciones Legales Integrales).

The Seminar had been organised and sponsored by FNTC and Lizarza Abogados and was attended by over one hundred operators in this Sector, including developers, hotel businesses, tourist operation companies, marketers, lawyers, advisors and financial providers specialising in consumer financing.

Philip Broomhead (FNTC

Lisa Migan from FNTC talked about the “simple paths” to marketing fractionals and Philip Broomhead, also from FNTC, went on to explain the operation of this product according to international practice and, particularly, Anglo-Saxon legislation.

Fracisco Lizarza spoke in depth about the legislation common to holiday products, with special reference to fractionals, and the aspects common to all of them from the point of view of the specific laws on consumer protection, the tourist establishment regulations and the legal structures providing a legal basis for such products.

Paloma Marín

Paloma Marín, from Soluciones Legales Integrales, expatiated on the matter of applicable legal regulations by commenting on the latest changes to Spanish legislation affecting these products, with special reference to the legal changes introduced in 2012 in respect of VAT, modification of the Special Levy on Non-resident Companies which own real property in Spain and a specific description of the application of VAT in points systems following the Judgement rendered in the “McDonald” case by the Supreme Court of Justice of the European Union.

 In the second part of the Seminar, Ian Goddard made a presentation on marketing techniques while John Baker (Money Leisure Limited) and Julian Nutley (Shawbrook Bank) talked about the provision of financing to “fractional” consumers, which is mostly aimed for British consumers.

Vista central de asistentes

Chris Sheldon (Interval International) and Ovidio Zapico (RCI) elaborated on the benefits of exchange, the latter stressing the positive results in terms of costumer loyalty, business income and creation or preservation of employment generated by this Sector

Philip Broomhead, F.J. Lizarza & Peter Nielsen Ingerslev (Diamond Resorts)

The Vice-President of Málaga’s Provincial Council, Ms Maria Francisca Caracuel, attended the closing of the Seminar and pointed out during an informal conversation with those present that the Council supports all tourism-related activities.

Miguel Rifa (CityMar Hotels), Roque Farias, Francisco Lizarza, Rocio M Lizarza, Javier Tellez (Caja Rural de Granada) y Manoli Caracuel.