Time Share for Muslims only -- how do the trades work?

[SBK]

Madge --

I just found the following article in last week's NY Times Travel section.

"New tower in Mecca Is Offering Shared Ownership for Muslims"

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/10/...089600&en=4563478faf6b25f8&ei=5070&oref=login

The article says:

"Owners of these units will be able to exchange their time in a given year for time in any RCI resort worldwide. But if owners in Le Meridien exchange their time for time elsewhere, their unit will be rented out by the company to another Muslim customer."

Madge -- my question is how this sort of arrangement is fair to other RCI members. The owners will be able to trade into "any RCI resort worlwide" -- what do we get in return? The dollars that RCI gets back from rentals do not translate into units that the rest of us can trade into.

Many of us have fought long and hard for people of all cultures, faiths and colors to be treated equally.

Please explain this arrangement. Will you now allow other resorts to limit trades to only members of another specific religion?

 

[Dave M]

In my capacity as a BBS administrator...

I have deleted four messages from this thread. Note that this forum is only for posting messages addressed directly to RCI, not for discussing issues raised here. Those wishing to discuss this topic should do so on the Exchanging forum.

 

[NTHC]

Just posting to bump this to the top. I am curious about the answer and want to make sure Madge doesn't miss this question.

Cindy

 

[Laurie]

Cindy, Madge answers from the bottom up, so the faster this post moves down, the faster it will be answered. (Hopefully my reply won't slow the response down!)

 

[Madge]

SBK,

I would appreciate it if you could copy and paste the article here for me or send it via e-mail to feedback@rci.com, Attn: Madge.

This is new to me and I'd like to do some research.

 

[NTHC]

SBK,
I was unable to copy and paste the article.....could you please respond so that Madge can answer the question for us.


Thanks,
Cindy

 

[Dave M]

In my capacity as a TUG BBS administrator,

Please provide the info via e-mail or paste only a small portion of the article here. Doing otherwise exposes TUG to possible copyright violations.

Edited to add:

Further, I have had to delete posts from this thread that are not allowable under BBS posting rules. Please do not discuss this issue further here. Allow Madge to respond to the question. Those wishing to discuss the topic - within BBS posting guidelines - should do so on the Exchanging forum.

 

[philemer]

SBK,

I would appreciate it if you could copy and paste the article here for me or send it via e-mail to feedback@rci.com, Attn: Madge.

This is new to me and I'd like to do some research.

Part of the article says:"because only Muslims can visit Mecca, Le Meridien Towers will be marketed exclusively to Muslims worldwide. For 25 years, owners will have guaranteed occupancy for a time period based on the Islamic calendar".

The link by the OP doesn't seem to work so see the article here.

You have to sign up for a free membership to read this article but it is harmless & quick.

After you sign in do a search with these three words: mecca shared ownership The article should be listed first.

Here's a part of the article that probably upsets some RCI exchangers: Owners of these units will be able to exchange their time in a given year for time in any RCI resort worldwide. But if owners in Le Meridien exchange their time for time elsewhere, their unit will be rented out by the company to another Muslim customer.

So it looks like RCI will be able to rent these units out if an owner deposits it. Nothing new here.

Phil

 

[NTHC]

Madge,
Do you have any insight into this?
cindy

 

[Aldo]

[Message deleted. Please see the last paragraph of my message (#7) above. Dave M, BBS Administrator]

 

[Madge]

Phil,

Thanks for the link and instructions. I found the article and have made necessary inquiries. I'll let you all know what I find out.

I am immediately suspect of the term "rent". It is likely that the fact-checker at the Times didn't comprehend the significant difference in the world of timeshare exchange between that word and the words "confirm" or "exchange". However, I'll do some digging and see what I can uncover.

 

[SBK]

The issue is discrimination!

Madge --

The point is not whether a reporter did or did not properly use Time Share lingo -- the point is that there appears to be discrimination involved.

RCI and Cendant are operating in the United States of America. How can you do business with a resort that discriminates on the basis of religion?

 

[Madge]

Susan,

The agreement with this resort has not yet been finalized, so I cannot be very specific. However, I was able to get a bit more in the way of context for this affiliation.

It is Arabian law that only Muslims may visit Mecca -- that is not negotiable. I am still working to get more information about how the inventory would be reconciled when Le Meridien owners visit other RCI resorts. As soon as I have more to share, I will share it here.

 

[Madge]

SBK,

Le Meridien Towers will be affiliated with the RCI Points program. When Weeks or Points inventory is reserved by owners at Le Meridien Towers, the developer will pay RCI a fee for each week used. The revenue that RCI receives for this inventory can be used to offset the costs associated with non-exchange products such as cruise exchanges and Points Partner transactions. Reducing our burden to cover these costs means that fewer weeks will need to go to Extra Vacations and can be retained for Weeks exchanges and Points reservations. This revenue may also be used to acquire inventory in highly requested destinations. All in all, this affiliation will allow us to provide more diverse vacation opportunities to our Weeks and Points members.

 

[NTHC]

So....RCI is affiliating itself with a resort that will discriminate because they will receive compensation?

Is there a "Muslim Only" directory?

Cindy

 

[Madge]

So....RCI is affiliating itself with a resort that will discriminate because they will receive compensation?

Cindy

The resort will observe the law of the land.

 

[Dave M]

I have deleted four messages from this thread, subsequent to Madge's response immediately above this post, that engage in political/social discussion not permitted on these forums and without asking a legitimate and courteously phrased question.

Madge has answered the question. Accordingly, I am closing this thread. Those who wish to continue discussing this subject should do so on the exchanging forum and should be careful to avoid the political and social discussions that are not permitted on TUG.