The Vacation Ownership Association of South Africa (VOASA) is the non-profit, self-regulatory trade association and collective voice of the timeshare vacation ownership industry in South Africa.
The Association was established in 1990 as the Timeshare Institute of Southern Africa and was re-branded the Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa in 2007. In 2021, Southern Africa in the name was changed to South Africa. VOASA is a member-driven association representing developers, resorts, exchange companies, holiday clubs, timeshare owner associations and body corporates, managing agents, sales brokers, rental agents as well as industry suppliers.
VOASA is part of the international timeshare community through the Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE) which comprises timeshare associations from the U.S, Brazil, Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe and Mexico.
Purpose
- To promote the development, communication, improvement and growth of a stable and sustainable industry and trading environment in South Africa, which contributes meaningfully to tourism, economic growth and socio-economic development.
- VOASA plays a strategic role in addressing a range of common issues relating to the timeshare industry and fulfils its role by proactively engaging with key stakeholders (including government and regulatory authorities) and consumers of the timeshare vacation products and services.
- Fundamental to the existence of VOASA is the protection and advancement of consumer rights and the stimulation of the on-going growth within the industry in a positive and organised manner.
- VOASA promotes ethical behaviour by its members by issuing clear conduct guidelines in order to contribute to the reputation, credibility and sustainable development of the industry at large.
Code of Conduct
VOASA and its members are committed to the highest standards of ethical behaviour in timeshare vacation ownership. To demonstrate that commitment, all VOASA members as a condition of membership must agree to comply with the Code of Conduct. This includes the provision of recommended guidelines and proposed best practice and a set of rules to prevent unethical behaviour.
The Code of Conduct was introduced in 1990 in collaboration with the Business Practices Committee of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and is regularly updated to reflect best practices within the South African timeshare vacation ownership industry. The Code outlines its intention to govern business practices by protecting the interests of both consumers and the industry and by promoting an equitable, negotiated balance between the two.
The industry is also strictly regulated by and compliant with specific dedicated policy, legislation and regulation. This includes:
Consumer Protection Act, Act 68 of 2008
Community Schemes Ombud Services Act, Act No 9 of 2011
Property Practitioner Act No. 22 of 2019
National Credit Act, Act 34 of 2005
Property Time-Sharing Control Act, Act 75 of 1983
Share Block Control Act, Act 59 of 1980
Sectional Titles Act, No 96 of 1968, as amended
Sectional Titles Management Act, No 11 of 2010
Management of the Association
VOASA is managed by a voluntary board of directors made up of industry captains who contribute a wealth of knowledge to the overall policy, strategy and governance of the Association. A separate legislative committee monitors and makes representations on upcoming legislation that may negatively impact timeshare businesses. It further provides guidance to members on new laws and compliance requirements, amongst others.
Affiliations
Industry Associations
- Tourism Business Council of South Africa
(TBCSA) - Federated Hospitality Association of SA
(FEDHASA) - National Property Practitioners Council (NPPC)
- American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
Government and Regulators
- Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA)
- Department of Tourism
- Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
- Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS)
- Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO)
- National Consumer Commission (NCC)
Global Timeshare Associations
- Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE), which represents industry associations from the Asia Pacific, Southern Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the USA.