Resort Trades Magazine has published an article about Gaetan Babin RRP, CRTA Chairperson, President, and CRTA CEO. The article is titled "Gaetan Babin and The Evolution of CRTA"  The article gives a great account of the history of CRTA, and Gaetan's biography and his role in shaping the association for the future.

A great article by Marge Lennon, you can check it out here: https://resorttrades.com/gaetan-babin-and-the-evolution-of-crta/

Dear colleagues,

Our Conference in Quebec City this last week of August has proven to be our best yet according to most attendees. The location, the venue, the content, the entertainment and the delegates from all over America all contributed to this successful networking conference. And we cannot understate the value of GNEX who facilitated the entire venue, so a warm heartfelt thank you for Paul, Sharon, and Bridget which sadly could not make the trip due to the Hurricane in western Florida. We sure missed you.

I want to personally thank all the sponsors who help make this important industry event a success. It simply cannot happen without their generous sponsorship. And a huge thank you for all the attendees.

Look forward to meeting all of you at our next Canadian event in Canada’s capitol, Ottawa.

Kindest Regards

Gaetan Babin RRP
President & CEO
Canadian Resort and Travel Association

David Callaghan, VP Sales for SPI Software Named to Board of Canadian Resort & Travel Association

August 17, 2023 – The Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA) has recently announced the appointment of David Callaghan, Vice President of Sales for SPI Software, as a member of its esteemed board. With his extensive vacation ownership experience and industry knowledge, Callaghan brings valuable insights and expertise to the association's mission of promoting and enhancing the Canadian resort and travel sector.

As a leading provider of software solutions for the vacation ownership industry, SPI Software has established itself as a trusted partner for numerous resorts and travel organizations. Callaghan's appointment to the CRTA board further strengthens the association's commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth within the industries it serves.

Upon joining the board, David Callaghan expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the CRTA's objectives. "I am honored to join the board of the Canadian Resort and Travel Association," said Callaghan. "I look forward to working alongside industry leaders and leveraging my experience to support the association's initiatives in promoting the incredible offerings of Canada's vacation industry."

Gaetan Babin RRP, CRTA Chairperson, President, and CEO, warmly welcomed Callaghan to the board, recognizing his expertise and passion for the vacation ownership industry. "We are thrilled to have David Callaghan join our board. His extensive knowledge and decades of resort and exchange experience make him an invaluable addition to our team," said Babin. "We are confident David's contributions will further strengthen our association's efforts to advance the growth of our Canadian resorts."

The Canadian Resort and Travel Association is a prominent industry association dedicated to advancing the interests of the Canadian resort industries both at home and abroad. By bringing together key stakeholders, the CRTA strives to foster collaboration, advocate for industry-related policies, and promote the exceptional experiences offered by Canadian resorts and travel organizations.

Toronto, CN – June 2023: Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA), the industry-based trade association dedicated to furthering Vacation Ownership in Canada and throughout the world, announced the installation of Christopher McGill as its latest addition to the CRTA Board of Directors. McGill is the Director of Business Development: western, midwestern, northeastern and Canadian regions for Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services.

Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA) Names New Board MemberAccording to CRTA President and CEO, Gaetan Babin RRP, “The latest addition to our Board comes from II, one of the vacation ownership industry’s top exchange and travel providers. In general, CRTA Members provide developers and consumers of vacation ownership products informed advice, sound intelligence and advocacy. Our Board represents professionals from all different sectors of our industry as do our members at large. Christopher’s role on the Board is an excellent asset as he brings years of resort and exchange experience to the table.”

The newest board member is a graduate of ARDA (American Resort Development Association) exclusive LEAPs program and a resident of Las Vegas, NV.

CRTA’s membership base consists of Resorts, Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, Developers, HOAs, Exchange Companies, Management Companies, Financial Servicing Companies, Resale Companies, Marketing Companies, Suppliers as well as other Industry Associations and Professionals who offer their services within the industry. Many CRTA constituents are resort developers and other timeshare industry executives with sizeable Canadian membership bases.

Christopher will be introduced to the CRTA membership along with the other Board Members at the 2023 GNEX-CRTA conference slated for August 29 to September 1 in Quebec City at the Hotel Frontenac. GNEX is known for creating a positive environment for the acquisition of new business. Attendees of the event will be treated to unique session formats and interactive networking events that are created especially for the GNEX Conference, and unrivaled access to top-level executives that span all areas of the hotel and resort industry.

The trade association’s Code of Ethics is based on the highest standards in the Industry to give confidence to consumers that all listed Members have agreed to abide by its code. Travelers who go to CRTA as an assurance of Destinations offering good ethical and transparent practices result in having better experiences and positive lasting memories.

Canadian Resort & Travel Association (CRTA)
CRTA (www.CanadianRTA.org) is an industry association that is dedicated to furthering the ownership-based vacation and resort development industry, both at home and abroad. The association was founded in 1980 as “The Resort Timesharing Council of Canada” in response to the public’s demand for more information about vacation ownership. Since then, CRTA has become the preeminent industry association representing all forms of Vacation Ownership in Canada. The Association is governed by an elected Board of Directors. We regularly host stimulating conferences, symposiums and committee meetings that encourage B-2-B opportunities, networking, education, and problem solving among our members. Member Services can be reached at

Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA), the industry-based trade association dedicated to furthering Vacation Ownership in Canada and throughout the world, has released its second podcast in a series called CRTA Conversations.

In this video, thought leader and CRTA President/CEO Gaetan Babin RRP interviews association board member Warren Smith of Living Waters Resort on topics germane to sold out resorts under the leadership of HOA Boards.

Related: Georgi Bohrod Gordon RRP Named New Board Member of CRTA

Gaetan Babin said, “CRTA Members provide developers and consumers of vacation ownership products informed advice, sound intelligence and advocacy. Our Board represents professionals from all different sectors of our industry as do our members at large. With this new energy we are all ready to create fresh opportunities for our members and Canadian timeshare owners.

“As Warren says in our latest video, CRTA fosters an environment of collaboration amongst its members.  HOA boards—particularly those from legacy resorts– are particularly challenged to find paths to keep timeshare viable and our organization can provide options and resources assist them.”

The first CRTA Conversation featured Paul Mattimoe, CEO/Intuition Marketing who sits on the CRTA Board and also runs the GNEX series of conferences for the Timeshare Industry.  The next GNEX-CRTA event will be held at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada August 29-31, 2003.  The GNEX-CRTA conference is known for creating a  positive environment for the acquisition of new business

CRTA’s  membership base consists of Resorts, Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, Developers, HOAs, Exchange Companies, Management Companies, Financial Servicing Companies, Resale Companies, Marketing Companies, Suppliers as well as other Industry Associations and Professionals who offer their services within the industry.

CRTA Conversations Features Board Member Paul Mattimoe Interview with President and CEO Gaetan Babin

Toronto, ON – April 2023: Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA), the industry-based trade association dedicated to furthering Vacation Ownership in Canada and throughout the world, announced the release of the first podcast in a series of interviews with CRTA Board Members.

CRTA’s membership base consists of Resorts, Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, Developers, HOAs, Exchange Companies, Management Companies, Financial Servicing Companies, Resale Companies, Marketing Companies, Suppliers as well as other Industry Associations and Professionals who offer their services within the industry.

The first podcast features Gaetan Babin, President and CEO of CRTA and Paul Mattimoe, President and CEO/Intuition Marketing and President/Perspective Group who sits on the CRTA Board and also runs the GNEX series of conferences for the Timeshare Industry. The next GNEX-CRTA event will be held at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada August 29-31, 2023.

View the interview here.

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The trade association’s Code of Ethics is based on the highest standards in the Industry to give confidence to consumers that all listed Members have agreed to abide by its code. Travelers who go to CRTA as an assurance of Destinations offering good ethical and transparent practices result in having better experiences and positive lasting memories.

Northern Exposure Meadow Lake Resort Looks Out for All Owners

Meadow Lake Resort, a four season, family friendly Vacatia resort in Montana's Flathead Valley , is the perfect haven for those in search of thrilling adventures paired with relaxation in stunning scenery. With a location near the U.S./Canada border, it's owner base has approximately 50 percent Canadian nationals, who in normal years have a seamless experience visiting to enjoy nearby Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain. As we all know, 2020 was not a normal year. While the resort closed for about four weeks in March and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the international border remained closed for several more months. Owners from Canada were prohibited from visiting their cherished timeshare resort.

Considered Response Meadow Lake Resort's management had two major issues to sort out. First, how to accommodate owners who were unable to visit during the resort's closure. The second issue was how to address owners from Canada who were unable to visit during the summer and fall of 2020. The first issue was handled by looking for the fairest solution for all owners. "We did have savings of more than $180,000 during the resort closure and felt that we should find a way to return those funds to the owners," said Lance Lynch, assistant resort manager. "The simplest way to do that was to give owners a rebate to their unit reserves, which offsets future maintenance expenses. For owners who couldn't come when we were closed, we worked with them to find other dates to stay at Meadow Lake while points owners received their points back to use for a future booking." For Canadian owners who were unable to travel to the United States, the resort's recent transition to management by Vacatia proved to be a saving grace. "Vacatia helped us to rent those weeks, and the proprietary technology platform they provide made it easier to list the inventory while achieving maximum ADR," explained Molly Lynch, who was working at the resort in owner services at the time and is now Vacatia's director of inventory and deed services. "During the summer of 2020, people were more interested in outdoor activities and condominium-style accommodations with kitchens and plenty of room to cocoon with their families. With our location near a national park, there was a ton of pent-up demand that we were able to capitalize on. Income from the rentals allowed many owners to cover their maintenance fees and, in some cases, even come out ahead." Vacatia also assisted Meadow Lake with tax issues stemming from receiving rental income on behalf of its Canadian owners who did not have U.S. tax identification numbers. "They came up with the idea to withhold a portion of the funds for taxes," she said. "Then the owners could choose to file U.S. returns to receive that money back"

Balancing Demand Both U.S. and Canadian owners enjoy visiting Meadow Lake year-round, but Lance Lynch reports that Canadians seem to favor the winter months while Americans favor the summer ones. "This helps us smooth out occupancy year-round," he says. According to Michelle DuChamp, head of Vacatia Partner Services and a CRTA board member, Vacatia welcomes the opportunity to add Canadian resorts to their management portfolio. "Our consumer-centric approach helps resorts maximize options for their owners ," she said. ""Many of our U.S. owners enjoy traveling to Canada, and Canadian owners at Vacatia managed U.S. resorts would be excellent prospects for rentals and potential owners at resorts in their own country. I could see a great deal of synergy there and believe we could each benefit by creating mutually rewarding partnerships that provide more opportunities for owners, exchange guests and renters."

Dear colleagues and friends,

Gaetan with Tara Bergeron and Robert Stolt

Hope this finds you all well in your respective personal and business life. Its hard to believe that 2022 is nearly over as this year has gone by so quick.

To see the record numbers of travelers following a historical pandemic is testimony that people just need this precious time away from their day-to-day routine, no matter the challenges and restrictions placed upon us. Timeshare continues to grow its member base and will continue to grow as we enter over 50 years as an Industry

Looking back at this year I feel so grateful for the trust you have given us in our mission to help in the best way we can in the growth of our Industry_. Today, I want to recognize a company that has been my mentor in many ways, a company that without its founder, none of us would be here today. That company, founded in 1974, became the catalyst on how timeshare owners had access to the world.

I met Christel DeHaan in the early 1990 and it’s a moment in time that impacted me greatly. I saw her integrity, her passion for humanity, as she gracefully engaged in conversations with all of us who wanted just a word with her.  Over the years, that relationship grew to the point that we were on a first name basis. The many great discussions were always special moments that I will cherish forever. We all owe her a great deal of respect and appreciation for setting the stage of our continuous evolving industry.

Gaetan with David McDonald

CRTA has a great relationship with RCI. There is no word to express our gratitude to RCI helping us with accommodation when needed for promoting the benefits of RCI to properties all over America. We have doubled our Membership base last year, and in many ways, due to RCI’s assistance. New leaders in RCI such as Olivier Chavy, Todd Menendez, Robert Stolt and David McDonald to name but a few, have been more of a strategic alliance to us as a Trade Association with a mission of uniting the best of the Industry. We operate and have all our member affiliates commit to code of ethics that is the highest standard in the Industry. RCI affiliated resorts are the vehicle to many Timeshares owners to explore the world, expand their horizon and create memories than otherwise would never be possible.

So, thank you RCI for what you do. CRTA is proud to have you as a member as we continue to promote RCI to all properties that have an interest in offering their members the ultimate and most flexible exchange system in the world.

Gaetan Babin RRP
President & CEO
Canadian Resort and Travel Association

Dear friends and colleagues,

The ARDA Fall conference held in Washington DC on November 2^nd , 3^rd, and 4^th was a meeting of industry leaders encompassing every aspect of the Timeshare Industry. Held at the beautiful Conrad hotel, we were treated first class as ARDA always delivers. The real educational section was a panel of experts from political, economic and travel leaders.

As this conference is smaller in delegates than its Spring event, it gave everyone a chance to talk to the true leaders and decision makers covering Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and USA. Everyone left satisfied and enriched by the 3 days. Our Canadian Resort and Travel Association, CRTA, was very welcome as a first-time attendee although I have personally attended nearly 25 ARDA spring events.

A big thank you for Jason Gamel and ARDA’s Chairman, Michael Brown, for making themselves generously available to everyone. Our discussions covering many topics just keeps reinforcing in all of us how great of a product Timeshare is and keeps improving year after year.

Looking forward to seeing you all again,

Gaetan Babin RRP
President & CEO
Canadian Resort and Travel Association