The Canadian Timeshare Association was founded in Toronto in 1980. In those early days, the focus of the association was to unite the various Timeshare resorts across the country.  The early days proved challenging as every Canadian Province had different views when it came to understanding the complexities of this new model: Timesharing a condominium.

As the industry grew in Canada with new developments across the country, the Association named CRDA at the time, relied heavily on its US counterpart, ARDA (the American Resort and Development Association) for guidance on how to manage legislative issues as they came forth. One of the best initiatives was to recommend a 7-day rescission period for all new sales.  Widely endorsed by Canadian Developers, it deterred any new unethical operators that depended on high pressure sales tactics without any resources to cancel the following day.  

CRTA quickly developed a reputation for demanding high ethical standards, and a transparent sales process to all its members.  Annual conferences were well attended as the enthusiasm for an Association promoting all the good values of the Timeshare model, became a must attend event.

Quickly move to 2024.  The current administration recognized that the demand and mission of the Canadian Timeshare Association needed to expand.  From an Association that focused primarily on Canadian developers, the newly branded CRTA (the Canadian Resort and Travel Association) started promoting its benefits south of our Border.  Canadians love to travel south, especially in the winter months.  Many Resorts and Vacation Clubs in the USA, Caribbean, and Mexico had a strong interest in Canadian vacationers, and possible members. Eager to also join the association were all the of the Timeshare Industry, Marketing companies, technology, sales organizations, suppliers, software developers, and designers.  

Today, resorts and vacation clubs that are members in good standing with CRTA, give assurance to Canadians that they operate in an ethical, transparent, and honest way.  This gives confidence to Canadians for memberships offered at these properties, and endorsed by CRTA.

Recently, at our Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors proposed to expand the CRTA memberships, by offering a special membership to every new purchaser of a Timeshare or Vacation Club purchased at an CRTA affiliated club. The value of this to everyone is to become a member of the Canadian Timeshare Association and have access to its resources.  With this new initiative, all new members would be able to contact CRTA for questions and learn more about the options and opportunities offered as well as stay up to date on new developments.

We are currently in the development phase of this exclusive membership. Already resorts in Canada as well as south of our border are enthusiastic about being to offer this to all their new members as it brings trust and credibility, thus confidence in their purchase.  We will keep you updated as it becomes available.

As a final note, I am overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received from our recent international conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I believe that more B2B agreements were done than any previous event!  

Looking forward as always to get your feedback.

Kindest Regards

Gaetan Babin RRP
President & CEO
www.canadianrta.org
[email protected]
(647) 613-5464

Gaetan Babin Speaking at the GNEX-CRTA Conference in Ottawa