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NOTICE TO SAAF FUND MEMBERS
ADVANTAGES WHEN MAKING USE OF THE RCI HOLIDAY CALENDAR
1. The SAAF Fund endeavors to make it possible for members to make use of the holiday accommodation on offer at affordable rates. Some changes had to be made to the booking system to improve occupancy during Low Season and to ensure that the cost of a flat could be covered. Members of the Holiday Industry was approached and valuable information concerning future trends of holidays were given. All the Holiday Clubs uses the RCI calendar which encourages holiday makers to plan on a weekly basis Friday to Friday. For shorter breaks you could have a weekend which is from Friday to Monday followed by a midweek which is from Monday to Friday. A member may also have a two week or more holiday during school holidays depending on the weeks/points owned by the member.
2. School holiday periods are high peak season (highest demand) and during 2010 there are only 13 HPS weeks available and 6 PS weeks which are weeks where public holidays fall within that week. The rest of the weeks are low season LS where rates favour those that are able to go on holiday during low demands. During LS the Fund offers flexi breaks which is a weekend Friday to Monday PS rates and midweek Monday to Friday LS rates.
3. Weekend breaks are very popular but it does however create problems for those who would like to plan a longer holiday because the weekend has already been taken. Occupancy is adversely affected by this. The present rates paid over weekends can not cover the rates paid for cleaning a flat. Cleaning rates during 2009 has increased between 20% and 30% and in some cases even more. In future the cost of a weekend break will be increased to cover the costs of the stay.
4. The cost of owning sectional title holiday flats has increased dramatically. Levies
increases annually by between 10% - 18%, electricity and water by at least 20% and rates and taxes have gone up between 20% and 40%. When letting a flat the income received over a period of a month should at least pay for the expenses. If not the flat can not be afforded and should be sold. The holiday industry had to cut costs and increase occupancy in particular during low season. During HPS rates at holiday resorts have soared making it affordable only for the rich.
5. With a higher envisaged occupancy rate by using the RCI calendar weeks and affordable rate increases, the Fund flats should be able to pay for themselves. The Fund HPS rates have been increased but are still 30% to 40% lower than the same flat size being let by letting agencies along coastal regions.
6. A word on the responsibilities of the Fund holiday caretakers. Only three of the 12 caretakers stay on the premises where the Fund owns its sectional title flats. With the introduction of the RCI calendar they will know exactly when to expect visitors and when to clean the flats. The Caretakers and their cleaners will have weekends off and not worry about cleaning over weekends. Cleaning and changing bedding will only be done during the week.
7. It has come to the attention of the Fund that members of the Air Force will not be granted leave during the duration of the FIFA World Cup 11 June 2010 to 11 July 2010. Schools will also be closed during this period and children will be at home. The Board of Trustees have indicated that should a family still want to reserve holiday accommodation they may still do so without the member being present. The member will still be responsible for the flat in his/her absence.
8. Holiday accommodation rates for 2010 are shown as Annexure A.
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