Traveling the “All-Inclusive” Way – Today’s traveler wants value and more!
by Lydia Brown
The concept of an all-inclusive resort has existed in one form or another for many years, but the metamorphosis started to take shape during the 80s in Jamaica. In 1950, the first
Club Med Resort opened on an island off Spain and the first all- inclusive was born.
For one fee you get your room, meals, wine, beer, soft drinks and most sports activities.
The idea took off, but it only became popular with young singles. With today’s reinvention of the all-inclusive resort, the concept has transformed travel. Today, the modern traveler looking for an inclusive resort is not only looking for value, but also looking for more. More luxury, spas, golf courses, adventures like zip lining, and rock climbing, fine dining, fine wines, cooking classes, tennis, children’s programs, etc.
Travels to all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, along with cruise vacations, are now the hot sellers. Travelers today want to control their travel costs and know what they are getting for their dollar, so it’s no surprise that when companies like Club Med, Sandals, Beaches, Secrets, Dreams Resorts, Iberostar, Riu Hotels (just to mention a few) came into existence, they became instant hits. They took the all-inclusive to a new level.
The onset of cruise vacations started in the late 1960-70s(which is somewhat inclusive). Before then it was simply a mode of transportation, only available to the rich and famous. Now cruising is available to all levels of travelers. Things have changed. While not all cruise lines include alcohol or gratuities, they do include tax, cabin and meals. There are cruise lines that are basically all inclusive, such as Regent, Silver Sea, etc., but these are the more deluxe lines. Your basic cruise line, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, etc., include your accommodation, meal plan and taxes with options to prepay gratuities and drink plans.
River cruises have become the ‘inclusive’vacation in Europe this year. They include accommodations, meals, wine with lunch, dinner, and shore excursions, local entertainment on board, taxes, pre and post hotel packages, etc.
Keep in mind, not all ‘all-inclusives’ are created equally. Many have gone viral with luxury offerings such as concierge and butler services, private plunge pools, Jacuzzi ensuites, Red Lane Spas and golf, in an attempt to tap the upscale luxury and honeymoon market. Many travelers, once leery of the of the old ‘inclusive’ concept of Club Med with its buffet dining and no frills accommodations, are now on board and won’t travel any other way. The ‘inclusive’ fever is growing and there are strong indications that we will see more inclusive resorts sprouting up in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland very soon.
(We have a few, but they are limited).
It’s odd that while the inclusive concept is growing in the Caribbean, the traditional escorted tour in Europe is shrinking. Your basic tour was an inclusive of sorts and kept costs down, by virtue of the larger numbers. The trend in the European market is changing. Where Americans once took escorted tours they are now booking independent travel to Italy and France, Great Britain, etc. They are renting cars and doing self-drive vacations. One of every 10 bookings I plan to Europe is an independent vacation: no bus, no tour escort, no luggage out the door at 6 a.m. and no changing hotels every night.
Most spend at least 2 to 3 nights in a city before moving on. Travelers are getting off the bus and getting on a bike or a barge and going to cooking classes, wine tastings, hiking and walking tours as well as even exchanging homes and living like locals. The escorted tour companies, in an effort to maintain a share of the market, are shortening their tours and making them more flexible to allow more free time, thus creating 3 and 4 night modules in many cities that can be combined.
So, whatever your preferences, whichever way you want to travel, remember, not all ‘all-inclusives’ are created equally. While they are a good value, you should ask what is included and what is not included. Read reviews from other travelers and remember not everyone is meant for an inclusive resort and not all destinations should be experienced that way. I can’t imagine going to Italy and eating in the same hotel every day. While I have no problem with the inclusive plan, I think it has a purpose, which was created in the Caribbean to fill a void in places where there were no restaurants in remote areas or it was unsafe to venture far from the hotel. Not every one is a fan of the inclusive resort but no matter what your travel preference, what matters is that you get out there and travel. Experience the world in any way you feel comfortable!
Contact information for Lydia Brown: [email protected], Sanditz American Express
Travel, West Hartford, CT. (860) 523-5224.
