Why go All-Inclusive?
If there is one holiday phenomenon that is sweeping the nation this year then it is the All Inclusive holiday. Brits have been focusing more and more on value as they cut back on overall expenditure and look to ensure they don't overspend on their holidays.
What is it that draws customers to book though? Here are some of the reasons:
1. Price - although prices for all inclusive holidays tend to be higher than self catering or hotel based breaks, price are very affordable for these kind of breaks and often work out cheaper than the cost of buying meals and entertainment as extras on a normal break.
2. Destination - so many destinations now offer all inclusive holidays with family favourites such as Spain and Greece joining more established all inclusive favourites Egypt and Turkey in the last couple of years. And for many destinations they are the only real affordable and practical alternative for a holiday.
3. Things to do - we all know what it's like to pitch up on holiday and then have to start forking out for extras such as beach activities and entertainment in the evenings. Yes on an all inclusive break you find much of this in the price you pay back at home.
4. Budgeting - you have normally paid for your holiday in full before you depart, so knowing that you have little extra to find come holiday time really helps families to budget carefully and not overrun on expenditure.
5. Ideal for families and Groups - By their very nature, people are thrown together on an all inclusive holiday, meaning it is ideal for those with kids or those who love to socialise and meet new people without the worry of paying for it all and knowing you are meeting like minded people.
6. Something to suit all of us - whether you want a bargain basement all in break in Turkey or a luxury spa and pampering at a 5* hotel in the Maldives, there is something to suit all budgets and holiday styles within the all inclusive umbrella.
7. Cruise too - most cruise holidays are all inclusive except for drinks, so you can find the benefits of the all inclusive break when sailing away as well.
So where can you go to get these breaks? You name it. Throughout the Med you will find holidays in every country and destination from Spain to Turkey, Portugal to Greece. Further afield, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are hot favourites and destinations in the Caribbean, Maldives and Goa give some real exotic tropical sun to add to the equation.
Who should consider an all-inclusive break?
Taking a holiday with all things included within the price is a great way to control your budget. With many people wanting to ensure they do not overspend, an all inclusive holiday offers the chance to pay once here in the UK for all the expenditure associated with your holiday break. So it is a great way for people to cap what they are spending before they leave the UK. And you will not return with bills to pay on your credit card.
Families with children and those who love to try lots of different activities will enjoy an all inclusive break. Not only are you kept entertained, you don't have to worry about dipping your hand in your pocket to pay for extras, whether they be on ice creams for the kids or water sports for you.
You will also need to take less foreign currency with you, so you can cut down on exchanging your pounds for holiday cash and don't have to worry about knowing exchange rates in shops and restaurants.
What do the prices of all inclusive holidays include?
The hot tickets these days are for all inclusive holidays and in recent years we have seen more and more tour operators offering these cost conscious, budget setting breaks. So what do you get for your money on an all inclusive trip and where can you find the best deals and destinations to enjoy a package holiday with everything in the price?
Companies such as Thomson offer four levels of all inclusive, from a standard package through 24 hour all inclusive to Ultra Inclusive and Gourmet inclusive. The level of what you get for your money does vary.
Generally you will get the following within the price quoted to you when booking your holiday;
• Flights
• Transfers
• Accommodation costs
• All food - minimum of three meals a day
• Snacks for the time of day and ice-creams for the children, although charges may be made for adhoc items such as bags of crisps, sweets and chocolate
• All drinks - although some soft drinks and the alcohol will be local brands with a supplement for international brands of beers, wines and spirits
• Pools, water slides and even spas and saunas at some hotels - individual treatments may attract a small local charge
• Kids clubs and activities
• Babysitting services
• Entertainment from evening shows and discos through to day time activities such as mini golf, bowling alleys and organised events
• Watersports and sports appropriate to the property you have booked to stay at - although some motorised sports such as water skiing may be charged for as an extra
You get the idea. The important thing is to check each individual deal and property you are looking to stay at, in order to check out exactly what is included in the price and what you will have to pay extra for.
The standards of the hotels vary, however most all inclusive properties fall into the 3 and 4 star categories and some in the 5 star grouping. And some will be far more family or group orientated with others focusing on couples only. So you can find something that offers great comfort and value for money through to luxury options with pampering to die for.
