For anyone looking to book a holiday abroad, a travel expert has explained just what all-inclusive trips really include.
Holiday provider Travel Republic says you could save money on an all-inclusive package. But there are also some things you need to be mindful of when making a booking to make sure you’re not caught off guard by extra costs.
Henry Sunley, managing director at Travel Republic, said: “As long as you’re planning to spend a lot of time at your resort, all-inclusive packages are definitely worth the money. At Travel Republic, we saw demand for all-inclusive holidays increase by 16% over the last three months of 2023. The benefits ensure for a stress-free and relaxing time, with everything you need on your doorstep.
“With peace of mind that all main costs are taken care of before you arrive, the only additional spending money that will be needed is to cover the cost of any excursions or experiences beyond the resort, making for a more calm and enjoyable holiday.”
What does “all-inclusive” really include?
All-inclusive holidays are ever more appealing because of the assurance that the price covers everything. They refer to a flight and hotel package where food, snacks and drinks are included in the price. You don’t have to worry about spending money unless you want to, as almost everything is included in the initial price – paid in advance.
Different resorts and hotels offer different things in their all-inclusive packages, so double-check what’s on offer. Some resorts are even known to offer discounts so you can take advantage of local restaurants, bars, and nearby activities. However, most all-inclusive offerings typically include:
Food & Drink
All-inclusive packages usually cover all meals plus snacks and drinks (including alcoholic drinks), throughout the day. Food is usually served as an all-you-can-eat buffet, where even the fussiest of eaters will find something to enjoy. Some resorts even offer reservations for onsite a la carte cuisines, however, it’s important to check if this is included in the “all-inclusive” package or if it is an additional cost.
Entertainment
Hotel entertainment often includes animation teams who want nothing more than to put a smile on your face by singing and dancing throughout the day and booked acts such as fire breathers, dancers or singers performing centre stage in the evening. Some hotels will even put on a kid’s disco before the main entertainment to tire out the little ones for the night. Onsite entertainment means you won’t have to worry about venturing out of your resort.
Activities
Keeping you entertained at all times, animation teams will often organise competitions for you to enjoy. Whether you want to participate in darts, bowling or a game of water polo, there’s usually an activity for everyone. Not to mention, some hotels offer clubs where you can drop the kids off for a day of fun whilst you enjoy some TLC time.
Don’t be caught off guard
Rule of six
Depending on the country and specific hotel you stay at, the number of alcoholic drinks you have per day could be capped. Certain areas of Spain, such as the Balearics, have been known to implement the ‘rule of six’, a six-drink per day limit, restricting holiday goers to three alcoholic beverages with lunch and three with dinner. Whilst this doesn’t ring true to being unlimited, it does benefit guests overall, reducing the chances of rowdy behaviour and ensuring everyone can enjoy their holiday without being disrupted by drunken behaviour, says Travel Republic.
Tourist tax
Visitors to certain countries will be expected to pay a local rate per night of their stay. Tourist tax aims to soften the effects of over-tourism and generate income from large numbers of travellers entering a specific destination. It’s important to check if the tax is included in the all-inclusive booking price, otherwise, you could have an additional charge to pay when arriving at your hotel.