ALL-INCLUSIVES
All-Inclusives ADDING VALUE
‘AI’ holidays have been travel’s success story in recent years - a fi t for these tough economic times – and the choice of destinations offering the option is spreading, says Emily Ashwell
downturn, all-inclusive holidays have bucked the slump.
Youtravel.com’s Head of UK Sales Hannah Wheeler said the company has seen a 31% increase in all-inclusive bookings year on year, mostly to four- and fi ve-star properties. She said: “Many hotels across our
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key markets have recorded this trend and an increasing number have started offering all-inclusive rates. The current economic crunch is
Clockwise from top left: Jet skiing, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah; Anantara Golden Triangle; Smuggler’s Cove.
hile the travel sector grapples with customers hit by the ongoing economic
driving holidaymakers to options that help them keep to their budget.” Hotels are also reporting strong sales for 2013. According to the UK Director of Sales for Maritim Hotels in Mauritius, LeRoy Sheppard, demand for all-inclusive remains strong. “Forward reservations, year-to-date
2013, have already increased beyond our deliberately high targets, and have far surpassed the same period for 2012. Positive feedback from our tour operator partners informs us that this trend is set to continue into the latter part of 2013,” said Sheppard. In terms of long haul sales, the
Caribbean and Mexico have always been strong all-inclusive destinations, however the Middle East and Asia are starting to get a stronger foothold
in the market. Operators including Virgin Holidays say they are also starting to see a market to Bali. Virgin notes that prices are very competitive at certain times of the year and can be comparable to the Caribbean. Virgin Holidays’ most popular all- inclusive resort in the Middle East
“What hotels include in a package is key to selling... while some may not include all food and drink, others will be widely inclusive with activities or childcare”
HANNAH WHEELER, HEAD OF UK SALES
YOUTRAVEL.COM
www.sellinglonghaul.com
April 2013 27
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