A female passenger who tried to fly to a resort with her French Bulldog ended up abandoning the animal in a parking lot when staff refused to let the pet on board, officials said.
20.07.2023 - 11:51 / travelweekly.com
All-inclusive vacations have taken a reputational hit over the years. What was once considered unique and bucket-list worthy became a commodity. But that’s changed. A new class of all-inclusive resort properties is redefining luxury vacations and attracting a growing segment of travel consumers.
The all-inclusive experience“To me, an all-inclusive means that my clients get to leave their wallets in the hotel safe, enjoy their vacation and not have to worry about the bill that’s going to follow them home,” explains Danielle Gaerte, travel advisor and owner of Oasis Awaits Travel Co.
But travelers value all-inclusive resorts for more than just a single bill. Other reasons to give clients the all-in option include proximity (having everything nearby), predictability (knowing what to expect), flexibility (trying new foods, drinks and experiences without having to pay for something you don’t like) and familiarity (knowing exactly where to go).
All-inclusive vacations are also a gateway to foreign travel. “They teach people how to travel and expose themselves to places they’ve never traveled to before. It’s easy, feels safe, everything is there for you, and you don't have to make a lot of decisions," says Christen Perry, travel advisor and founder of Classic Travel Connection.
All-inclusives have evolved over the years. The original concept was for resorts to put everything — from arrival to departure — on one bill. But “everything” mainly included a food buffet, bottomless beverages (including alcohol), hotel rooms, a swimming pool and a beach.
Extras, such as spa and hair salon services, golf, excursions, laundry service or babysitting, were, and likely still are, excluded from most all-inclusive resort packages. However, they can still be included in the vacation and final invoice.
For example, Gaerte explains, “If the client wants a sunset catamaran tour with a group, I can contact a tour operator for a pre-packaged, affordable option. I can also arrange a private tour to a secluded beach with a gourmet lunch and snorkeling directly with a tour company.”
A step up to luxuryAll-inclusive resorts have expanded into the luxury sector. But 'luxury' means different things to travelers and resorts. Some vacationers equate luxury with quantity (more to eat, drink and see), and some resorts refer to the lobby concierge as butler service.
"The word luxury is thrown around too much without the proper context. How a first-time traveler defines luxury can vastly differ from that of an experienced traveler,” says Gaerte. “Luxury clients love the idea of an all-inclusive, but they're not willing to compromise on unique amenities, good food or top-notch service.”
Luxury all-inclusives offer more than
A female passenger who tried to fly to a resort with her French Bulldog ended up abandoning the animal in a parking lot when staff refused to let the pet on board, officials said.
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