The all-inclusive holiday market is booming. A business model which a decade ago was confined to upmarket resorts in the Caribbean has now been rolled out across resorts closer to home. 25% of all holidays booked are now all-inclusive, and that percentage just keeps growing. If you’re one of the customers thinking about booking an all-inclusive holiday for your next foreign break, here are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of holiday.

Advantages

Budgeting: With an all-inclusive holiday, you pay the cost of your accommodation, food and drink up front. As many tour operators only take a small deposit on booking and then allow you to spread the remaining cost over several months, this can be a good way of budgeting for the costs of the family holiday.

Cashless: All-inclusive resorts generally give guests a wristband to show they are on an all-inclusive tariff, and this means you can easily get another drink from the bar or an ice cream for the kids without having to hand over cash, or adding it to your bill and getting a shock when you check out.

Flexibility: All-inclusive resorts often have buffet-style restaurants which are open long hours. This means that you have complete flexibility over when you eat, and what you eat. Some of the bigger resorts will have several restaurants to choose from, and some will have more formal dining options which guests can book if they wish.

Family Friendly: All-inclusive operators are geared up to dealing with kids of all ages, and many offer kids’ clubs, separate dining options for children or evening discos and parties. Children will easily find other kids to play with, and parents will love that the kids will be able to go off and get a drink or ice cream without asking.

Disadvantages

What’s in the Package?: Every all-inclusive resort is different and it is easy to be caught out if you do not know what the deal includes. Some resorts will offer free activities like tennis or windsurfing, others will charge extra. At many resorts, expensive branded spirits will be charged for, as only local brands are included in the all-inclusive package. Remember too that extras such as insurance or car hire are never part of the deal, so pack your EHIC card and ask the hotel to recommend a local car hire agent.

Impact on Local Economy: Many people living in resorts are unhappy at the spread of all-inclusive resorts, as customers there are not spending money in restaurants, bars and local shops. If this bothers you, check out companies and resorts which are committed to sustainable tourism.

Isolation: Although one of the benefits of all-inclusive is that you pay up front for all food and drink, this can mean you are loathe to leave the hotel. Many all-inclusive resorts are not in a town or village, and this can make exploring the local area difficult. Always do your research before booking this type of holiday if getting a flavour of the local culture is important.