Why all-inclusive holidays are more popular than ever as luxury hotels jump on the bandwagon

All-inclusive holidays have long been known for their bulging buffets, drink-as-as-as-you-like beers and wines, and raw nightly entertainment.

Not anymore. Premium brands jump on this growing bandwagon and offer a La Cart menus, refined cocktails and cultural experiences in sharp contrast with traditional flight and flop packages.

Bookings to all-inclusive resorts have doubled every three to four years since 2018, according to data released by the advantage of Travel Partnership, which represent independent travel agencies at around 750 British locations.

Eight years ago, around 7 percent of all bookings were treated by High Street agents for all-inclusive holidays. By 2022 that figure had grown to 15 percent, and so far it has reached 30 percent by 2025.

‘The All-Inclusive has evolved enormously and is now suitable for all budgets, said Julia Lo Blue-Said, Chief Executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, speak at the Conference of the Association in Malta. “But the principle remains the same, where you pay in advance and then relaxing knowing that you stay within your budget.”

Brands such as Hyatt have responded to this shift by launching his Hyatt Inclusive collection. And family resorts such as Sani, Ikos and Rixos have the all-inclusive chic chic, which attract more prosperous customers than ever before.

Instead of just trusting Sun Loungers on the beach, all-inclusion offer excursions to local markets and historic locations. Ikos Resorts offers guests a ‘culture pass’, which gives access to local museums and galleries, and has started a ‘dine-out’ option where packages include in restaurants outside the resort.

“It is not surprising that all-inclusions have become so popular,” says Mark White, director of Ockey White, travel agencies in Pembrokeshire. “We started to see a large increase after the October Budget by Rachel Reeves, which tore people and eradicated consumer confidence.”

Luxury All-Inclusives such as Ikos Resorts (depicted) attract more guests than ever before

Travel agents started to see a big boost in all-inclusive after the budget of Rachel Reeves in October

The first all-inclusive is considered Club Med, launched by the Belgian entrepreneur Gerard Blitz in 1950 in Alcudia, Mallorca, where guests stayed in tents and basi rophers along the beach.

Nowadays all-inclusive are increasingly available in different holiday types, including cruises, ski trips and safaris.

Despite the costs of living, according to a survey of the benefit Travel Partnership of 2,000 adults from different age groups that people are reluctant to reduce on vacation and will make other sacrifices instead.

More than 85 percent of the Gen ZS cut back on collection restaurants, eating out, gym memberships and buying clothing, while 35 percent of the 45-64 year olds postpone the improvements of the house.

Spain, France and Greece remain popular, but there are new favorites based on affordability, including Slovenia, Albania and Montenegro – ‘Destination Dupes’, as they are known.

And 12 percent of the respondents said they are going on holiday abroad to escape from the political and economic climate of the UK.