Brits face spending hundreds extra at all-inclusive resorts due to restrictions
Holidaymakers are forking out hundreds of pounds extra a week on all-inclusive holidays which don't provide everything they need, a study has found.
Those looking forward to being pampered and preened during a week of plenty are routinely spending hundreds of pounds extra on food and drink as tour operators neglect to include the basics - including soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks - in the headline price.
A survey by Which? of nearly 2,000 holidaymakers about their experiences of all-inclusive holidays in the last two years, asked them to rate their provider on seven categories including customer service, accommodation, how well the description matched the reality, included benefits and value for money.
It found that many all-inclusive-holidays are far from all-in, with survey respondents paying out an extra £258 a week on average for extras both inside and outside the resort.
Not all holidays are created as equally inclusive (Getty Images/iStockphoto)More than one in ten people (13%) across the survey reported having to pay extra for local soft drinks on their ‘all-inclusive’ break as they were not included in their package, while almost a fifth of people (18%) reported having to pay extra for snacks.
'I stopped drinking booze on dates and it made life much more exciting'
Just 79% of respondents reported having local alcoholic drinks included, and for branded and premium alcohol the percentage fell further still, around four in ten (43%) respondents reporting these were available at no extra charge.
Two-thirds of holidaymakers (67%) found cocktails were included in their package, and half (51%) could get a bottle of wine at no extra cost.
When it comes to companies which provide the fewest extras through their all-inclusive, Expedia customers reported spending £165 per week in the hotel/resort, and £228 outside of it on average.
Around four in ten (44%) Expedia customers reported local alcoholic drinks were included, dropping to a quarter (25%) for branded alcohol. Even local soft drinks were missing for many - just under three in ten (29%) reported having to pay extra for these. Customers rated the firm just two stars for the range and quality of extras that were included in the price.
The second worst performing company overall was Lastminute.com. Just under two in five customers (39%) said that local alcoholic drinks were included, and less than a third (32%) could access branded alcohol at no extra cost. Customers spent an average of £128 in the resort, and a further £238 outside.
Loveholidays customers were close behind in terms of their average extra spending, splashing out a further £328 per week. Almost a quarter of guests (24%) reported having to pay extra for snacks and local alcoholic drinks in the resort, and 38% had to pay more for cocktails.
Extra spent per week on food/drink/activities
The below prices are how much extra was spent per week by each group on food/drink/activities - prices are ordered by amount spent in resort, amount spent out of resort and the total.
- Expedia: £165, £228, £393
- Lastminute.com: £128, £239, £367
- Love Holidays: £90, £238, £328
- British Airways Holidays: £111, £201, £312
- On The Beach: £100, £199, £299
- Thomas Cook: £101, £189, £290
- Virgin Holidays: £128, £152, £280
- Hays Travel: £89, £155, £244
- easyJet Holidays: £111, £130, £241
- Jet2Holidays: £90, £126, £216
- Tui: £87, £94, £181
- Saga: £77, £44, £121
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “When budgets are tight, all-inclusive holidays surge in popularity, seemingly offering people a straightforward way to keep holiday costs under control with food, accommodation and drinks all wrapped into the price.
“However, our latest research has found that some all-inclusive holidays are far from being ‘all in’, with some unfortunate guests finding that even basic items like soft drinks weren’t included. If you’re thinking of going all-inclusive for your next getaway, it’s worth taking the time to research what’s on offer - check the terms and conditions carefully to see what’s included, and read reviews from other guests to make sure you won’t be left out of pocket."
You can find out more at which.co.uk.
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Expedia has been contacted for comment.
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