Is all-inclusive the cheaper holiday option?
MORE British holidaymakers are going all-inclusive this year.
Half of those surveyed by the Post Office for its annual All-inclusive Holiday Report rated this type of trip as good value because they do not need to take holiday spending money.
The research also revealed a 12% increase to 56% in the number of families who think all-inclusive is a great option because it cuts the cost of kids’ meals and drinks. However, it also found that more than 80% of families splashed extra cash to the tune of over £407 (down from £431 last year) on their last all-inclusive holiday.
Around 84% paid an average of £152.65 in their resort, while 81% spent £254.78 on food and drink items in local shops, restaurants and bars.
When Post Office Travel Money compared the price of a week’s all-inclusive summer family holiday in 10 European destinations with the bed and breakfast alternative, it found that going B&B was a cheaper option in all 10 destinations.
The biggest savings were in Malta and Turkey. A week for a family of four, all-inclusive, in Sliema cost a total of £4,045.83 compared with £2,186.33 B&B (a difference of £1,860).
Bargain hunters could save £1,217 in Marmaris where a week’s B&B cost £1,462.67 compared with £2,679.43 for allinclusive – an 83% increase for the latter.
Post Office Travel Money says the only way to make a saving on an all-inclusive holiday is to stick strictly to the package and avoid all extra spending.
The Post Office compared the cost of an all-inclusive package without any additional spending with B&B including resort restaurant meals, and found prices for all-inclusive trips were between 1% and 16% cheaper in six of 10 destinations.
Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Since over four-in-five families paid for extras while on an all-inclusive holiday, the best advice is not to get caught without the cash to cover these additional costs.
“On average most of these families will pay well over £400 extra during their holiday so they should budget carefully in advance and be prepared.”