ALL INCLUSIVE HOLIDAYS – GOOD FOR TOURISTS, NOT SO GOOD FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, SURVEY FINDS

According to a Tourism Concern survey of over 1700 holidaymakers the majority (55%) thought that the shift towards all-inclusive holidays is a negative development. However most of the sample believed that tourists benefited from all-inclusive holidays, but at the same time thought local communities were made worse.

A new report, The perceived impacts of all-inclusive package holidays on host destinations – A Consumer Survey by the campaigning charity Tourism Concern, to be launched on 7th February 2015 in London presents the findings of a recent survey of over 1700 holidaymakers into the perceived impacts of all-inclusive package holidays.

It is the latest publication relating to Tourism Concern's ongoing critique of the all-inclusive model, and follows their 2014 report: 'The impacts of all-inclusive hotels on working conditions and labour rights', and the 2012 briefing: 'All-inclusive holidays – excluding local people in tourist destinations'.

The survey was carried out between 2012 and 2014 via an online market research platform with a membership of over 500,000 holidaymakers. Almost 1,750 responses were received and almost 70% had been on an all inclusive holiday – the key findings were:

• 55% of survey participants believe the shift towards all-inclusive holidays is a negative development. Nonetheless, 42% of the survey sample are likely to go on an all-inclusive holiday in the next two years.
• Of those survey participants who have been on an all-inclusive holiday, 32.8% never left the resort to visit a local restaurant, and 34.47% never went on an excursion outside the resort.
• 87% of the sample believed that tourists benefit from all-inclusive holidays. At the same time, 65.25% responded that local communities are in some way made worse off by the establishment of all-inclusive resorts.

Mark Watson, Executive Director at Tourism Concern stated, "It is clear from the survey results and the views of participants that, while there is continuing demand for the advantages that the all-inclusive model offers to some holiday makers, there is also an increasing awareness of the model's negative impacts, even among those who enjoy the all-inclusive experience. And tellingly, there is evidence that these holidaymakers too want a fairer deal for local communities. This is something the industry must begin to take on board."