OPERATORS are targeting the Mediterranean all–inclusive
market for summer 2005 as all-inclusive sales surge. The latest
figures from market analyst AC Nielson show a 27.5% year-on-year
increase in demand for short-haul, all-inclusive holidays for
summer 2004, and hoteliers in the Western Mediterranean are upping
their game in response. In destinations where the strong euro has
forced up the cost of living, all-inclusive clients have been able
to budget for their holidays in advance. All-inclusive properties
in the more keenly priced Eastern Mediterranean, such as Turkey and
Bulgaria, have also become more popular.
Thomas Cook head of mass-market product and planning Jeanette
Linfoot said: “Traditional resorts are having to reinvent
themselves. Caribbean islands such as Cuba and the Dominican
Republic offer good value for money meaning short-haul destinations
have to compete.”
Travel Weekly asked four key players to sum up the Mediterranean
all-inclusive market and give their advice on new products for
2005.
| Riu Hotels |
Head of UK market development Paul Bunce:
“Customers who have visited the Caribbean expect
all-inclusives in Europe to be of the same standard. When
all-inclusive holidays first took off in Europe they were little
more than converted apartment complexes offering drinks and snacks
and people lost confidence in the market. Today clients expect more
inclusions such as entertainment and activities.”
New for 2005: Club Hotel Riu Miramar and Riu
Helios Bay are both opening in Bulgaria in May. May also sees Club
Hotel Riu Bonaca opening in Croatia and Club Hotel Riu Palace
Algarve in Portugal. Club Hotel Riu Bolero opens in Bulgaria in
June.
Sample product: Thomson offers seven nights at
the Riu Arabella in Bulgaria starting at £449 per person for
departures between September 28 and October 12 2005.
| Thomas Cook |
Head of mass-market product and planning Jeanette
Linfoot: “Increased competition means there’s
a greater focus on quality. All-inclusives are doing very well, for
long haul and in the Mediterranean. More hotels are adding
all-inclusive options in the Balearics and the Costa Blanca is
selling well. In Turkey we are seeing a lot of new purpose-built
properties for summer 2005. We are very keen to get them into our
third-edition summer brochure for next year.”
New for 2005: some 89 all–inclusives are
being added worldwide by First Choice for summer 2005, with Turkey
taking the lion’s share. These include Iberostar Ciudad
Blanca in Majorca, Marmaris Park in Icmeler, Turkey, and Iberostar
Las Dalias in Tenerife. New Turkish properties are being built in
resorts such as Lara Beach, Belek and Antalya. These could all be
featured in JMC, Thomas Cook or Sunset summer 2005 third-edition
brochures.
Sample product: Thomas Cook is offering seven
nights’ all–inclusive at the four–star Hotel
Marmaris Palace in Icmeler, Turkey, from £397 per person,
departing Gatwick on May 9 2005.
| First Choice |
Head of short-haul product Nicky Macfarlane:
“The all–inclusive market is growing, with the Eastern
Mediterranean and the Canary Islands selling well. The Eastern Med
offers better value than Eurozone destinations – Bulgaria in
particular has really taken off. In order to compete with the
Caribbean, standards have to change. This includes the food,
entertainment, accommodation and activities.”
New for 2005: three of First Choice’s
flagship Holiday Village properties open next summer: the Viva
Majorca, located on the Spanish island, and the Pegasos Palace and
Pegasos Tropical, both in Turkey. An additional six new
all-inclusive properties are coming on line, including some in
Greece and Turkey. In those properties where there is no
all-inclusive option, such as the Barcelo Palma Nova in Majorca,
children’s snacks, drinks and ice-cream are included.
Sample product: all-inclusive accommodation is
available at First Choice’s four-star Holiday Village Viva in
C’an Picafort, Majorca, from £479 per adult and
£179 per child for seven nights, including flights and
transfers.
| Club Med |
Head of sales Steve O’Loughlin:
“All-inclusive resorts in the Mediterranean must raise
standards to remain competitive. People are demanding more upmarket
all-inclusive holidays. As a business, Club Med is taking this on
board. People are still getting good value for money, but over the
next couple of years we will renovate, refurbish and refresh our
properties.”
New for 2005: new from Club Med for next summer
is the option to upgrade to a ‘total all-inclusive’
package, which will include all drinks and snacks between meals and
costs from £69 per adult and £34 for children. Club Med
is also offering early-booking discounts of up to £300 per
family to support the launch of its first-ever separate European
and Worldwide brochures. The offer is valid on bookings for all
Club Med villages until the end of February, excluding peak
season.
Sample product: a seven-night all-inclusive
stay at Club Med Kos, in Greece, starts at £646 per adult and
£428 per child aged between four and 11 years; £356 per
child aged between two and three years; and £107 for children
under the age of two. This price includes return flights and
transfers, accommodation, all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks
with lunch and dinner, most sports and tuition including
windsurfing, children’s clubs from the age of four upwards,
entertainment and insurance.
