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All-inclusive holiday boom has peaked, says Endacott

An economic recovery could bring a reversal of the boom in all-inclusive holidays according to some retailers, with one forecasting the onset of “all-inclusive fatigue”.

Agents and tour operators reported a major swing to all-inclusives over the past year, as customers sought to control their spending.

However, On Holiday Group chief executive Steve Endacott predicted the trend had peaked, despite all-inclusive holidays making up 50% of his company’s sales over the summer.

He said: “People who have chosen [an all-inclusive] this year will want to explore unrestricted next year. There will be all-inclusive fatigue.”

Edwin Doran’s Travel World director Rosie Doran agreed more customers had opted for all-inclusive resorts in Europe this year, but said: “As the recession tails off, people will go back to whatever they did before. Our customers who tried it once will shy away from doing it again.”

Somewhere2Travel2 director Diane Denney suggested the poor quality of some all-inclusive resorts could turn clients off. “People think all-inclusive will save them money, but the quality leaves a bit to be desired,” she said.

“People end up having to pay more for alcohol that is not local, and they find the food repetitive. It can be a one-year wonder.”

However, Cosmos Holidays head of mainstream product Ian Hailes said he had seen no sign of a move away from all-inclusive resorts.

“Our all-inclusive bookings for next summer are already 13% up on this time last year,” he said. “This may change in the lates market, but we have not seen evidence of it so far.”

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