All-inclusive holidays: 10 selling tips

With 2008 seeing strong customer demand for all-inclusive deals, Janine Kelso offers her top tips for boosting sales and commission

In a related feature Joanna Booth looks into the growing popularity of all-inclusive resorts, and what tour operators are offering for 2009.

1. Improve your resort knowledge

Visit as many all-inclusive resorts as you can to keep up with trends, and be aware of which ones are getting a revamp. For example, Couples Ocho Rios in Jamaica is being treated to a £7.7 million nip and tuck and will reopen on December 15.

2. Target families

 

Kids can have unlimited drinks and ice cream on an all-inclusive holiday, and many deals also allow children to take part in all entertainment and activities on offer. This dramatically cuts the cost of a family holiday.

3. Recommend the Med

 

Cyprus has many three to four-star all-inclusive properties at competitive prices, while Turkey offers great value for money. Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the five-star Marmaris Palace for £395 in October, including flights and transfers.

4. Play the food card

 

Stress that most all-inclusive resorts have a variety of restaurants – some include à la carte dining in the price. This saves preparing a meal or finding somewhere to eat every night.

5. Get active

 

Many Caribbean hotels include waterskiing and diving in the all-inclusive package. Sandals resorts offer kayaking, windsurfing, diving, snorkelling and golf, while Couples resorts offer diving, waterskiing, excursions, golf, tennis and squash.

6. Push spa facilities

 

Kuoni Caribbean product manager Karen Walpole said: "Many all-inclusive hotels have great spas but treatments cost extra. Others include one or two massages within your stay – or even a daily treatment."

7. Offer value for money

 

In destinations such as the Maldives, everything is imported – which pushes prices up. Point out to clients that an all-inclusive deal gives a clearer idea of how much they will spend.

8. Go for the long-haul

 

Sri Lanka, for example, has some great value all-inclusives. Kuoni offers seven nights' all-inclusive at Club Bentota for £799 per person, including flights and transfers.

9. Aim high

 

Stress the benefits of the most expensive rooms to maximise commission. For example, Caribbean resorts such as Sandals offer suite accommodation with butler service for a truly indulgent experience.

10. Book those add-ons

 

Bear in mind that the amount saved by booking all-inclusive means clients have money left over for excursions.