BALEARICS GIVES IN TO ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

[McRackin]

BALEARICS GIVES IN TO ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS
By Humphrey Carter

FACED with the increasing popularity of all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Britain, the Balearics yesterday announced that, instead of trying to stop the growth in number of all-inclusive hotels, it is going to make sure that the region offers top quality all-inclusive resorts.
The Balearic government's new position on the growing holiday package was announced yesterday by regional President Jaume Matas in his speech to mark Balearic Day at the World Travel market in London.

He said that Britain is now the second biggest all-inclusive market, after the United States, and therefore the Balearics should move with the time and respond to the changes in holiday habits.

Between 1999 and 2002, the number of Britons going on all inclusive holidays rose by 17 percent and has continued on riding since.
Matas said that he plans to introduce a new legislation “as quickly as possible” in the Balearics which will help regulate and control the all-inclusive resort sector and make sure that high quality standards are met. “This kind of holiday is becoming increasingly popular, especially for families, but it needs to be controlled in order to guarantee maximum levels of quality,” he told members of the Balearic and European travel industry at the fair in London yesterday. “This market is growing so rapidly, we've got to make sure we don't lose out while clients are getting the best service,” he said. The announcement will come as bombshell for Balearics socialists wjho only the day before yesteray were pushing for a freeze on further growth of the all-inclusive hotek market.

majorca daily bulletin

 

[russ]

rotten news

 

[silvia]

I can see a new Playa Bavaro in Ciutadella or Portinatx

 

[McRackin]

definitively very bad news for all the bars and restaurants of the island..........

 

[puppylover]

definitively very bad news for all the bars and restaurants of the island..........

Depends on what the package is for All Inclusive.

Been on 2 (last minute deals) to Jamaica and Gran Canaria. Hated it after 2 nights, great fun drinking all you want, for like a day.....but in Jamaica it was only Red Stripe and Rum which were free drinks (which I dont really like) - basically, if it was imported you paid for it, the same for GC. Also, the free bar was only open at certain times of the day and closed at midnight. I felt that it was like being in a holiday/prison camp, I spent more money on those two holidays than I would have if it had been SC or HB to be honest..... It was frankly, my idea of a hell ......

 

[McRackin]

TUI To Increase Their All Inclusive Offer On The Island.
The tour company TUI are to increase their all inclusive hotel offer on the island by nearly 100%! Reacting to what they say is demand for this product, especially by German tourists, TUI are going to have 9 hotel complexes exclusively all inclusive on the island this coming season. This is 4 more than in 2004 & apparently doesn't include the many other hotels where the company have guests & who offer the client all inclusive as an option to be bought once on the island at the hotel reception.
A spokesman for TUI was very critical of the Balearic Government plans to control the quality of the all inclusive offer on the islands which this year is appearing to be the favourite destination of German tourists travelling with TUI. However, TUI did say that controls of quality had to be good for the client so they were prepared to wait & see what the law proposed when it was finally presented in public.
TUI went on to explain that they are contracting certain hotels in Ibiza to provide holidays for professional couples. They have produced special brochures for this high spending power type tourist to attract them to choose the Baleares for a relaxing, fun break.

British Tour Firms Predict 29% Increase In All Inclusive Holidays In Spain.
Whilst saying that sales for traditional holidays in the Baleares were dropping by round 5 to 17%, British tour companies apparently reported an increase in demand of 29% for all inclusive holidays throughout the tourist regions of Spain. The tour operators implied that Spanish tourist resorts will have to offer more all inclusive holidays if they are not to lose market share to other tourist destinations world wide. However, some spokesmen question the point of having thousands of tourists on the island if they do not leave their hotel & spend money in the rest of the local economy. The bad affect of the increase in all inclusive holidays in Ibiza upon the complimentary tourist offer of the island is slightly offset by the news that there will be 43 direct flights a week to Ibiza this next season from the UK. This should result in a large increase in tourists who organise their own holidays without going through a tour company & who stay in private rented accommodation using all the available local services & facilities.

the ibiza sun

 

[WeLuvIbiza]

Humbug.

Went on an all inclusive to Jamiaca (Ciboney - Ocho Rio) a few years back, the place was magnificent. The majority of guests were American who ordered plates and plates of food throughout the day, simply for the sake of it 80% wasted

The resort was in the middle of a tin shack community, we spent most of our money buying stuff we didn't need off the locals. In certain parts of the world, perhaps where vistors do not feel safe outside the all inclusive resort, maybe they are beneficial.

In Ibiza and the other Balearics, they are surely the worst thing ever to happen to the islands (along with Ibiza uncovered)?

 

[fatphilb]

idiots

 

[chambo]

Do you think party minded people will be interested in this folks??
Im not so sure!!

 

[Morbyd]

We went on all-inclusive for the first time ever at the beginning of this year and loved it. It was in Cancun, Mexico... and I'd say the largest nationality in our hotel was British!

I suppose it depends on whether you're the type who thinks "that's it, everything's included, I'm not going anywhere", or if you're the type to use the included breakfast and/or lunch (and afternoon drinks ), then wander out into the city for dinner, etc. If you're the latter, I see no harm in it.

I'm American but I'm far from a typical American tourist (and yes, I finished every one one of the plates of food I loaded up on.. god I love Mexican food! ). However, I wouldn't rule out another shot at all-inclusive.

That said, I don't think I'd do it in Ibiza, unless it was just a good hotel on its own (and I could pop down to the bar for a free drink anytime ).

 

[puppylover]

We went on all-inclusive for the first time ever at the beginning of this year and loved it. It was in Cancun, Mexico... and I'd say the largest nationality in our hotel was British!

I suppose it depends on whether you're the type who thinks "that's it, everything's included, I'm not going anywhere", or if you're the type to use the included breakfast and/or lunch (and afternoon drinks ), then wander out into the city for dinner, etc. If you're the latter, I see no harm in it.

I'm American but I'm far from a typical American tourist (and yes, I finished every one one of the plates of food I loaded up on.. god I love Mexican food! ). However, I wouldn't rule out another shot at all-inclusive.

That said, I don't think I'd do it in Ibiza, unless it was just a good hotel on its own (and I could pop down to the bar for a free drink anytime ).

I think on the two AI holidays I went on - virtually everyone stayed in the hotel, hardly anyone went on the tours - unless the hotel arranged it - we just found a Jamaican with a car and paid him a wedge to take us out to visit places we wanted to go to rather than the places the hotel wanted us to visit.

I found the whole holiday a total let down - could have been anywhere sunny/hot if you didnt make the effort to get out of the prison camp, sorry holiday resort...

Such a waste of a visit/experience of another Island/Country in my opinion.

On the positive side for AI - if you have kids its probably a cheaper way of having a holiday abroad and you know the kids will be entertained to some degree with other kids to play with and someone looking out for them. But not my cup of tea

 

[WeLuvIbiza]

Interesting point you make about the children, pl. When we went to Jamaica, the AI resort didn't allow children under the age of 16. Probably changed now as Sandals have taken over the place. We were warned repeatedly not to venture out of the place other than on their own excursions. I was out and about from the start and eventually persuaded Shelley that we were unlikely to be murdered as soon as we left the complex!! The hawkers were worse than anywhere in the world though, blimey a Kirby vacuum salesman would do well to study the sales techniques of the Jamaican hawkers.

My sister loves the AI deals, and rarely goes on any other type of holiday around Europe, needless to say, I think she is probably a stereo typical person for this type of deal. Drinks the place dry and eats until fit to burst on a daily basis Probably spends less on the holiday than Shelley and I do in the airport before we have left Blighty.

The impact of the AI hotels was noticeable in Calla llonga this year

 

[puppylover]

Interesting point you make about the children, pl. When we went to Jamaica, the AI resort didn't allow children under the age of 16. Probably changed now as Sandals have taken over the place. We were warned repeatedly not to venture out of the place other than on their own excursions. I was out and about from the start and eventually persuaded Shelley that we were unlikely to be murdered as soon as we left the complex!! The hawkers were worse than anywhere in the world though, blimey a Kirby vacuum salesman would do well to study the sales techniques of the Jamaican hawkers.

My sister loves the AI deals, and rarely goes on any other type of holiday around Europe, needless to say, I think she is probably a stereo typical person for this type of deal. Drinks the place dry and eats until fit to burst on a daily basis Probably spends less on the holiday than Shelley and I do in the airport before we have left Blighty.

The impact of the AI hotels was noticeable in Calla llonga this year

Ahhh Hedonism II resort was it????

When I was mentioning the child aspect of AI holidays I actually meant the one we went to in Gran Canaria - rather than Jamaica - our hotel in Jamaica was full of americans and the kids were "its soooooo like, totally unfair!!!" type stroppy teenagers - none under about 16 either (one kid was a full blown industrial/goth in piercings/black clothes/boots and sat under an umbrella all holiday and wore nothing but 3/4 length skater shorts and slipknot t shirt)

Yeah we were warned constantly by the staff - and to be honest the first day I was really wary but then we got talking to "guy on the beach" as you do - ended up in a hut further along buying the biggest bag of grass I have ever seen for like $20 and he got us a driver..... so it was ok and I figured I could be shot by yardies in London so f**k it - lets have an adventure....

You are sooo right on the hawking skills like... they are stupendous!!!! One girl in the hotel who we ended up knocking around with was sleeping with the barman/dj for the whole holiday and they were having a "holiday romance" he made her some reggae tapes to take home as a reminder of him and when he gave them to her (in front of us) he then asked for $10 for them....... we were like O.M.G!!!!!!!

 

[Morbyd]

I found the whole holiday a total let down - could have been anywhere sunny/hot if you didnt make the effort to get out of the prison camp, sorry holiday resort...

That's what I was saying... you've got to get out and do things on your own. Use the all-inclusive to cut down on food/drink expenses and that's it!

When we were in Cancun, we spent just one whole day a the resort (I insisted on it at the end of the trip... we'd traveled around so much I was exhausted! ). Every other day we hopped in the rental car after lunch and struck out somewhere new.

 

[puppylover]

That's what I was saying... you've got to get out and do things on your own. Use the all-inclusive to cut down on food/drink expenses and that's it!

When we were in Cancun, we spent just one whole day a the resort (I insisted on it at the end of the trip... we'd traveled around so much I was exhausted! ). Every other day we hopped in the rental car after lunch and struck out somewhere new.

Y'see - the correct way to do it IMO - my sis and her husband went to some 5* AI in Greece this year - she must have been a stone heavier when she got back - she must have just lay on a lounger for 14 days whilst having food and alcohol delivered to her .......

 

[WeLuvIbiza]

Ahhh Hedonism II resort was it????

buying the biggest bag of grass I have ever seen for like $20 quote]

lol, not a Hedonism resort, but crikey the Americans (generalisation alert, apologies Morbyd) took about 30 seconds to get familiar with one anothers wives in the swimming pools

As for the bag of grass, we had golf buggies & drivers to take us to our villa. On arrival, the driver offered a carrier bag full for a few $$. Funny thing was on departure, we gave him most of the bag back, it was way out of our league in quality & quantity!!

 

[puppylover]

Ahhh Hedonism II resort was it????

buying the biggest bag of grass I have ever seen for like $20 quote]

lol, not a Hedonism resort, but crikey the Americans (generalisation alert, apologies Morbyd) took about 30 seconds to get familiar with one anothers wives in the swimming pools

As for the bag of grass, we had golf buggies & drivers to take us to our villa. On arrival, the driver offered a carrier bag full for a few $$. Funny thing was on departure, we gave him most of the bag back, it was way out of our league in quality & quantity!!

So was ours - and I am no slouch when it comes to "chillin wid da weed mon....." he gave us this bud and when I say a bud it was fookin massive about the size of my hand. I then said in my english voice - "oh that's rather large - do you have something a little smaller?" he looked at me like I was from another planet, looked at the bud, looked at me then snapped a thumb size piece of the bud, chucked it to the floor and handed me the rest - still for $20 - we just took it and pissed ourselves laughing all the way along the beach....

We got back and decided to smoke Jamaican stylee - no tobaccco when we got back to the room - we had one smoke and I sat on the balcony with the same cd on loop for 2 hrs and phil couldnt get off the bed - we had the most horrific munchies and we had like 40 mins to get back downstairs for the buffet before it was cleared away - we just couldnt get out of the room. After that we would get funked every night if we hadnt gone off out all day sightseeing or drinking on an evening - play on the kiddie swings and be in bed by 9.30 watching films with loads of nibbles - we had to block up the doors with towels to smoke - one night there was a knock at the door and we were both ****!! we finally opened the door and there was the stroppy american teenager at our door saying "Hi there, I couldnt help but notice you are smoking pot - I can smell it through the A/C - can I buy some from you?"

We went all moral and said No you cant - what would your parents say and shut the door

Still wouldnt go back to Jamaica again like - even if you paid me -

 

[MARKB]

So was ours - and I am no slouch when it comes to "chillin wid da weed mon....." he gave us this bud and when I say a bud it was fookin massive about the size of my hand. I then said in my english voice - "oh that's rather large - do you have something a little smaller?" he looked at me like I was from another planet, looked at the bud, looked at me then snapped a thumb size piece of the bud, chucked it to the floor and handed me the rest - still for $20 - we just took it and pissed ourselves laughing all the way along the beach....

We got back and decided to smoke Jamaican stylee - no tobaccco when we got back to the room - we had one smoke and I sat on the balcony with the same cd on loop for 2 hrs and phil couldnt get off the bed - we had the most horrific munchies and we had like 40 mins to get back downstairs for the buffet before it was cleared away - we just couldnt get out of the room. After that we would get funked every night if we hadnt gone off out all day sightseeing or drinking on an evening - play on the kiddie swings and be in bed by 9.30 watching films with loads of nibbles - we had to block up the doors with towels to smoke - one night there was a knock at the door and we were both ****!! we finally opened the door and there was the stroppy american teenager at our door saying "Hi there, I couldnt help but notice you are smoking pot - I can smell it through the A/C - can I buy some from you?"

We went all moral and said No you cant - what would your parents say and shut the door

Still wouldnt go back to Jamaica again like - even if you paid me -

Hilarious

 

[Emma_22]

Hilarious

I second this

 

[puppylover]

Honestly when the kid knocked on the door and said that - we were like "WTF - its like a scene from National Lampoons Animal House when they are sitting in the bath with Donald Sutherland and the kid says "can i buy some pot from you" to the lecturer..... you couldnt make it up....

When we finally got downstairs that night to get some food - Phil just stopped dead at the bar door after we had stuffed our faces on horrid but much needed food and said "Steph i seriously cant go to the bar - someone might ask me something really difficult like "do you want ice with that sir?" we just lost it and had to run away and calm down for about 15 mins before we could go back.....