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Post by holidayman on Apr 8, 2011 12:34:34 GMT 2
Just received this news by email today from a very reliable source.
Another smack in the face for the smaller accommodation owners in Roda and elsewhere who dont want to provide AI services.
Quote as follows:
First Choice plans to sell only all-inclusive holidays from summer 2012, reflecting the growing dominance of this holiday type for UK customers. The operator will no longer offer self-catering or half-board options and is working with hotels and resorts to help them convert to all-inclusive. Any hotels that cannot offer all-inclusive may be switched to the Thomson programme. All holidays in the summer 2012 programme, which will be available to book by the beginning of May, will include flights, transfers, accommodation, three daily meals and unlimited local drinks. Johan Lundgren, managing director of Tui Travel’s northern region, said the move would help differentiate the First Choice product from Thomson and its competitors. “All-inclusive is becoming the holiday of choice for many British consumers, yet there is no mainstream holiday company offering a completely all-inclusive portfolio. “With differentiated product we will move further away from customers choosing tour operators based on cost alone, which is unsustainable.”
All-inclusive has seen steady growth during the recession as consumers seek to control costs. The sector accounted for 60% of First Choice holidays in 2010 and is expected to account for 65% of holidays this year.
Industry bookings analyst GfK Ascent reported that all-inclusive now accounted for 37% of the total UK holiday market and predicted that government spending cuts were likely to drive this trend.
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Post by artisans on Apr 8, 2011 19:14:23 GMT 2
There is a lot to comment on there holidayman - will come back on this one soon. Of course, it would be the perfect opportunity for an imaginative company to step in and pick up all the pieces.
Steve
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Post by aussiechef on Apr 8, 2011 20:49:06 GMT 2
I know quite a few people that prefer All Inclusive. They sit by the pool all day and just want to party all night with no added cost. Me, I want to explore and experience local culture. So no way AI for us.
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Post by kernowman on Apr 8, 2011 22:12:53 GMT 2
Done all inclusive once. Never ever again.
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Post by sthelenssaint on Apr 9, 2011 13:37:13 GMT 2
similar view to kernowman
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Post by artisans on Apr 12, 2011 14:56:19 GMT 2
“All-inclusive is becoming the holiday of choice for many British consumers" Just one point from the posting four days ago, and an argument that is full of holes. As holidayman says, the first objection is that they are certainly 'No Choice Holidays' as the only choice you make is when you choose the location and make the booking. After that, you could be anywhere and the words 'Butlins in the sun' spring to mind. Add to that the pressure applied by tour operators and travel agents to funnel you into the 'all-inclusive' box and they can hardly be called 'holidays of choice.' To my mind, one of the worst justifications is that familes go to these places because they have children, supported by arguments like 'it's my holiday too', 'I can't get my wallet in my shorts' and ' the kids want ice creams every ten minutes.' The truth is that this may be the only two weeks in the year when the family relaxes together as a unit and it is without doubt the best time for the pressures of daily life to be forgotten in order to enjoy each other's company. It is also a time where children can enjoy unstructured play and ignore the disciplines of the rest of the year. I suspect that most people who use this reasoning have never actually thought through what is happening and would be the very last ones to accept that letting the kids run riot at an all-inclusive might actually be viewed by some as abdication of responsibility. That may be an unfair conclusion, but it is often how it seems. Two questions might be asked of families, and they are - do you really want your children to have ice creams every ten minutes? and do you want them to grow up thinking that once you leave your home country, everything is free?
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Post by artisans on Apr 12, 2011 16:03:44 GMT 2
First Choice-owner Tui Travel has rejected claims that its move to sell only all-inclusive holidays from next year will cut UK tourist spending in destinations. They say it is a myth to suggest people do not go out of the hotel just because they are on an all-inclusive holiday. Of course they go out, but few are able, or prepared, to pay twice for the same thing even if it is superior and better value.
Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent newspaper led criticism of the move, saying “From every point of view, except perhaps holiday company shareholders, all-inclusive resorts are the devil’s work.”
Tui has said: “We encourage people to go on local excursions and explore all a destination has to offer.” Well, of course they do, that is where they and their reps make their money and, as we have said before, less safe destinations like Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia are perfect for expensive organised trips. You have two choices - stay in your accommodation or pay up. I wonder if all those who claim Turkey is cheaper, factor in the extra trips they have paid for just to break out of their compounds for a few precious hours?
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Post by artisans on Apr 12, 2011 16:17:48 GMT 2
In yet another outburst at First Choice's decision, campaign group, Tourism Concern have said that the "all-inclusive boom denies benefits to locals" and reminds us that Thomas Cook also has 135 all-inclusive properties in its Turkey brochure alone.
Industry charity 'The Travel Foundation', has said: “The choices in Turkey are diminishing rapidly. Local hotel associations are saying the companies demand all-inclusives. It denies local people any benefit from tourism.” In contradiction of Tui's statement, they added that “People staying in all-inclusive resorts won’t go out and eat local food. There is no incentive for them to go out.” This against the principles of sustainable tourism for which, at one time, First Choice was a leading light and becoming part of Tui is seen to be the reason for the change of direction.
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Post by artisans on Apr 19, 2011 18:46:26 GMT 2
In a report just published, online data research company, Experian, indicates the travel company First Choice may be investing in a shrinking market by selling only 'all-inclusive' holidays from 2012. They say their data shows a 31% year-on-year decrease in all-inclusive holiday search volume and argues that this could be a growing percentage of a shrinking market. The search specialist's data shows lagging search numbers for all-inclusive holidays. Maybe people are registering their dissatisfaction with this type of holiday in spite of massive pressure from the tour companies to steer them in that direction. They really need to listen to their customers.
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Post by mazzz666 on Jul 7, 2011 22:04:38 GMT 2
Hi all first choice were bought out my TUI as in Thomson holidays who will be offering most of the first choice holidays in Roda through the Thomson brochure so no great need to panic really as most places will be available on self catering basis still. we are coming back to Roda in 7 weeks time and have checked for next year and the Elizabeth where we are staying is in the Thomson brochure for next year hope this helps...maria
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