All-Inclusive Spain
Because Spain has attracted so many British and Irish holidaymakers over the years, a small percentage dip in visitors hides a drop of tens of thousands. The decline has been going on for a few years yet Spain remains as the most important destination. To Spain, the decline is worrying despite the vast numbers who still travel there.
Why do fewer Brits and Irish visit and what can be done to attract them back again?
Competition from cheaper markets outside the eurozone like Turkey and Egypt are significant. So are those areas like some islands in the Caribbean and places like Gambia where all-inclusive holidays can be bought. The appeal of all inclusives is that you can budget pretty accurately. You know what is covered, what isn’t and can plan accordingly. That is one of the reasons that holidaymakers like them so much. It may explain some of the growth in cruising for that is similar to an all-inclusive product.
But destinations aren’t fond of them and one place I often found strong resistance to them expanding was in Spain. The reason is that if a holidaymaker stays at on a B&B rate or a half board, they will go out to restaurants, attractions and the markets. They will spend additional money which boosts the local economy. With an all-inclusive holiday, there is little reason to spend outside the confines of the holiday complex apart from maybe at attractions but even these can be paid as part of the package. Even just a few years ago in Marbella I had tourism officials saying that all-inclusives were not the way forward.
Now, in the light of the downturn, Spanish suppliers are packaging all-inclusives for the tour operators. And it is working. This year all-inclusive holidays to Spain are thought to be up over 10%. Even now there are still cheap all-inclusive deals left with tour operators for the Canaries and the Costas. Given that we are half way through August, it is a sign of how Spain – and the tour operators – are working hard to encourage us to return there.
In the good times, Spain was unconcerned about all-inclusives. In the less good they are aggressively taking on their competitors. And the British and Irish travellers are benefitting.
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I love Ibiza (San Antonia) and would go there EVERY year but since the Euro exchange rate its far cheaper to go to Turkey you get more for your money and the people are more friendly with lots of things to do. Same reason why I dont go to Greece.
I agree with Stuart’s mail the Euro has a big part to play with the decline in Spain’s popularity and the holiday destinations of the British tourist. However, it must also be said irrespective of the ‘All Inclusive’ holiday (which I might add I like) people are becoming more adventurous with their chioce of holidays and if the truth be known places like some of Spain’s oldest resorts have become so much like Blackpool they have lost their appeal for many Brits. One final factor is when you see the behaviour of some of the youngsters travelling to Spain these days and the drunken antics not only in the bars and clubs but hotels also, not only dose it make you feel ashamed to say you are British, but it’s a big turn off for a lot of people who have been happily travelling to Spain for many years.
Has Spain past it’s sell by date for the average British holiday maker?? I think only time will tell.
Finally the one good thing I am hopeful of for Brits staying and holidaying in this country at present, it should help the British economy, but alass it’s always the weather that’s a let down.