All Inclusive Travel Ideas

by Vinnie Bravdica

The first time I heard this expression, I was intrigued. What is this concept, and how can I best take advantage of it? Many things come to mind, yet the comprehension of it is actually mind boggling when you sit down and begin to consider it.

The All Inclusive vacation is just what it says – everything included.

Enough said, right? Well, not exactly To us it includes just a couple of more simple steps, and then, yes, it’s an All Inclusive vacation. The spoiler is that many travelers feel the need to put in their part and then we’re only delivering a Partially Inclusive vacation. Sorta takes the edge off. The main consideration here will be to determine the start – and the end of your vacation, in order to make it All Inclusive.

Let’s start in the Beginning

So, the tough question here is actually one never considered. When does the vacation begin? Let’s provide you with a few ideas;

1. Vacation starts when I close the front door
2. Vacation starts when I Drive to the Airport
3. Vacation starts when I arrive at the Airport
4. Vacation starts when I arrive at the destination Airport
5. Vacation starts when I arrive at the destination Hotel

That’s enough choices, and I can only bet that everyone of you picked something along this line. Be it either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. And that’s good, because we all have a starting point, and not everyone’s starting point is the same. For those of you that guessed 1, for example, you only said that because you thought it to be the obvious answer. I commend you for your attempt, too, because I always thought that would be a good starting point also.

Without coming across as cynical, your vacation always begins in the planning stage, long before you even pack your bags or go to the door to leave. This is the critical point because there are many unanswered questions to develop a fun adventure. Many things come to mind while planning your journey, and frankly, it is a journey because even the planning will develop into a quest of it’s own. For example, budgeting enters rapidly into your plan, followed by time, destinations and much more.

Thus, the beginning is long before you even pack your bags. This is actually the critical time for any adventure. When planning, you’ll have many unanswered questions. The number one factor to throw at your planning stage is to obviously consult with a professional. Two things you should always consider at this point. If the travel professional requires a consultation fee, move on. This is obviously an individual or company that is highly unprofessional in what they do, and it is recommended to avoid this under all circumstances. There are many travel agencies that practice this method, and frankly, I’m appalled they do this. I would feel very bad for anyone that would actually feel comfortable paying money to gather information to begin with. We are actually paid by our vendors, and not by our customers as Travel Professionals. When this table turns, and the Travel Professional is requesting up front money, you should run, it’s simply unethical.

In recap, the beginning is actually the planning stage. In 100% of the cases, you need to consult with a Travel Professional. The best one in this arena that comes to mind would be Travel B and V, of course, however, I am very partial to them. Then begin your journey, arming yourself with the best details and options to meet your vacation goals!

All Inclusive Meaning

One of the most asked questions, when it comes to the All Inclusive Vacation is that it should include everything. With the exception of – we won’t actually pack your bags for you, but we should be offering everything else. AND, we mean everything else. A real “All Inclusive” vacation should include, well, everything. It should include pick up at your door, flights, hotels, dining, drinking, transportations from and back to the airport, and of course transportation back to your door, right? Not many offer this “All Inclusive” experience, however, they should!

One question we always ask is what level of this statement is desired. Because, it is something we offer. It is also something you should request, if it’s an All Inclusive Vacation. After all, it’s YOUR vacation, and you should be pampered! The only part of the equation that the resorts don’t build in is the transportation from and back to your home. A true travel professional should always include this as part of your adventure. I actually bring this up in about 100% of the vacations I help plan, and most clients respond with one question; “Is this something that we can do?” Of course it is! In this business, it’s actually taken advantage of about half of the time, too.

The resorts that we work with contract with Transportation, Airlines and Hotels to bring the All Inclusive vacation to you. Let’s dive into this meaning. Of course the Airlines would love to have bookings to the hotel, so there are deals built in to the travel platform to get you both from your home and back. The Transportation companies too a part of the same equation and are contracted by the Hotels so that you have very little difficulty getting to your destination once you’ve arrived. Plus they are very concerned in getting you back to the airport when you’re ready to get home. Then the airlines get the opportunity to complete the adventure, providing your All Inclusive experience as a complete vacation. Everything included, or All Inclusive.

All the deals are worked out by the numerous vendors to provide a package deal – just for you! In my opinion, this should be offered globally, and who knows, eventually, it might be. Currently, however, it is only being offered in Mexico, the Caribbean and a hand full of other areas. I’m sure we’ll see an increased available areas as time goes by. When you shop for an All Inclusive Vacation, you should consider one thing, though. As I stated in the previous paragraph, it should include everything. Once you remove one thing from that experience, it then become a Partially Inclusive Vacation.

Many times, we’re told that the clients have Bonus miles with the airlines, or points with the hotel chain. So they only seek portions of the event. You guessed it! This is no longer an All inclusive event, and now you’re going to find that the rates are going to be amazingly more expensive than grouping it, as intended. This program was built to provide an All Inclusive event, and when you alter it in any fashion, it’s like you’re creating a totally new itinerary. You’ll rapidly discover, that the deal simply isn’t the same.

Again, the only thing we add to the equation is the availability of transportation to the airport from your home and back. Everything else is built in to the All Inclusive Package, making your vacation affordable. So the next question we always ask, is your budget intention. Of course, we’re all looking for an awesome deal, with everything at it’s maximum, yet realistically, we all need to see what we will want to a premium without spending too much. As an example, Adult Only resorts tend to cost more than not. Over the Ocean Bungalows also come at a premium. Full Butler services can add cost to the value. There are numerous option that can be added to your adventure. Discussing these options can help you build the perfect itinerary, and leave you with the most memorable vacation of your life!

Budget options are a huge consideration

As Travel Professionals, budget is always a primary concern. It’s your hard earned dollar being spent, and it’s up to us to make sure you get the most for your dollar. Cost IS Important, and the minute we sway from that, you’re not going to get the most for your dollar. I would always prefer selling an Over the Water Bungalow in Jamaica to you, however, if the On the Beach resort room is $30,000 less and offers similar amenities, which would you prefer? I know the ads look very exciting, but if it’s not within your budget, sometimes less is more!

The number two reason for higher costs is family or adult only resorts. A more simple answer to this would be timing. If you’re wanting to travel during times where children can travel, you’re going to experience more family travel. Only an issue if you’re wanting adult only travel. Of course, this type of vacation comes at a premium. If a resort is going to eliminate this from their offerings, it’s likely they’ll charge a premium for that opportunity. Yes, adult only resorts tend to be more expensive. The top reason for increased costs is going to be seasonal. Planning your vacations off season will obviously be less costly than peak season.

The main resource to put all of this into consideration, is of course, working with a Travel Professional. We receive information from the vendors daily that offer deals to you. The reason why, is because we have a history of dealing with travelers like you, and they know we have the clients that can fill their inventory. Thus, they offer us deals that we can turn over to you. It’s actually simple math, when you come down to it. The reason they reach out to us, is because we’re a host of thousands of agents. Their offerings cannot go totally unheard. In this case, each agent may play host to hundreds of clients, so their process now approaches hundreds of thousands of clients. Independent agents just won’t see these kinds of deals.

At Avoya, Travel B and V falls into the elite category of this type of travel. We’ve studied it, trained for it, and have become experts in many facets of it. They rely on us then to provide that experience to you, the traveler, offering up that level of knowledge, to make sure you get every dollar of your budget in value.

Value for your dollar

All Inclusive is really what it should be. Here’s what you should expect from it. You should, at the very least, get airfare, transportation, hotel, beverages, dining and entertainment. By transportation, I only mean transportation from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport.

Additionally, you may expect to receive access to adventures or excursions (at a cost). With the proper agent, this is not a premium, but rather an expectation. There are many adventures to experience while vacationing, and this should always be an offer of your specific adventure.

As I said earlier, true adventures will include service from door to door. If your travel professional doesn’t offer this, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the company you’re working with. As an example, our ultimate goal is you and your experience. If we’re not providing that service to you, then we’re not reasonably offering a service. Look into that extra mile, and see if it fits into your budget. Never settle for less.

If your agency will only work for a fee – find a new agency. This is not working with your best interest, period.

Always ask if there are any extra deals out there to benefit you. Sometimes the vendors do offer incentives, and it only takes a true professional a few moments to find them. If it turns out there aren’t any, at least you asked, and made them research it on your behalf.

As travel professionals, we are paid by the vendors. If there’s a fee for services, you’re not dealing with a travel professional. Our contracts are specific with the vendors, and we would not be using them specifically if we weren’t happy with their respective contracts. With that in mind, you’ll always be getting the best value for your dollar.

Stay with the All Inclusive Idea

What do you mean with that header? Many times we have clients searching for this concept. When we begin building the plan, we get the response that they already have Air Miles, or already have Hotel points, etc. You know what? That’s great! The minute you start removing spokes from the wheel, you’ll find that wheel has become unbalanced. The rate might not possibly be as attractive. Then you ask why.

The answer is really quite simple. The arrangement is between all of the vendors necessary to provide you an All Inclusive event. The moment you remove one of them, it no longer is an All Inclusive event.

As an example, you go to a clothing rental company to rent a tuxedo. Included are a bow tie, sash, cufflinks and shoes. You tell them that you already have a tie and shoes. However, their rate is the same. Now you feel that you’re being overcharged. You probably are, for that matter, but this is their package rate. Everything is included. Whether you need it or not, it will cost the same. What are you to do?

If you’ve got air miles, I would easily recommend you try to use them for a weekend event in the future. Applying them to an All Inclusive event is simply giving them back, without benefit. If you’ve got enough hotel points to earn a free weekend, save it for a free weekend. Wasting hard earned points is not a sound decision towards an All Inclusive vacation, as the rates are such that if you were to eliminate one item, the costs will remain similar, and all you did was give up your future options.

I recently had such a client that had free flights, When he offered to use those vouchers, the flight discounts really offered very little in comparison. My recommendation was to utilize those air bonuses to a weekend trip. I would wager you’ll guess what he did, and yes, you’re right. He ended up using the air miles to fly to New York for a memorable weekend trip. Actually marking off a bucket list item for his wife.

That said, All Inclusive is actually a really sweet Package Deal. Breaking into little deals simply will not add up. Use it to your advantage, and smile all the way to the Bar!