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- Where does it have a button: how does the All-inclusive system differ in different countries
The high summer season is less than three months away, and tourists are actively planning trips abroad and across Russia. Many Russians, especially with children, choose an All-inclusive and Ultra All-inclusive vacation. For example, in Turkey and Egypt, the vast majority of such hotels, according to "Fly.ru" — 80% and 70%, respectively. However, the service in these countries is different. In Thailand, All Inclusive can disappoint travelers at all, in the UAE a lot depends on the emirate. The reference option is Turkey, but there is periodic talk of abandoning this system. Details and expert advice can be found in the Izvestia article.
Different concepts
—All inclusive is not a strict standard of service, but a marketing term," Space Travel recalls. — There are no clear criteria in any country for what hotels can be called All inclusive and what this concept should include. Therefore, each hotel calculates the content of the concept at its discretion.
In Russia, for example, GOST R 70587-2022, the national standard for Tourism and Related Services, was approved in 2022. All-inclusive and Ultra All-inclusive accommodation facilities. However, it is not mandatory, so everything is at the discretion of the hotels.
A lot depends on the "stardom", and on the location, and on the affiliation of the hotel chain. Somewhere there are separate paid services or products, for example, activities on the water, tennis, hookah bar, beach bar, imported alcohol.
— Quite a standard situation is a paid mini-bar in the room or restaurants on the premises, — Space Travel clarified. As a rule, tourists can visit such restaurants once for free during their holidays, but there may be exceptions.
Experts say: there is an "All inclusive" as it is understood by luxury luxury chains, and there is an "All inclusive" in the modest "four" on the second line. These will be two fundamentally different concepts.
A textbook example
Even in Turkey, in one hotel, "All inclusive" can mean round—the-clock meals, free imported alcohol, water activities, a kids' club and much more, while in another hotel, "All inclusive" means only three meals a day and a very limited selection of local alcohol, everything else is for money.
At the same time, there is constant talk in Turkey about the possible cancellation of "All inclusive" or about reducing the assortment. Guests of some hotels are already noticing that he has become more modest. For example, red fish or seafood are less common. But, according to experts, this is more typical for the end or beginning of the season. Or again, for the "humble foursome."
— Regarding the cancellation of the All-inclusive concept in Turkey: it is unlikely that hoteliers will abandon it anyway. The reduction in the menu, which was observed by tourists, is most likely due to certain factors," explained the head of the international projects "Fly.<url>" and Lyubov Voronina, Managing Director of the Let's Fly tour operator. — For example, this could be noticed at the beginning or end of the season, since in the case when the hotel is only 30-40% full, buffet tables are organized in proportion to the number of tourists.
Lyubov Voronina noted that the Turkish buffet is constantly being improved, including the expansion of the range of dishes, among which you can even find Russian borscht and buckwheat porridge. There are also "fish days" when tourists are offered a wide selection of fresh seafood, rolls and even crab.
Space Travel emphasized that minor changes are constantly appearing in the concepts of individual hotels: something is being added, something is being canceled, but tourists often do not even notice this. All the talk about the cancellation of "All inclusive", as a rule, comes from associations of merchants or restaurateurs who do not make a profit due to the fact that almost all services are available to guests on the territory of hotels.
Everything is included, but there are nuances
The All Inclusive system in Egypt is usually somewhat more modest than in Turkey. For example, even in the "fives" you may encounter the fact that they offer free lunch only once: either in the main restaurant or in the snack bar. Tourists shared their experiences when they had to pay about $30 for an additional snack. Indeed, according to experts, some hotels have an All-inclusive tariff policy that may involve only one lunch or dinner.
— Usually the concept includes three meals a day, snacks in bars during the day and local alcohol: wine, beer, spirits, — explained in the company "Russian Express". — A small number of hotels also include premium locally produced and imported alcohol of certain brands.
Many hotels have bars and a la carte restaurants where meals are not included in the price of the All Inclusive concept. Seafood is rarely served (except fish) and, as a rule, only in 5* deluxe hotels, where there are a la carte restaurants with seafood cuisine.
Space Travel also noted that the food may differ slightly from what is offered in Turkey, since Egypt is a stricter Muslim country, plus logistics impose some restrictions: fresh vegetables and fruits have to be transported from the Nile Delta, and in Antalya they are half an hour away.
According to Lyubov Voronina, the Turkish buffet format can only be provided by Turkish hotel chains located directly in Egypt. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are generally fewer luxury hotels in Egypt than in Turkey. Animation, water activities and other services are not fundamentally different, as they try to sharpen the concept for tourists.
At the same time, the cost of tours to Egypt, especially in the peak months of July and August, is lower in hotels of the same level than in Turkey. The difference per family can reach 560 thousand rubles, if we talk, for example, about 5* hotels of a good level.
New format and paid towels
Tunisia will join the fight for Russian tourists this year. Two tour operators have announced programs for the summer. Grand Express, as last year, announced a flight program from Moscow and St. Petersburg starting in April (in 2024, flights from the capital appeared only in the fall) on Nouvelair Tunisie, and the tour operator Biblio-Globus on Express Airline.
There are fewer all-inclusive hotels in Tunisia than, for example, in Egypt or Turkey, and the concept itself is closer to the Egyptian one, but with differences.
— Alcohol, as a rule, is included only locally. Usually, national cuisine is quite widely represented (which Egyptian hotels cannot always boast of), " explained the Russian Express company. — Meals are served three or four times a day, restaurants are not open around the clock. Hotels may have bars and a la carte restaurants where meals are not included in the price.
In 3* and four-star hotels, beach towels are available for a fee. According to experts, the beaches in Tunisia are public, as, for example, in Greece. They do not belong to hotels, and third-party companies provide services there. In addition, it is not uncommon for hotels in these categories to charge money for using a safe.
At the same time, as the general representative of Grand Express in Tunis, Nefa Souid, said, a new All Inclusive concept has recently appeared in Tunisia. The a la carte restaurants included in the price not only provide the guest with a la carte meals, but also can cook something to his liking.
All Inclusive and Prohibition
In the UAE, the All-inclusive concept depends on both the hotel itself and the emirate. For example, guests should be aware that alcohol is prohibited in Sharjah. However, the restriction on it can be encountered not only there.
"There is also no alcohol in hotels in other emirates if they belong to owners from Sharjah,— Space Travel experts explained. "Such a concept can be called Soft All Inclusive (SAI)."
Some hotels also have a deposit per room (the amount depends on the specific hotel). They may also ask you to sign the bill at the bar — you should not be outraged, this does not mean that you will have to pay, just a form of reporting.
A la carte restaurants, as in other countries, may be paid. In addition, hotels often offer different types of meals. Lyubov Voronina noted that in the UAE they check which hotel restaurants tourists go to, depending on the type of their bracelet corresponding to the chosen concept.
Also, she clarified, the breakfast buffet in the UAE is often much smaller than in Turkey, and many hotels try to work according to the menu.
According to Space Travel experts, the most common All-inclusive system in the emirate of Ras al Khaimah. There are quite a few hotels that are located at a distance from the urban infrastructure and have their own beaches. For example, these are the islands of Al-Marjan or Mina al-Arab. The proportion of such facilities is higher here than, for example, in Dubai.
The holy month of Ramadan has been celebrated in Muslim countries since February 28. But, according to experts, this does not affect the operation of hotels. Restaurants located on verandas or in the open air, as well as some bars at certain times, can be closed at maximum.
Not in a hotel, it's cheaper
In Thailand, which is popular with Russians, "All inclusive" can unpleasantly surprise tourists. Some experts clarify that there is no such system in the classical sense of the word in the country. The exception is hotels located in seclusion, without sufficient infrastructure around. There you can find the classic All Inclusive. One example is Khao Lak, from where this system began to spread throughout Thailand.
All Inclusive in the Kingdom is more often understood as three meals and drinks a day, but they are not always included in the price. According to experts, even if the hotel has such a concept, it will most likely be Light All Inclusive.
Another point is that if hotels usually offer a buffet for breakfast, then lunches and dinners are usually on the menu, and you should not count on a very extensive selection.
"But such a concept accounts for a very small volume of applications," Space Travel explained. — As a rule, it is chosen when staying in isolated hotels and families with children. In other cases, meals outside the hotels are much cheaper and more varied, so up to 70% of those traveling to Thailand choose only breakfast."
In Sri Lanka, the situation is similar: eating in numerous cafes and restaurants is much cheaper than paying extra for meals at the hotel. Therefore, here, "All inclusive" is also more often chosen when staying in remote large resort complexes. Basically, you can count on three meals and drinks a day (but the choice is limited).
In Vietnam, there are also many interesting and inexpensive cafes outside the hotel. Nevertheless, the All-inclusive system is well developed. They usually offer a buffet and local drinks. Among the dishes you can find exotic dishes with a local flavor, unusual fruits, seafood.
Save on alcohol
— In the Maldives, most of the hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. The concept can be either the simplest (three meals a day plus drinks during meals), or it can contain all kinds of extended programs (which may include water activities, excursions, spa vouchers, and other services, as well as a wide variety of drinks). There are hotels that offer two or three different AI systems to choose from," Russian Express said.
This option is also common: buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner — a la carte. In small luxury hotels, guests are remembered personally and offered to order the chef's services individually, Lyubov Voronina clarified.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from being imported to the Maldives, including those purchased at Duty Free. The cost of alcohol, which can only be bought at island resorts, is quite high, so the All-inclusive system can help save money in this matter.
"All inclusive" under sanctions
Caribbean resorts have their own nuances.
— In Cuba, "All inclusive" is quite limited due to very strict sanctions, and a hotel with such a concept must be chosen quite carefully. It is better to look towards the expensive 5*. Entertainment on the beach is often not included in the concept," Space Travel explained.
Tourists often complain about not very tasty food and a rather modest assortment. Drinks are usually offered locally.
Anapa is the All Inclusive Champion
In Russia, the All-inclusive system is actively developing in the Black Sea resorts in the Moscow region. You can find it in other regions as well. Anapa is the undisputed leader. There are some special features depending on the level of the accommodation facility and where it is located.
— All Inclusive is most widely distributed in Anapa hotels (up to 80% of the resort's total room stock), while such hotels are also not uncommon in other resorts of the Krasnodar Territory, — said the Russian Express. — All-inclusive hotels in the Moscow region and Crimea are also popular. As a rule, the price includes three meals a day and a buffet, intermediate meals with snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), as well as animation for children and adults, but additional services on site may also be included (for example, visits to SPA complexes with shared thermal areas, playgrounds and rental of sports equipment, etc. etc.).
The level of nutrition, the variety of dishes, as well as the set of additional services included can vary greatly from hotel to hotel, so it is recommended to always clarify the concept of a particular hotel in advance so that reality matches expectations. For example, alcohol is usually included only in Russian production. Wine can also be found in tetra packs. Champagne is served for breakfast in some 4* and 5* hotels, not only in resorts. As a rule, children's animation is well developed in Anapa family hotels. Special dishes for young guests are also not uncommon.
The concept also depends on the season; in low season, the number of services tends to decrease. For example, outdoor pools and beach bars are closing.
—There are also hotels operating under the Ultra All Inclusive system, which implies the most comprehensive range of services," the experts added. — But this does not mean that, for example, alcohol will be available 24/7, but SPA complexes with shared thermal areas are available in almost all hotels with this concept.
Talk to a travel agent.
In any case, experts recommend consulting with travel agents or carefully studying the conditions on the hotel's website. Of course, when checking in, tourists are always told about the concept of accommodation.
"Another thing is that travelers may not attach importance to this, especially after a long flight," Space Travel added. — Plus, the staff is not always Russian-speaking, especially in non-mass markets for Russians.
So it's better to find out about all the nuances before starting the trip. This will help to avoid unnecessary expenses and not be disappointed during your vacation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
