All-Inclusive Resorts: Ticking All the Boxes During COVID-19
As vaccinations continue, worries begin to diminish, and life inches closer to a better version of the new normal, travel advisors are reporting bookings are also on an upward climb. The news is encouraging industry-wide, but particularly for all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean, which continue to top the list of preferred locations among travelers these days.
When the pandemic hit, suppliers and resorts throughout the travel industry were forced to pivot to not only ensure the safety and wellness of their guests, but also maintain the pleasure points that have been the reason all-inclusives have long been in demand. Their efforts have paid off in spades, with travelers still choosing this type of getaway above all else.
That trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as families, friends, and wedding groups flock to these resorts to make up for milestones missed and celebrations long overdue. Travel Market Report decided to revisit this inclination towards all-inclusives by speaking with travel advisors about what they’re seeing and hearing in the market and how that feedback is impacting what they sell and to whom.
Pilkington在亚特兰大旅行的顾问乔纳森·皮尔金顿(Jonathan Pilkington)承认,在19日之前,全包都不在他的范围内。实际上,在Pilkington甚至考虑向客户出售包容的全包之前,他是在2020年访问其中的几个。weren’t for COVID. But after going myself, I realized they provide you with your own little travel bubble where you don’t need to worry about going anywhere beyond the property itself.”
安全仍然是首要任务
如今,全包顾问是度假者的首选选择,而安全性很高的原因有很多。
大多数包罗万象的度假胜地的布局和规模使社会疏远。增加该控制能力;迎合户外用餐,娱乐和活动的气候;以及对卫生和安全协议的特别关注,难怪旅行顾问倾向于预订这些财产。
“现在安全是个重要因素,”厄尔说en Geissel, an advisor with Mouse World Travel in Scotch Plains, N.J. “My phone is ringing off the hook because the vaccine is making people feel safer. And now they want to go away and relax, enjoy good food and adventures. All-inclusives take care of every aspect of a vacation and you don’t have to worry every night when you go to dinner if the restaurant will be observing protocols because your resort IS your dining venue. Staying at an all-inclusive eliminates that stress and allows people to just enjoy.”
巡洋舰正在转换
在过去的一年中,随着休假的巡航,我们与之交谈的旅行顾问所见证的最著名的动作之一是邮轮客户转换为全包客户。据马里兰州Cheesepeake Travel In Great Mill的所有者Beverly Brown说,过渡是合乎逻辑且顺利的,这主要要归功于供应商和度假胜地,他们迅速提高了他们的游戏清洁度和建立协议,使客户感到安全。价值也不会受到伤害。
“When you can price somebody to go to an all-inclusive resort on a Caribbean island or to Mexico and it’s a fraction of the cost of going to Florida in peak season where they would still have to buy their food and beverages, it’s a no-brainer [to send them to an all-inclusive],” said Brown. “Plus, the practices that were put in place made it really easy and safe for us to offer this option to our clients.” Like Pilkington, Brown decided to put these resorts to the test. She has been traveling since October and sharing her comfort level first-hand with her followers on social media.
安德森(Anderson)在科罗拉多州阿尔瓦达(Arvada)的冒险经营者查克·安德森(Chuck Anderson)报告说,他的90%的业务是全包度假胜地,他将所有这些都归因于库维德。“欧洲现在不在桌子上,人们想旅行。全包度假胜地可用且价格合理。我通常会航行的巡航客户非常喜欢在海滩上静止不动。”像他的同龄人一样,安德森(Anderson)一直在整个大流行中旅行,张贴他的个人照片和视频以激发人们的灵感。“我认为他们是否不确定,并且他们与我或任何其他旅行顾问交谈,他们将获得信心。这些度假胜地正在竭尽全力使您感到安全。”
Groups are Ripe for All-Inclusives
From multi-generational families to clusters of friends, travel advisors report seeing more groups booking than usual this year and into 2022. Their motivation to finally travel again ranges from making up for lost time and milestone celebrations to those that feel they deserve a break after a year like no other. Geissel said she had a client whose husband originally wanted to get a house at the beach for their vacation. “But she told me she was tired of taking care of everyone in her house and she didn’t feel like making beds or cooking meals anymore. I convinced her to book an all-inclusive instead and now someone else will be taking care of her and her family. I’m really excited for her!”
Anderson shared a similar story, noting he currently has five families traveling in Cancun who are all friends. “They picked the same resort so they could be together finally. I think people are just dying to travel to be honest. I understand that it’s a personal choice still but the safety protocols these all-inclusive resorts are undertaking are far beyond anything I’ve seen in the United States. Once you go and see it for yourself first-hand, you are less afraid.”
Pilkington said the all-inclusive market for him runs the gamut. “I have honeymooners, trips for bachelors and bachelorettes, and people celebrating birthdays. I have clients in all those categories right now. The past few weeks have been significantly busier and the vaccines have helped change people’s mindsets to a feeling of hope.”
布朗补充说,如果您的客户仍然对独自旅行感到紧张,请考虑与他们一起去。“对于某些人来说,这只是一个额外的舒适度。这意味着他们有一个可以看待谁负责的人,这是他们的联系点。向他们展示您知道如何不时地导航旅行法规,然后引导他们完成整个过程可能会有不同的世界。”
不要忘记销售并提供激励措施
由于多种原因,许多旅行者也不害怕为期待已久的度假而挥霍一点点,因此不要害羞地为他们提供在可能的情况下升级的选择。
“People are more willing to spend now than they were before COVID,” said Geissel. “Many people who didn’t go anywhere last year have saved that vacation money and want to step up to a swim-up room or suite. I think there is a whole ‘I deserve it’ vibe going on. I don’t think advisors should be afraid to approach them about it.”
另外,请记住,许多包罗万象的度假胜地提供计划,其中孩子(甚至在某些情况下甚至是青少年)保持自由。旅行顾问认为,这些类型的激励措施肯定可以成为交易制造商。
如今,全包度假胜地正在勾选所有盒子……现在该通知您的客户为什么!
来自赞助商:
10海滨度假胜地俯瞰闪闪发光的turquoise waters, Palace Resorts sets the highest standards for five-star, all-inclusive vacations in Mexico and Jamaica. Offering luxurious and spacious accommodations accentuated by signature in-room double whirlpool tubs, nightly entertainment, the Caribbean and Mexico’s most extravagant spas, and a premier Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Palace Resorts sets the stage for a truly exceptional experience for travelers. The unparalleled level of service and comfort found at each property makes Palace Resorts a leader in world-class resort vacations. For more information, visit www.palaceresorts.com.