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BBC report highlights danger of all-inclusive holidays
All-inclusive holidays have been blamed for damaging local businesses in the tourist hotspots, such as Spain’s Costa del Sol and the Dominican Republic.
Tourism Concern claimed on BBC Breakfast that local restaurants were being forced to close because tourists no longer spent money outside their all-inclusive hotel.
It claims that in Turkey, just 10% of tourist spend from all-inclusive holidays found its way into the local economy.
In the Dominican Republic, it said all-inclusive hotels have been blamed for restaurant closures and increased negative attitude towards tourists.
Tourism Concern conceded there was a demand for all-inclusive holidays, sales of which have risen 50% in the past three years and now account for a third of all package holiday sales.
"However, the implications for employees, other local businesses, the destination economy, and the tourist experience in terms of meaningful cultural exchange, throws up some serious questions about the sustainability and ethics of this tourism model," it said.
TUI brand First Choice will switch to selling exclusively all-inclusive holidays from this summer. TUI distribution director Nick Longman said the operator was keen to work with local restaurants to ensure money from tourists continued to filter into the local economy.
He said restaurants could work with all-inclusive hotels offering guest dine-around programmes and similar initiatives.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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