Value, convenience and other important factors make all-inclusives an appealing meetings option nowadays, say planners and hotel executives familiar with the concept.
“There is no nickeling and diming—if the group needs an LED screen, they won’t be charged,” said Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC. “It’s easier for the planner to manage the venue costs if they know the venue will provide everything the delegate will want without adding on extras. Value comes in, but the convenience, transparency and control you get are also very important.”
In an era when many resorts are tacking on fees for everything from use of the fitness center to maid service, the all-inclusive concept is especially beneficial to the bottom line, said Debra Edwards, vice president of group meeting and incentive sales for Marival Group.
“While the all-inclusive approach may seem more expensive, it is not,” she said. “Overall, you can have a four- or five-diamond experience and save a lot. A true all-inclusive is about controlling your budget. You know what the price is and there are no surprises.”
If clients have their doubts, Marival will do a breakdown that compares the costs of the all-inclusive, including taxes and service fees, with costs at a European Plan (EP) hotel, according to Edwards.
“When we do a cost comparison, it breaks down per person to be quite a bit more at an EP hotel,” she said.
Where planners really save is on food and beverage, according to Andy Finn, vice president of group sales for Benchmark Hospitality, a company that has long embraced the Complete Meeting Package (CMP) concept.
“While the room rate tends to be the same in either case, you can end up paying up to 50 percent less for food and beverage,” he said. “For instance, a sumptuous buffet breakfast can cost $50 per person at an EP hotel, while under the CMP, it will be nowhere near that.”
Along with making it easier for planners to budget the meeting, all-inclusives also provide an opportunity for attendees to enjoy themselves without concern for racking up expenses, said Troy Hedenskog, group sales manager for The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Mont.
“The all-inclusive allows attendees to have the freedom to participate in everything we offer, whether it’s skeet shooting, fly-fishing, horseback riding or other activities,” he said. “At the end of the day, guests can relax in the saloon without worrying about what impact a premium beer, wine or cocktail will have on the budget.”
While acknowledging the value and convenience factor provided by all-inclusives, Rhonda Brewer, vice president of sales for Maritz Travel and immediate past president of SITE, observed that planners still need to put effort into building in the activities and group functions. They also need to take care in matching the right property and amenities with the needs of the attendees.
“Some groups will want more wellness or outdoor activities, some will want great tech amenities, and others will want to get away from tech,” she said. “There’s a lot of choice out there right now, so you have to really know your group.”
Many groups quickly come to prefer the all-inclusive experience, she added.
“Once you get them there, it’s easy for groups to get used to an all-inclusive,” she said. “They will want to try them again and again.”
