While South Africa will get its very first internationally-recognised all-inclusive resort in July 2026, with the arrival of Club Med on KZN's North Coast, the market remains hazy about the benefits and variations that fall within the all-inclusive concept.
The reality of "all-inclusive" can vary significantly, and managing client’s expectations while conveying all the benefits of the offerings can be a challenging task, say experts.
Expectations vs reality
Joanne Visagie, Sales and Marketing Director at Beachcomber Tours, says many clients are under the impression that “all-inclusive” only means there is no limit on any food or drink options, including the premium lobster dish. This means it's the job of agents to make them aware of the full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Visagie explains that Beachcomber has great value all-inclusive options, however, all-inclusive does not mean unlimited, it means “unlimited in terms of what is included”.
“A priority of all-inclusives is always to keep the pricing as affordable as possible while maintaining quality inclusions and this is why speciality seafood will almost always be at a supplement,” explains Visagie. However, she noted that higher-tier all-inclusive options such as Beachcomber’s premium Serenity Plus package at Shandrani Beachcomber does include upgraded seafood meals.
It's clear that agents need to be aware that every brand has different all-inclusive options and even the different hotels and resorts within a brand might have different variations.
Club Med has a different all-inclusive concept. It's known for including gourmet dining, 24-7 snacking and an open bar, says Camille Janse van Rensburg, Sales Manager of Club Med. While clients often fixate on what food and beverages are included in all-inclusive offerings, Janse van Rensburg points out that Club Med's all-inclusive includes resort experiences.
“Club Med, as a pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, takes great pride in offering an authentic all-inclusive experience that not only incorporates the food and beverage aspects of your client's stay but also combines it with a rich in-resort experience focusing on a variety of sports and activities, entertainment, nightlife and comprehensive kids clubs,” said Janse van Rensburg.
Matching clients to all-inclusives
Visagie and Janse van Rensburg recommend some essential questions to ask clients to guide them towards the all-inclusive option that suits their palate, budget, travel group and vision for their holiday
While you are on holiday, what are you inclined to drink and eat?
According to Visagie, the value for all-inclusive among South African travellers often stems from the drinks that are included, the multi-course lunches at a choice of venues, snacks, minibar items and more.
At Beachcomber, a library of up-to-date food and beverage lists is made available, should clients want to scrutinise the inclusions and work out which all-inclusive is the right choice for their holiday investment.
Additionally, different packages offer a different variety of inclusions, with more premium cuisines and beverages included in the higher tier packages.
If clients are not made aware of these nuances, they will be forced to spend out of pocket. This makes the following question essential.
What is your budget?
Janse van Rensburg explains that while most of the costs are already included in the package total, it is important to understand the inclusions of the all-inclusive package on offer – seen on the advertised package price.
While all-inclusive might look more expensive to clients, compared to half-board or self-catering offers, Janse van Rensburg explains that all the extra inclusions for food, drinks, activities and more can help the client avoid costs that will exceed their budget.
“Additionally, with the recent volatility of the rand, a guaranteed exchange rate on deposit payment, (such as the one offered by Club Med), is another really important aspect to consider, when meeting a client’s budget,” she said.
Who is traveling?
Be it solo travel, a couple, family travel or a group of friends travelling together, it is important to ensure that there is something on offer for everyone in the group, and that the value translates as such, said Janse van Rensburg.
For family holidays, Visagie pointed out that there are Kids Clubs and special activities to keep the children entertained, while the spa helps the parents and grandparents relax and bond. For a friends group, the dining options, evening events, and private villas will be ideal for bonding. According to Visagie, all-inclusive goes a long way to meeting the needs of everyone in the group.
Do you enjoy being active or are you more inclined to relax on the beach?
This will govern which resort works best for which client. For example, Club Med has different resorts that have specific inclusions, activities and entertainment. While some resorts are for soaking up the sun and relaxing or embarking on a romantic escape, others are better for skiing and watersport.
“Choosing an all-inclusive option is a no brainer for clients, and, if understood correctly, they may as well leave their wallets at home,” said Visagie.
