Gen Z Needs to Get All-Inclusive-Pilled
My generation sees travel as an opportunity to fully engage in other cultures and communities, creating authentic experiences and lasting memories. But they're sleeping on all-inclusive resorts and poolside drinks.
Much of my generation prefers “traveling” over “vacationing.” Indeed, reports have indicated that Gen Z considers relaxing vacations to be “overrated,” or that they would prefer to spend a travel day making memories through new, unique experiences rather than sitting by a pool. Similar studies, including one conducted by Thrillist, have found that we spend a significant amount of our discretionary income accordingly, and that we’re moreover primarily interested in putting our money towards “authenticity,” be it shopping at small local businesses on vacation or immersing ourselves in the local way of life. And all of that is great, and we shouldn’t give it up.
But let’s be honest: We need a break.
Most of the trips I’ve taken have been in the interest of creating those authentic new experiences. In April, I did a three day hike at an elevation of 15,000 feet on Peru’s Lares Trek followed by a visit to Lima. My travels are usually multi-city adventures with friends punctuated by very little sleep and step counts in the tens of thousands per day. That is, until last month, when I experienced the most truly relaxing vacation I’ve had as an adult. And after my vacation—a stay at a resort in Cancun—I’ve become an evangelist for the all-inclusive resort vacation. And my generation should follow suit.
Among my friend group, there are those who would consider an all-inclusive vacation to be a faux pas. And that’s not unique to my judgemental friends. “We find that many Gen Z and Millennial travelers are looking for more than just a packaged experience,” says Duncan Greenfield-Turk, founder of bespoke travel agency Global Travel Moments. “They are increasingly drawn to travel that allows them to deeply connect with the local culture, explore off-the-beaten-path locations, and create unique, personal experiences that an all-inclusive might not always provide.”
All-inclusives have a reputation among some for being sterile, boring, and having bad food. Plus, you’re confined to one place. And surely, any of that can be true. But for the latter issue, I’d argue that barely leaving the property is part of the appeal.
For three nights, the most pressing questions I had to address were which pool I felt like swimming in and whether I wanted a mango margarita or a tamarind one. Besides dinner reservations at the on-site restaurants (we chose to eat at the Mexican, Italian, and Japanese spots) and a hydrotherapy session at the spa (divine), my schedule was dictated purely by whim.
One critical element to my relaxation was the opportunity to leave my phone in the room for much of the vacation. Of course, I hypothetically could do this anywhere, but not without some hangups. What if I needed directions? Apple Pay? Google Translate? Here, I had none of those concerns. And as for the usual accusations of it being boring or serving bad food? There wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t entertained or full of good food. No, I did not experience any local culture, which I’d love to do on a future trip and probably could have if I’d tried to journey out. For this particular vacation, though, my only intention was to chill the hell out.
To be clear, all-inclusives are working hard to shirk negative associations and reel in a younger crowd by highlighting their strengths and changes with the times. Sandals, for example, one of the most famed brands in the genre, has begun offering off-site dining options as part of their packages at locations like Sandals Royal Curaçao so that guests can feel more immersed in local culture. Others are marketing directly toward the demographic, like Hyatt’s new Hyatt Vivid brand, which is geared toward a “younger and more price-conscious” group. Price-consciousness is an important point here: While all-inclusive prices vary dramatically—anywhere from $150 per night for two people to well over $1000—once you’ve set your budget and booked the trip, there’s little else you’ll need to pay for.
And, it seems, Gen Z is catching on. According to a representative of Namale Resort and Spa, as Gen Z starts settling down and getting married, more are opting for all-inclusive stays for their honeymoons. “They value the ability to experience the resorts' many inclusive offerings without the worry of added costs, allowing them to immerse themselves in the culture, cuisine and their beloved's company,” says co-General Manager Bill Keefe.
As Gen Z gets older, most of us are (hopefully!) beginning to make more money, too. This is another significant factor that resorts are banking on: as our budgets expand, we’re able to afford relaxing vacations in addition to the more experiential ones. Alejandro Rodriguez Del Peon, director of marketing and PR for Blue Diamond Resorts, which owns brands like Royalton and Planet Hollywood resorts, says all-inclusive bookings from Gen Z have increased over the last few years, due in part to different efforts their resorts have undertaken to market to this audience, particularly as all-inclusives expand into more “off-the-beaten-path” locations—at least, compared to Cancun—like Antigua and Grenada.
All this is to say, there are all-inclusives for nearly every travel type. If you want a more culture-focused experience, there are resorts that cater to it. You want to party? There are resorts with nightclubs, pool-side foam parties, and rotating DJs. Need to pack your days with activities? Just about every resort has a full calendar of things to do on the property, from live music to yoga classes to even scuba diving. There are resorts for families with young children, resorts for adults only, resorts where tops are optional, tiny boutique resorts, resorts so big it’s impossible for one person to explore it all, resorts that prioritize wellness, and just about everything in between. In other words, whatever your gripe may be about all-inclusives, you can probably find one that fits your style.
My recent stay at the Hilton Mar Caribe Cancun wasn’t necessarily targeted toward my age range, which I almost preferred. A quieter nightlife scene meant I was asleep by 10 pm, ready to hit the breakfast buffet (my personal favorite part of the resort, honestly) bright and early before a day of laying in the sun. It was my first time staying at an all-inclusive—something I’d been considering for years, but had never managed to find the time for. Bigger group trips with friends, traveling for work, and visiting family had all taken precedent. These aren’t memories I’d pass up on, but they were not exactly rejuvenating. For once, I was able to truly unplug and do nothing.
This isn’t to say it will be the only way I travel from now on. Rather, I’m hoping it’ll be one of many different types of trips I periodically take. The lengthy, sleep-when-I’m-dead expeditions where I only dine at local restaurants and see all the major sites won’t be coming to an end. But sometimes, when I’m deeply in need of a break, I’m going to book another package, shut my brain off, and drink unlimited margaritas in the sun until someone tells me it’s time for my already-paid-for dinner.