All Inclusive Booze

[austin7]

Just come into a bit of info.

It appears that the All Inclusives have been having a bit of bother with patrons drinking all day and then causing trouble.... How surprising is that?

So, they have asked the breweries and booze suppliers for special low alcohol booze.  In response the suppliers are now producing 1/2 strenght drinks, 2% beers, and 20% spirits especially for this market.

Now to add to the constant complaints about the food, punters are complaining that they can drink all day and not get drunk....

Maybe if this becomes common knowledge it will encourage some of these punters to get out of the complexes and into the bars and resteraunts in town, and thus help the local business.

[woe10]

Where did you hear that, austin7. Caleta´s dead at the moment. Hotels are full.

[Paddster]

quote:

woe10
Frequent Contributor



1500 Posts
 Posted - 08 May 2012 :  15:05:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where did you hear that, austin7. Caleta´s dead at the moment. Hotels are full.


Lost me woe ? Is that not a contradiction ? [?][?]
[][]

[uk_greg]

quote:Originally posted by Paddster

quote:

woe10
Lost me woe ? Is that not a contradiction ? [?][?]
[][]

I Might be wrong... but Im reading that Caleta is dead at the moment because the AI Holiday makers in Hotels seem to be happy with the current alcohol content...
I assume they are also content with the food too.

Or Caleta wouldnt be "Dead"


.... I think it what woe10 meant, but (as I said) I may be wrong

IMHO there is no comparison between Caleta Resturants and the AI on offer there....

[woe10]

Sorry, UK Greg is right. I should have made it clearer. The AI hotels are full, but the streets, and most bars and restaurants are dead. Comprende Paddster.

[Clem]

Hi All

I'm new to the Forum but have been a regular visitor to the Island/Caleta over the last 5 years. I usually stay in Villas so I have the choice of where I want to eat and drink, and I prefer it that way. I'm over for a week from Saturday (pleased to see the weather looks like warming up) but unfortunately I'm staying at one of these AI gaffs as that's where the people I'm going with have booked. But no doubt I will be escaping to enjoy some of the bars and restaurants Caleta has to offer. Can't think of anything sadder than going all that way to sit in your compound drinking watered down lager all day!!

[fifi]

Welcome to the Forum Clem.

Happy Holidays.[]

[Paddster]

Got ya woe,cheers........

[woe10]

Yeh, it´s sad to see, but what can you do. The Tourist Board are over the moon that they have Russians coming over. The Tourist Board judge tourism by the amount of people coming through the airport. Full stop.
East Europeans DO NOT spend money when they come here. As they are All Inclusive, they are told they don´t need to take money with them.

[mickboy]

Ive never read so much number two in all my life. Why dont people get off their high horse about AI? Its peoples choice where they stay and drink. I use AI hotels everywhere I go but like many other who do I go out most nights to eat and drink.
AI is not just about booze its also about the overall standard of the hotels and also in the majority you dont get drunks everynight of the week waking others up at 3, 4 or 5 in the morning.
Come on folks its a democratic world we live in and theres always someone worse off than yourself. Live and let live

[Cameron]

sorry but All inclusive IS all about the quantity of food and drink. No point to it otherwise, may as well go half or full board.

[austin7]

wow - intersting response to my wee bit of information, which for you out there came direct from a brewery rep who is supplying 2% lager to several AI complexes.

I am surprised to hear the the Caleta hotels are full, because the Corralejo ones are virtually empty.  There are a few Italians, some French, a few straggling Scandewegians, but very few Brits or Irish. No One is spending any money and the streets are deserted, the bars and restaurants deserted. My business is the quietest I've ever experienced in 5 years.

Every business owner I talk to, agrees that this is the worst May they heve ever known, and all inclusive deals are certainly a major contributing factor to this.

A study carried out in Turkey last year showed that only 10% of the money spent on all inclusive holidays ends up in the local community. This is something that concerns us all, if the tourists come here with no money, Corralejo and caleta will end up as ghost towns with nothing but closed businesses.

This could be a very bad year with a high attrition rate for businesses.

For some people All Inclusive makes sence, however the tour companies are trying to force all tourists into this, otherwise why do they charge more for self catering than for an AI package.  The Hotels don't want it, their staff don't want it, the local community certainly don't - it is time the tourist authorities here realised that they have to take action to restrict this growth before it is too late.  It is alrady being done in parts of Grand Canary, Lanzarote and mainland Spain.

[gusangus]

taken from News in the Sun Tenerife


All Inclusive Numbers Up

.

May 072012
.


Thirty per cent of visitors to the islands in the first quarter were on all inclusive deals, an increase of 5.4 per cent on the same period last year.

According to the latest government figures, the popularity of the all inclusive holiday varies by nationality, so that while more than 40 per cent of German visitors opted for it, only 16.2 per cent of Spanish visitors took the option.

The latest survey also reveals that 70 per cent of all tourists are repeat visitors to the islands, with 81 per cent of British visitors having been before.
http://www.newsinthesun.com

[djk99]

"So, they have asked the breweries and booze suppliers for special low alcohol booze. In response the suppliers are now producing 1/2 strenght drinks, 2% beers, and 20% spirits especially for this market."
Please don't let Cameron and the UK 'Moral majority' get wind of this one......pleasssssee ;-(

[pescatore]

quote:Originally posted by mickboy

Ive never read so much number two in all my life. Why dont people get off their high horse about AI? Its peoples choice where they stay and drink. I use AI hotels everywhere I go but like many other who do I go out most nights to eat and drink.
AI is not just about booze its also about the overall standard of the hotels and also in the majority you dont get drunks everynight of the week waking others up at 3, 4 or 5 in the morning.
Come on folks its a democratic world we live in and theres always someone worse off than yourself. Live and let live

Well said! I stayed in an AI during my last visit to Caleta, I couldn't fault it, perhaps if the local restaurants offered better value for money AI's wouldn't be so popular.

And the Hotel I stayed in was full of local staff, I have no guilt about not giving to the local economy, because I did , I helped pay all the staff wages that week............Guess where I'll be staying next Caleta visit [8D]  and I won't spend all my time slurping lager and sitting around the pool, not all AI guests do that

[kevin2003]

Do you know..there is a street in Dublin called Georges Street.It's not a long street.Just about 300 meters,but there are more good restaurants and bars on that street then there is in the whole of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote put together.

People are flocking to AI because they are sick of the grotty karaoke/sports bars with nine televisions blaring at full volume through the day.They are sick of the "factory" restaurants that churn out poo every night knowing no-one will complain and no-one will return.They are sick of paying high prices for low standards.They want value and they are voting with their feet and their wallets.

AI is the future of tourism on these islands...but don't take my word for it.Ask Thompsons.

[Brightspark]

quote:Originally posted by kevin2003

Do you know..there is a street in Dublin called Georges Street.It's not a long street.Just about 300 meters,but there are more good restaurants and bars on that street then there is in the whole of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote put together.

People are flocking to AI because they are sick of the grotty karaoke/sports bars with nine televisions blaring at full volume through the day.They are sick of the "factory" restaurants that churn out poo every night knowing no-one will complain and no-one will return.They are sick of paying high prices for low standards.They want value and they are voting with their feet and their wallets.

AI is the future of tourism on these islands...but don't take my word for it.Ask Thompsons.

[Cameron]

If they're watering down alcoholic drinks i can't see A/I being the future of holidays on the island. Punters drinking 5 pints a night and the missus her cocktails and both still going to bed stone cold sober every night will soon have them clammering for a holiday down the local bars and eateries.Even dropping the prices won't save it once tourists get wind of that one.

[Elite of the forum]

Originally posted by kevin2003

Do you know..there is a street in Dublin called Georges Street.It's not a long street.Just about 300 meters,but there are more good restaurants and bars on that street then there is in the whole of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote put together.

are you related to one of these kevin2003?



i take it you have never been to La scapella or dovela or temple bar in corrie

[austin7]

I am surprised that Caleta hotels are full, as here in Corralejo several are closed for annual renovations or because they have no bookings. The ones that are open are telling me they are only 30 - 40% occupied. So between these and the ones that are closed it probably works out that Corralejo is only at about 20 -25% occupancy.  Most businesses I talk to are 30 - 40% down on last year (mine too), but the really worrying figures are that these business are also considerably down on May 2009, which for most was their worst month ever.

Some of the All Inclusive are possibly very good, but the majority....  I get a lot of All Inclusives into my office, and the biggest complaints - "the food is number two" - "the service is terrible" (Hotels have cut back on staff to save money as they don't make anything from the AI clients)

It is also significant that I have had emails from regular returners desperately trying to find private holiday lets, and they are finding it virtually impossible - this is the curse of the clasmpdown on private lettings...

The authorities don't seem to want the towns to survive - they want all tourists in All Inclusive hotels period.. This is no way to operate tourist resorts.

[woe10]

Quote Kevin2003:
"People are flocking to AI because they are sick of the grotty karaoke/sports bars with nine televisions blaring at full volume through the day.They are sick of the "factory" restaurants that churn out poo every night knowing no-one will complain and no-one will return".

The problem is that 75% of Brits have brains like Sheep, and go where they´re told to by Travel Agents. You´ve all heard the stock Travel Agents phrase, "I recommend that hotel, I´ve stayed there myself", and they fall for it.
Tour companies make more money with AI, as the SLOP they serve as food, and the CHEAP BOOZE they serve in PLASTIC CUPS costs almost nothing. The "Sheep Brains" are paying for it in their holiday, when they think it´s "FREE".
A lot of AI clients won´t be returning because of this. Even Barcelo in Caleta are having a re-think due to the DRUNKEN DROGS they have been attracting, causing their normally high standards to fall dramatically.
There ARE nice Bars in Caleta that DONT have 9 TVs blasting out all day, and NO KARAOKE, if you just look for them, and not follow the "Sheep".

[kevin2003]

quote:Originally posted by austin7

The authorities don't seem to want the towns to survive - they want all tourists in All Inclusive hotels period.. This is no way to operate tourist resorts.

Okay...let's leave aside for a moment the fact that this is a sovereign Spanish island and that their policy for the development of tourism on these islands is solely a matter for them...

....AI is the perfect model for the Authorities here.It creates employment both directly and,through suppliers,indirectly.It generates tax streams from capital,labour,social insurance and value added taxes.But perhaps most importantly...these businesses tend to re-invest in themselves.They have one eye on tomorrow.A crucial element in the success in any business.

Now,if we look at the self catering sector from the same perspective we are bound to ask how many property owners who holiday let pay taxes on their rental income? How many bars and restaurants employ staff "on their books"? And how many of these businesses are compliant with hygiene and urbanization regulations? Not many I fear.

We are moving from the free-for-all local economy that has existed for 25 years,to a much more regulated one.The Spanish economy is in deep trouble and the Clarion call has gone out from Madrid......"more taxes now".And for the millions of tourists coming from Northern Europe this year.....well...they just want value for money.They are going AI.

[kevin2003]

quote:Originally posted by woe10

Even Barcelo in Caleta are having a re-think due to the DRUNKEN DROGS they have been attracting, causing their normally high standards to fall dramatically.

TripAdvisor currently ranks the Barcelo in Caleta at No1.

http://tinyurl.com/cm5tqqe

[kevin2003]

Thanks for that Brightspark.

It's a bit like watching a Tsunami....but in slow motion....and from a safe distance.[][]

[Cameron]

Lets not forget a hotel does not have to be All Inclusive to create employment directly and also through suppliers. A non A/I hotel will also generate tax streams from capital, labour,social insurance and VAT as they have always done long before A/I was just a twinkle in some entrepreaurs eye.Theres no doubt the Spanish tax system needs tightening up if they are to gain maximum revenue, but proper policing and regulation in the private apartment/ villa sector could bring them in more than they ever dreamed if it were done correctly.I would also say in contradiction that the vast majority of businesses and property owners are playing it legally,(or thought they were) and bookings for self catering villas and apartments are as strong this year as they've ever been.

[Brightspark]

quote:Originally posted by kevin2003

Thanks for that Brightspark.

It's a bit like watching a Tsunami....but in slow motion....and from a safe distance.[][]

Bahhaaahaa good one

just to contribute (or not), I have my opinions on this but done it loads of times in the past here and really can't be bothered to get into it now [:p]

[fifi]

This argument about A1 comes up all the time. People have a choice. If they want A1 as a package deal it is available. If they dont want A1 they can book their flights and accommodation separately on the Internet.

[kevin2003]

quote:Originally posted by Cameron

Lets not forget a hotel does not have to be All Inclusive to create employment directly and also through suppliers. A non A/I hotel will also generate tax streams from capital, labour,social insurance and VAT as they have always done long before A/I was just a twinkle in some entrepreaurs eye.

100% Agreed.But AI brings with it a new and crucial element.Added Value.No business will resist the opportunity to get a greater return on an existing asset base.

I don't know about this years bookings because I have yet to find a reliable source for those numbers but I can tell you that after a flat start to the year AENA passenger numbers to Fuerte are down 9.1% in March and 16.6% down in April.The other islands aren't much better.

http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/estadisticas/es

[Cameron]

can only go by my own experience and this year is no better or worse than the last four or five.I know others who say the same.

[fifi]

Government statistics here....http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/

http://www2.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/dw/indicadores/coyunturaeconomica/lstIndicadores.jsp?codAplicacion=32