All-inclusive resorts are evolving beyond traditional buffets and beach lounging to offer guests more immersive local experiences, a trend that has gained momentum since 2022 and continues into 2025. Post-pandemic travellers increasingly seek both convenience and authentic connections with their destinations.
Gregor Nassief, owner of Dominica's Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort, launched an 'island inclusive' package in January 2022. It includes daily land or sea excursions such as hikes to Trafalgar Falls or visits to Roseau Market, alongside full board and transfers. The package costs $456 per person per night, compared to a room-only rate of $302, and now accounts for 30% of the hotel's all-inclusive bookings.
Similarly, Nay Palad Hideaway on Siargao in the Philippines offers rates from $900 per person per night, covering made-to-order meals, massages, and off-property activities like surfing and paddleboarding. Manila-based lawyer Kathrina Sadsad-Tamesis, who stayed there in 2024, praised the hassle-free experience: 'You don't need to check prices once you're there.'
Travel advisor A'Rielle Thomas of Fora Travel notes that 50% of her all-inclusive clients now seek excursions beyond the resort. 'They want to interact with locals and with the destination,' she says. Sandals Royal Curaçao introduced an Island Inclusive dining programme in 2022, offering guests dinner at local restaurants with transfers and a $250 credit.
This shift reflects a broader demand for seamless travel that combines relaxation with meaningful exploration, encouraging resorts to rethink their value proposition for a new generation of travellers.
