The “all‐inclusive” concept in the Caribbean

Abstract

Seeks to review the all‐inclusive concept in the context of the Caribbean. The origin of all‐inclusives in the world and the Caribbean is analysed. The concept was first introduced in holiday camps in Britain during the 1930s. Club Med is credited for popularizing the concept globally in the 1950s. However, the credit of introducing a luxury version of the all‐inclusive concept goes to a Jamaican hotelier and co‐author of this article. In defining the concept of all‐inclusives, one cannot ignore the significant role Jamaica has played. Currently, Jamaica has 17 of the best 100 all‐inclusive resorts in the world. Even though all‐inclusives are occasionally criticized, they are seen as a necessary evil. Concludes by predicting that all‐inclusives are here to stay in the Caribbean and will play a major role in tourism for the foreseeable future.