New research from the travel experts at Which? Travel has found that British holidaymakers could save £1,000 opting for an all-inclusive over a DIY holiday. The team looked at the price of holidays in six European and four long-haul destinations for a family of four in August.

According to the team’s research, an all-inclusive holiday in a three star hotel in early August was cheaper in five of six of the European destinations checked.

The biggest difference was in Majorca in Spain where an all-inclusive deal was £276 cheaper than a DIY holiday, making savings of £1,100 for a family of four.

The exception was the Portuguese Algarve where a DIY holiday was £60 cheaper than an all-inclusive deal.

This is because flights to the Algarve are reasonably priced and food and drink is also cheaper in the Portuguese hotspot.

When it came to long-haul destinations, the results were slightly different with DIY holidays to Phuket in Thailand and Mauritius cheaper than all-inclusive packages.

However, all-inclusive holidays were cheaper in both Cancun and Barbados as Barbados was the most expensive place to eat out.

A DIY holiday to Barbados cost around £2,210 per person while an all-inclusive at a four stay hotel came in at £2,028.

Phuket was the cheapest long-haul destination surveyed, coming in at £1,248 per person for a DIY break.

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Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Our research has found that in most cases, going all-inclusive is likely to work out much better value than paying for meals and drinks as you go this summer, with families able to save significant sums on a seven-day break.

“In Majorca for example, a family of four could save over £1,000 by opting for an all-inclusive stay.

“Regardless of whether you choose to go all inclusive or would rather make your own arrangements, you can still take advantage of the added protections a package trip carries.

“By booking your accommodation and flight at the same time and with the same company, your holiday will enjoy the same protections as an inclusive package deal, meaning your travel firm is responsible for putting things right should there be any issues with your trip.”

The cheapest all-inclusive destinations

Britons looking for a last-minute all-inclusive holiday will want to check out Spain’s Costa Barcelona according to Which? Travel’s research.

The gorgeous stretch of coastline sits just north of Barcelona and was the cheapest spot for an all-inclusive early August holiday.

Spain’s Costa Dorada, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands and the Greek island of Zakynthos were also fairly cheap options for peak season.

However, travellers heading to Zakynthos won’t be able to see the island’s famous shipwreck beach this year as it’s likely to be closed for the whole of summer.

What does an all-inclusive holiday include?

The price of an all-inclusive holiday usually includes flights, accommodation, three buffet meals a day, snacks and local drinks.

Entertainment, kids clubs, hotel transfers and some activities are sometimes thrown in with the deal.

Package holidays also offer British tourists more legal protection if something goes wrong as the company will have to resolve the issue. Tourists are also protected if the company goes out of business.

Britons should check the terms and conditions of their package before booking as there may be a limit on alcoholic drinks.

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