As travel agents, we get a lot of questions about what we do to help our clients plan their vacations, and one that we get often is - do you really need a travel agent to book an all-inclusive resort? After all, everything is included, right? Why would you need help with anything else?
The truth is that there are a LOT of options out there for all-inclusive resorts, and when you go online to look for options for your vacation, you will see a lot of resorts that look beautiful and sound great - because they are! There are lots of beautiful resorts out there that offer great service, great food, and great views. But, there's actually more to choosing a resort.
Several of our agents toured 14 different resorts in Jamaica a few weeks ago, and all of them were beautiful and had great service - but, each one was still totally different. Each resort had its own personality and vibe, and as we toured each resort we found that each one would be perfect for different people - and not so perfect for others.
Each person vacations differently, and something that vacationers often seem to forget when looking for a great vacation value is that a trip is only a great value if it's the right vacation for YOU. All of the resorts we toured have pretty pictures on their website and offer a great experience, but they were not the same and would not offer the same value to all guests.
For instance, some resorts offered a much more quiet, laid-back atmosphere - which is great, if that's what you want. If you book a resort like this expecting lots of energy and activities, then you're going to be disappointed. This is where we come in - as travel agents, we spend our own time and often our own money to visit and experience these resorts in person so that we know the personality and offerings of each resort. This way, you don't have to navigate an endless parade of online resort listings that seem the same - we can point you to the resort that's right for you, because we know what these resorts are actually like. Whether you're looking for a party atmosphere, quiet relaxation by the beach, or a little bit of both, we're here to help.
So, to answer the initial question, do you need a travel agent to book an all-inclusive resort? Only if you want to book the right one.