The All-Inclusive - Page 3

rubio · #21 04-29-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkohn
Marketing.
That's part of the problem. The Mom and Pop's don't have the budget to provide slick brochures to all the travel agents in the world.
That's why this site is so important. You can get info on AIs and you can find out about the local economy too.
mk

This is very true. When a friend of mine wanted to take a vacation in the D.R., he naturally went to a travel agent. The woman only offered packages in the Puerto Plata area. Absolutely no variety at all. The "Mom and Pop" places never get as much promotion and publicity as the big places. This happens everywhere.

I think sometimes this is not so bad, the smaller places remain quaint and unknown to the vast majority of tourists.

My two cents.
Rubio

Rachael · #22 04-29-2003, 03:08 PM

Just my two cents on all of the above.

I am not a wealthy individual and consider myself to be an average tourist. I have visited the D.R on four seperate occasions and have always stayed at the AI's. My reasoning behind this is as follows: (And you may not agree). When I book and pay for my trip 6 months before I leave, I know that if something drastic happens in my life I will still be able to take my vacation even if I don't have a dollar in my pocket. I would rather spend a little extra in advance for the security of my vacation than to have to miss the trip that I look forward to all year long. I would be crushed if I were unable to visit.

With that said, and luckily it has never happened, I have never been to an AI and not ventured out to enjoy the country and its people. For me it is not about the money but the importance of the trip. As far as safety, I have never ever second guessed my abilities to get myself in and around areas safely. If you don't have common sence, that is your problem, not the AI's or the "tour operators" that you allow to tell you it is not safe.

Research, research, research is all I can say to that. people need to take an extra step to educate themselves. Your trip is what you make it, not what someone provides to you.

A firend recently returned from a 5 star AI and told me a story of a German tourist that was screaming at the hotel manager that they wanted $$$ back because they did not eat dinner at the resort that evening. I was completly shocked. When I am away, even on AI, I prefer not to eat dinner at the resort. I can not believe that anyone would have the nerve to make such demands. More amazingly, my friend reported that they were each given $8.00 to compensate them for missing the meal. Craziness.

I'm not making excuses or defending the fact that I like to travel AI, I just thought that I may be able to offer additional insight as to why some prefer the AI experience.

Criss Colon · #23 04-29-2003, 04:19 PM

We pay here in Santo Domingo.Kids stay free! I can eat more than we pay per day! Kids love the pools,beaches,buffets,and the shows!CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

JanH · #24 04-29-2003, 05:22 PM

Want to put my 2 cents in. My husband and I have always loved AIs. The first time to the DR, was NOT for sightseeing or culture enrichment. It was strictly the island we chose that had the best golf course in the best AI resort in the Caribbean. In other words, we were looking for golf in a plush resort - didn't matter what island.

Due to high stress jobs, we look forward to the pampering; also, not fooling with money, and not worrying about a rental car. AIs are also a good value - although Casa de Campo is not cheap. We came down the second time because we loved the golf, weather, clear water, and tropical vegetation of the DR - not that other islands don't have the same - but we like the familiar. We also thought we might want to buy a vacation home on this island, and first looked at villas within the AI resort.

During our second stay in the AI, we hired a driver to take us "out in the dangerous world". It was nothing we expected - garbage, poverty, horrible roads - but the people we met along the way - changed everything. We have since bought a vacation house near Sosua and even though it is in a gated community, we spend many hours each day "outside" - thirsty for knowledge of the special culture of this land and its people.

So - there can be two sides to the story. Tourists initially needing and wanting the cocoon of an AI - with an open mind to come back and see the sights.

Escott · #25 04-29-2003, 10:21 PM

AI's...

I have been to Club Med in Martinique and others in Cancun. First time on my own went to a Club Med for the experience. 2nd time with my wife and daughter kicking and fighting to not go but my wife insisted because she wanted a baby sitter in the Camp of the AI. Since I have been traveling alone or with a woman sans kid I wouldnt be caught dead in one.

I got bumped on Friday and was put up in Play Dorada at the FLamenco by AA. I argued because they put me up at Piergorgio in Sosua last year 2 nights and wanted to stay there again although the one at Puerta Plata Villages in Playa Dorada the year before wasn't bad for half a day.

What I disliked the most about it was having smelly stinkin French people near me. What a bunch of rude assholes. After that it wasn't so bad since I was already tired when I got there and went to sleep early. Got in a taxi at 1pm so it wasn't as bad as having to stay a whole day and night.

Most of the people that I met at the Ai didn't even leave the property. Guess it is what you want to make out of your vacation.
I guess it is hard to spring for a couple of bucks for a dinner out when you have committed to eating the crap that they serve at the Ai's and don't feel like paying twice. Same for the drinks. At least I got to drink my Banana Mamas with Barcelo instead of whateverelse was the house brand because I knew enough to ask.

Oh well, different strokes for different folks.

RandyE · #26 04-29-2003, 11:04 PM

AI's definately have their place. Alot of people who bust balls 6 days a week at high stress jobs and can only get away for 6 or 7 days a year want a vacation where they can just relax, and an Ai certainly fills the prescription. One price, eat and drink whatever you want and use whatever amenities you choose. It was my 3rd trip before I had any desire to leave the resort area. If DR were to eliminate the "disease" of AI's tourism would certainly take a HUGE hit. This isn't the only country to offer them. The more times a tourist visits one place, the more likely they are to venture out and see what a great place it really is, get into the culture, and make it more than just a vacation on the beach.

BushBaby · #27 04-30-2003, 02:01 AM

Randy - Rubia says HI! She is keeping me well served until YOU come down again - Ai OR self catering!!!
Escott - Like Randy, you are welcome down here anytime!!

A.I. or self catering the DR will welcome you. Just keep bringing your money & if possible, spend a bit of it with the guys who need it most - the shop-keepers & restauranteurs of the towns near the resort. Thanks in anticipation of your US dollars - Grahame.

GypsyGRL · #28 04-30-2003, 09:47 AM

Just a quick note,
I work in the hospitality ind. in Canada and have for the last 10 yrs. Does the DR Gov't have a tourism minister? In Canada we have gov't jobs that are to promote your area for tourism. These ppl travel to different shows, venues etc, promoting our local area to ppl from different countries. This is how the little guy remains commpetitive with the big chains. Also it gives info on what unique holidays tourists can have. I live in Northern Manitoba, so we promote a lot of fishing, camping, eco tours etc for our area. Is this something that the mom & pop business could get together to promote as a group?? Pooled Resources are the way to go when you are a little fish running with the / against the big fish. Only a thought.

sunnyvillas · #29 04-30-2003, 11:16 AM

Well, this is quite a debate:-)))))

To go AI or go toa self catering Holidays....I would say that many people have made vary valid points here and I would have to agree with all of them bbeing in the tourist industry since 1986.

I try to book as little of AI as possible, as I try to get more business to the "MOM & POP" homes, as you are right , they can't affort to print glossy brochures, but they are the heart and the soul of the country. And unfortunately, the AI do take over the islands, as I have seen it happen in Jamaica for years and the Dominican Republic.

Yes, GipsyGRL , DR Gov't has a tourism minister:-))))))) and I have met him in Denmark during the travel show. He really didn't do much to promote the tourism, just walked around with his big cigars and smiled politely . When I had asked questions, regarding the small hotels and villas, he just smiled and walked away and passed me on the the holiday rep. there.

All in all , I think, that the best way to go on a vacation is to decide what you and yours really want out of the holiday and make plans from there. Everyone has a budget and a sence of so called reality of the other place.

Forbeca · #30 04-30-2003, 12:20 PM

Sometimes when I travel to a part of the country that I am not too familiar w/ and have no family or acquantances there, I prefer to book an AI. This saves us the trouble of looking for a good restaurant in the area, once we get to know our surroundings we venture out to explore the shops, etc. In the end, everyone is happy, we don't always stay at the AI, but at least we have that reservation to fall back on if we don't like what that particular area is offering.