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BUSINESS Friday 20 May 2022
2022 is the year of all-inclusive travel, and here’s why

By SALLY FRENCH ico. Guests stay in wind-
of NerdWallet proof, heated tents with en
For some travelers, all-in- suite bathrooms, and head
clusive hotels conjure up out on whale-watching
images of flavorless food excursions during the day.
served under a heat lamp The four-day experience
in lush and vibrant destina- costs about $5,000 for two
tions where guests never guests and includes a char-
actually leave the resort ter flight to the lagoon.
grounds. Lower-tier liquor REWRITING THE ALL-INCLU-
flows freely (the good stuff SIVE PLAYBOOK
will cost you more), as the This year has provided trav-
few overindulgers put a elers with a different type
damper on the trip. of all-inclusive experience
That image is changing, as when Walt Disney World
hotel companies expand Resort opened Star Wars:
their offerings, while re- Galactic Starcruiser. In its
defining what all-inclusive simplest form, it’s Disney’s
means. “Star Wars” hotel, but it’s
HOTELS ARE GROW- a lot more than that. “The
ING THEIR ALL-INCLUSIVE Galactic Starcruiser experi-
BRANDS In this Sept. 5, 2018, file photo guests stand at the front desk at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel ence is part dinner mystery
Many hotel companies are in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood in Seattle. theater, part high-produc-
rapidly adding all-inclusive Associated Press tion show, part escape
resorts to their portfolio. news, Marriott had also exceptional amenities,” ter bungalows. room, part video role-play-
Hyatt’s acquisition of Apple expanded its all-inclusive says AMResorts senior vice And while the rooms are ing game, part cruise, and
Leisure Group in Novem- footprint by adding 20 president Miguel Oliveira. luxurious, increasingly more part resort stay all rolled
ber 2021 made it one of properties under a new “There are no check-in or all-inclusive resorts pro- into one,” says Beci Mahn-
the largest owners of luxury brand dubbed “All-Inclu- check-out times, unlimited mote getting outside the ken, founder and CEO of
all-inclusive resorts in the sive by Marriott Bonvoy.” top-shelf spirits and 24-hour resort area. Twin Farms in travel agency MEI-Travel.
world. LEANING TOWARD LUXURY concierge.” Vermont offers ski equip- The cost starts between
That acquisition included BOTH ON AND OFF-PROP- “Leisure demand has led ment and fat-tire bikes for $1,500 and $2,400 per per-
the luxury-focused AMR ERTY the recovery, and we are use on its private slopes. son for two nights and valet
Collection, which has With these new all-inclusive well-positioned to continue A partnership with Volvo parking.
beachfront properties in offerings, hotels are em- growing our lead in resort allows guests to explore It includes activities such
Mexico and Central Amer- phasizing luxury. At Hyatt’s destinations, including in Vermont’s countryside by as lightsaber training, and
ica. That means there are Zoetry Montego Bay Ja- the high growth all-inclu- taking a drive in vehicles tickets to the theme park. It
now more than 100 new re- maica, all accommoda- sive space,” he said. For made available by the also includes themed food
sorts for visitors (and where tions include an in-house example, among Marriott’s resort. Nightly rates some- like bantha dumplings, a
World of Hyatt members concierge. Some have pri- recent additions is the Roy- times run close to $6,000. beef-based dish supposed-
can use their points), up vate swim-out pools. alton Antigua, where visi- Baja Expeditions offers a ly made from “bantha,” a
from about a dozen. “The Zoetry Wellness & Spa tors can stay in Antigua’s glamping experience at fictional “Star Wars” mam-
Just weeks before Hyatt’s Resorts brand is all about only glass-floored, overwa- San Ignacio Lagoon in Mex- malian beast. q

Spirit tells shareholders to reject hostile bid from JetBlue

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN attempting to buy a com- mountable,” CEO Edward tiny. low-cost carrier to vote
AP Business Writer petitor and take seats out Christie told CNBC. “Both deals are subject down a tie-up with Colo-
Spirit Airlines is advising of the market and raise JetBlue responded Thurs- to regulatory review, and rado’s Frontier Group Hold-
shareholders to reject a fares and that’s going to day, saying that Spirit’s both deals have a similar ings Inc. The offer Monday
tender offer for shares from be a big issue and one that potential deal with Frontier risk profile,” the company from JetBlue was for $30
JetBlue three days after it our board viewed as insur- also faces regulatory scru- said in a statement. “Spirit per share in cash, or more
went hostile in its bid to cre- shareholders recognize than $3.2 billion, but said its
ate what would be the na- that and are showing great April 5 offer of $33 per share
tion’s fifth largest airline. interest in hearing more is still available if Spirit enters
Spirit repeated Thursday about our superior offer negotiations.
that any attempt to merge and the regulatory com- Spirit’s board rejected Jet-
with the New York car- mitments and protections Blue’s original $3.6 billion
rier would face substantial we have made, including bid on May 2.
regulatory hurdles, largely a reverse break-up fee.” Shareholders of Spirit,
because of JetBlue’s alli- JetBlue offered to buy Spirit based in Miramar, Florida,
ance with American Air- Airlines after a proposed are scheduled to vote June
lines in the Northeast. The acquisition of that carrier 10 on the cash-and-stock
Justice Department is suing by Frontier Airlines, a deal offer from Frontier, worth
to block that deal. that Spirit is backing de- about $2.9 billion when an-
JetBlue is in “the middle spite a lower offering price. nounced in February.
of a merger with Ameri- On Monday JetBlue Shares of Spirit fell 2.6% be-
can Airlines, one of the big A line of Spirit Airlines jets sit on the tarmac at the Orlando launched a hostile take- fore the market open, while
three that they purport to International Airport on May 20, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. over bid for Spirit, directly shares of JetBlue declined
compete with, and then Associated Press asking shareholders of the slightly.q