GOING all-inclusive is CHEAPER than bed and breakfast in three popular holiday destinations, according to a new study.
Analysis of the average cost of 3H holiday prices from the beginning of June this year to the end of August found bottomless food and drink deals were actually cheaper in Malta, Egypt and Marrakech in Morocco.
The new data-crunching from holiday comparison site Travel- Supermarket found the average seven-night all-inclusive holiday in Marrakech works out at £348pp — a saving of 26 per cent compared to the £479pp for B&B.
That means holidaymakers opting for the convenience of buffet dining end up paying £131 less overall while getting their meals and drinks thrown in for free.
Malta served up the next best savings, with a week eating and drinking all you want averaging £518pp compared with £565 for just your breakfast.
Egypt came in third, with non-stop catering coming in at £605pp, £9 cheaper than B&B.
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The research also revealed that even if unlimited food and drink is more expensive than B&B, when you look at how much the upgrade costs, it’s little more than a couple of rounds of drinks.
The report found a week on the Thai island of Phuket costs just £15pp extra to unlock unlimited food and drink.
In Bodrum, Turkey, all-inclusive breaks were just £7 more for the week, Sri Lanka only £51, and Turkey’s Antalya area just £20 extra. Each adds about three per cent to the cost of the holiday.
But there are some destinations where it will still cost you a lot more for the convenience of non-stop food and drink.
Sardinia tops the list of those where it will cost you the most, averaging £1,873pp compared to £818 for a week on B&B.
Florida also fared worse for all-inclusive, adding £1,300 to the average £1,104 B&B cost.
Cities are also not the best places for all-inclusive bargains. Athens breaks were, on average, £610 for B&B compared to £1,079 for all your food and drink, a 77 per cent increase.
While in Abu Dhabi, an all- inclusive holiday would set you back £818 more than the average B&B price of £1,148.
TravelSupermarket’s Chris Webber said: “Most people assume all-inclusive is always the pricier option, but in a handful of destinations it simply isn’t.
“At 3H level, where hotels are competing hard to fill rooms, all-inclusive is often the package they push hardest and the price reflects that.
“In Marrakech you’re paying less for a week of everything included than you would for a week of breakfast alone.
“The lesson for holidaymakers is to run both searches before booking rather than ruling all- inclusive out on price.”