How all-inclusive holidays could cost you MORE: Tourists fork out over £200 at local restaurants and bars... because they get bored of resort food

• A study found two-thirds of families spend £233 extra outside the resort
• Nearly a third of parents intend to do an all-inclusive break this summer
• Many people are misled by which drinks and brands are included  

By Becky Pemberton For Mailonline

Published: 08:58 EST, 3 July 2015 | Updated: 09:34 EST, 3 July 2015

Bargain hunters hoping to save money by going on an all-inclusive holiday in Europe could find themselves paying hundreds more than the cost of their package, new research shows. 

A study found that two-thirds of families on all-inclusive holidays get bored of food available in their hotel and spend £233 extra, on average, for meals and drinks in local restaurants and bars.

Depending where they visit, holiday goers could end up forking out an extra 10 to 15 per cent on top of their package price.

 In a Post Office Travel Money report, they found that two-thirds of families on all-inclusive holidays paid £233 on average extra for meals and drinks in local restaurants and bars on their last trip (stock image)

Nearly a third of parents told the Post Office, which carried out the study, that they intend to take an all-inclusive break this summer, but with almost seven out of ten parents claiming they eat out at local resort restaurants, it may not be the cheapest option.

The report showed the average spend of each meal out was £62, on top of what they already have paid for the privilege of all-included meals. 

More than four-in-five parents (85 per cent) said they expected to include all meals in their package before they departed, but almost a quarter of them paid extra for these in their resort – spending an average of almost £54 extra on meals on top of their paid-for package. 

The problem for the extra spending can also come with confusion as to what is included in a European all-inclusive break.  

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: 'Over the past four years our annual research has consistently shown that European all-inclusive resorts offer less than holidaymakers expect so it is important for families to be aware of what is included in their package to avoid getting caught out. 

'If you have already booked an all-inclusive holiday, budget carefully and allow for the extra costs you are likely to incur.'

Depending where they visit, holiday goers could end up forking out an extra 10 to 15 per cent on top of their package (stock image)

Drinks are often a source of misconception with some varieties not included in the package. 

Almost two in five of those surveyed said they spent an average of over £43 on international brands of alcohol, a third spent £44 on bottles of wine, 37 per cent spent almost £27 on bottled water and three-in-10 paid £41 extra for cocktails.

A third spent £40 on drinks made with local alcohol brands – which some believed to be free on all-inclusive packages. 

People on European holidays were more guilty of splashing out on extra drinks, whereas far more chose to pay extra for the privilege of a la carte dining in long haul all-inclusive resorts - 40 per cent in long haul compared with 24 per cent in Europe.

Nearly a third of parents told the Post Office they intend to take an all-inclusive break this summer, but with almost seven out of ten parents claiming they eat out at local resort restaurants, it may not be the cheapest option (stock image)

Mr Brown commented that there are some benefits for those who wish to spend extra on food in European countries.

He said: 'On the plus side, the powerful pound means that all-inclusive holidaymakers who want to get a real flavour of their holiday destination can eat and drink in local restaurants and bars more cheaply this year. 

'However, it is best to be prepared and take enough foreign currency to cover the extra cost of items bought outside the all-inclusive resort – particularly as some restaurants are reluctant to accept credit or debit cards.'

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