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After visiting Madeira on Tui’s first customer trip since the restart of travel, Madeleine Barber reports on the operator’s all-inclusive holidays on the island
Never before has the simplicity and ease of an all-inclusive break been more appealing. With obstacles such as Covid-19 testing and turbulent government rules on travel to contend with when booking a holiday in 2021 and beyond, it’s likely customers will be glad of any opportunity to streamline their trips. One way for agents to meet this new demand is to shift focus to all-inclusive.
Tui, the UK’s largest tour operator, reports that an all-inclusive trend was emerging even pre-pandemic, with bookings increasing 10% year-on-year. It also says 65% of its current bookings for summer 2022 are for all-inclusive resorts, which could be in response to the operator’s enhanced offering that packages up reasonably priced PCR and lateral flow testing with flights, accommodation and dining.
I was able to experience one such all-inclusive package myself upon boarding Tui’s first customer flight since the restart of travel on 17 May.
Destined for Madeira, I was among the holidaymakers that accounted for a 182% increase in Tui bookings to Portugal in the weeks following the government’s first green list announcement.
I stayed at Riu Palace Madeira, which is “one of the biggest all-inclusive hotels on the island”, according to Jill Thompson, head of product and ancillaries at Tui, and one of five all-inclusives the operator offers in the destination.
She adds: “From customer feedback we know that our customers love the food options at Riu Palace Madeira, its French Riviera styling and the sophisticated atmosphere in the restaurant.”
Situated on the seafront in Canico De Baixo – a 20-minute drive from the island’s capital Funchal – Riu Palace Madeira has striking sea views, one indoor and two outdoor pools, a main dining room and speciality restaurant Rodizio, spa, cocktail bar and live evening entertainment.
As a 28-year-old who grew up taking touring and adventure family holidays, all-inclusive breaks have never appealed much. However, since returning, I have found myself researching active all-inclusive breaks to Madeira that would allow me to explore more of the destination. And it seems I’m not the only one discovering the island for the first time. “Madeira, also known as the ‘floating garden’, is like a magnet – there’s a strong proportion of customers that go back year after year – but recently more active customers and families have been discovering Madeira,” explains Thompson.
“They’re drawn by the tropical climate, rich vegetation, dramatic scenery and vibrant culture of Funchal, while walking is also a big attraction, as well as self-drive holidays.”
Upon arrival in Madeira it’s the dramatic scenery that first catches my eye. The runway at Cristiano Ronaldo International airport is known for being one of the world’s most perilous thanks to its position on the windy cliff edge at Funchal (although our landing is surprisingly smooth) and I can see why it’s been built on such an extreme spot – there’s not a flat piece of land to be seen.
Grape vines and banana trees snake along the hillsides on hand-farmed agricultural terraces, and one local I chat to describes Madeira as “like Swiss cheese; full of holes” thanks to the roads that have carved tunnels in the mountains.
Many of Tui’s add-on excursions offer all-inclusive customers the option to get out and about on these winding roads and explore the island in more depth. One such excursion is the half-day Nuns Valley and Madeira Wine
Tour (£26pp), which takes in vertigo-inducing views over the parish of Curral das Freiras from the 1,095-metre high Eira do Serrado viewpoint, before venturing into the valley and wrapping up with wine tasting in Funchal.
Other popular tours include the full-day Madeira Dramatic West Coast Tour (£47pp) and two- or four-hour Private Nature and Wine Experience (£41pp), which stops off at Cabo Girao, one of the world’s tallest sea cliffs.
On my visit to the summit, there’s not a cloud in the sky and I have a clear view over to the neighbouring Desertas Islands as well as down to the black, volcanic-sand beach below.
A ride on the cable car as part of Tui’s Monte Palace Tropical Garden Tour (£36pp) further tests my head for heights, carrying me over the terracotta rooftops and irrigation canals – or levadas – of the capital.
Some visitors like to explore these at their own pace, says Thompson. “Many of our customers choose to hire a car to take one of the numerous levada walks that criss-cross the island.”
Laura Nield, who has previously worked for Tui and is now a travel advisor at Jet2holidays, stayed at Riu Palace Madeira on a week-long family holiday:
What did you like about the hotel?
We went as a family of three and loved everything about it. The pools were wonderful, there was plenty of sunbathing space with an incredible view along the coast, the staff were kind and helpful, the cocktails were
lush and the wines were great too.
What did you think of the hotel’s dining?
The food was probably some of the best I’ve had in a hotel. There’s something for everyone, it was varied and very good quality, with a different theme every night.
What are your top selling tips for agents?
Riu Palace Madeira is great for families and not too entertainment-heavy. Suggest the snack bar for cakes
and hot and cold drinks, and make use of the free shuttle bus to Funchal. Also request a room on a high floor or book a sea-view room – it’s definitely worth it.
One activity that cannot be missed on a visit to Madeira – whether as part of a tour or an individual venture – is the Monte Toboggan Run.
As I climb into my allocated wicker sledge, two men dressed in white cotton and straw hats prepare to propel and steer me a mile downhill at speeds of almost 30 miles per hour using just their rubber-soled shoes as brakes. This is how citizens in the 1850s travelled from Monte to Funchal, so what could possibly go wrong?
After a few hairy moments and with more than a few hairs out of place I arrive at the town of Livramento and regain my composure while purchasing a souvenir at the market stalls.
This is just one of many activities on Madeira that would suit younger or more adventurous clients, alongside canyoning and challenging hikes to the island’s highest peaks. So while all-inclusive breaks may often be viewed as “swim, sunbathe, eat, sleep, repeat”, Tui is offering customers ample opportunity to break the mould in Madeira.
Book it: Tui offers a seven-night all-inclusive stay at Riu Palace Madeira for two in August from £828pp. Price includes flights from London. tui.co.uk
Roca Mar Hotel: Built into the cliff face in Canico de Baixo, sun loungers are spread out on the mountainside and a saltwater pool sits on a jetty with sea access. The hotel has two bars, buffet restaurant, a la carte steakhouse, spa, gym and evening entertainment including a weekly Madeiran folklore night. tui.co.uk
Pestana Royal Premium All Inclusive Ocean & Spa Resort: Being within a stone’s throw of Funchal city centre is a key selling point of this resort, along with its grand view of Cabo Girao from the pool. The largest pebble beach in the city is just below with direct access, while the resort has four restaurants, two bars, dine-around options, spa, gym and daily evening entertainment including bingo, live music and quizzes. jet2holidays.com
Calheta Beach from Savoy Signature: Situated on the south coast, this hotel has three bars (beach, pool and lounge), two restaurants (buffet and a la carte), direct beach access, nearby shops, bars and restaurants, plus a daily one-hour bus transfer to Funchal. tui.co.uk
