The German tour operator Schauinsland Reisen, headquartered in Maspalomas, has begun implementing a reduced version of the traditional "All Inclusive" package in Turkey, excluding alcoholic beverages. The new model, called AI-Light (All Inclusive Light), is already being tested in three Turkish hotels and could be expanded if sales continue.
This transformation of the tourism model, one of the pillars of mass tourism in Mediterranean destinations, comes in the middle of the high season and with a clear intention: to reduce costs without sacrificing volume. Turkish hotels Diamond Hill Resort, Club Aqua Plaza, and Citrus Plaza already offer tourists the usual meals and soft drinks, but alcohol is not included in the package. Guests must pay an additional fee to obtain alcoholic beverages.
The change has caused surprise, especially among Eastern markets—such as Ukraine—where the "all-inclusive with alcohol" option remains one of the main reasons for choosing Turkey as a destination. However, the German operator explains that the change responds to growing demand: "Many tourists don't consume alcohol, but they still pay for it as part of their package. With AI-Light, they can save up to 50 euros per person per week," they maintain.
Although for now the model is aimed exclusively at the German market, its success could expand to other countries. The question, especially in the Canary Islands, is what role Schauinsland Reisen plays in this experiment and whether this type of policy could be replicated in destinations like the Archipelago, where the "all-inclusive" approach is also a widespread but controversial option.
This is no small matter: the company's tax headquarters are in Maspalomas, one of the most important tourist centers in southern Gran Canaria. Although its main operations are linked to the German market, its influence in local hotel sales is significant. This position means that many of the German tour operator's strategic decisions, even when implemented in Turkey, resonate in the Canarian tourism debate.
While Turkey is looking for a twist on its model to balance quality and profitability, the "all-inclusive without alcohol" model reopens an old conversation on the islands: Should the Canary Islands also reconsider their dependence on this formula, or at least condition their taxation or promotion based on actual spending per tourist?
For now, AI-Light is presented as a voluntary and complementary option, but if savings prevail over experience, and if large operators find profitability in this format, the "all-inclusive without rum" could cease to be an anecdote and become a trend.
A trend that started far away, in Antalya, but with a price tag that could end up being paid in the bottom lines of suppliers in Playa del Inglés.
