PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — As soon as I landed in Punta Cana, a private driver from Excellence El Carmen whisked me away from the airport. An hour later, I was greeted with a glass of sparkling wine in one hand and a cold towel in the other. It was clear from the start that this wasn’t just a vacation; it was an invitation to relax.
This level of stress-free luxury is precisely what’s drawing Gen Z travelers to all-inclusive resorts in droves. Melanie Fish, VP of Global Public Relations for Expedia Group, parent company of Hotels.com, told USA TODAY, “2025 is the start of a new all-inclusive era, driven a lot by Gen Z.
” This younger generation of travelers is no longer content with simply lounging by a poolside buffet. They crave immersive, high-end experiences with all the comforts of home – and without the hassle of budgeting while on vacation. “No calculation is being done,” Fish noted with a laugh.
“It’s a math-free vacation.” At the adults-only resort Excellence El Carmen, I quickly realized that Fish’s comments ring true. Not once did I have to consider the cost of anything during my stay.
From 10 dining options to poolside service to 24-hour room service, it was all included. Fish explained that this stress-free appeal is what makes all-inclusive resorts so enticing, especially for Gen Z travelers, who are increasingly seeking convenience and value – but that could be said of all travelers. According to , 42% of Gen Z respondents said an.