It all started in 1950, on the island of Majorca in Spain. The idea of combining holidays, sport and nature in the open air germinated in the head of Gérard Blitz, himself a sports lover and a freedom-lover. He sets his sights on Alcudia, a small deserted beach bordered by pine trees, to plant a village of tents there to accommodate future vacationers. The one who will provide the tents is none other than Gilbert Trigano who will become his faithful partner. The success of this first holiday village was dazzling: the Club Med adventure was underway.
It must be said that the promise of holidays for all and an “all inclusive” concept were unprecedented. Gérard Blitz was the precursor. He has set up his villages in unique places, splendid sites on which he has grouped, in addition to accommodation and catering, a multitude of entertainment, events, sports and well-being activities. From “Gentile organizers”, the GOs, were to allow the “Gentile members”, the GMs to spend a dream vacation and thus share values dear to the founder: freedom, self-reinforcement, conviviality, multiculturalism, benevolence…
An enticing intention and concept that have seduced several generations. But the formula also has its limits and which is not to everyone’s taste. Some deplore the isolation and the lack of interaction with the local population.
I regret a little bit that we are completely isolated from the locals, from Dakar, from the African population.
A Kind Member at Club Med in Dakar
In addition to these small annoyances, Club Med is essential in the world tourism sector and manages to climb to the first step of the podium. But from 1993, the company suffered heavy losses and was forced to close certain villages. Originally alone in the “all-inclusive” vacation niche, Club Med now finds itself in competition with other groups and endures the political and climatic vagaries of the world.
We are currently losing a lot of money in our facilities in French Polynesia. The operating costs are very very high, and we, like other hoteliers, are in serious difficulty.
Serge Trigano
From 2006, the famous brand with the trident began a completely different strategy to take back the reins of its destiny and return to center stage. Far from the values of its founder, who advocated holidays for everyone, Club Med is opting for a move upmarket in its services and is focusing on luxury resorts. It is also setting out to conquer emerging countries, particularly in China, where the concept is intensely appealing. Moreover, since 2015, the Club is the property of a Chinese conglomerate.