News DeskDubai – Club Med, the original pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Since opening its first beach village in Majorca in 1950, the brand has transformed the way the world holidays, growing into a global leader in premium, and sustainable travel with more than 70 resorts across 40 countries.
Founded by Gérard Blitz and later joined by Gilbert Trigano, Club Med introduced a revolutionary way to travel—offering carefree, all-inclusive holidays that fostered freedom, community, and cultural connection. From humble straw huts in Spain to today’s luxurious Exclusive Collection resorts, Club Med’s journey has been nothing short of iconic.
Looking back at the journey of the brand, Anne Browaeys, CEO of Club Med EMEA and North America, says, “Our 75th anniversary is a tribute to Club Med’s enduring spirit of innovation and reinvention. From inventing the all-inclusive model to our premium transformation, we continue to lead by staying true to our founding values of freedom and happiness. We thank our guests and partners for their unwavering support and look forward to shaping the next chapter in Club Med’s extraordinary journey.”
Celebrating 75 Years of L’Esprit Libre
To mark the occasion, Club Med has launched a global campaign titled 75 Years of L’Esprit Libre—a tribute to the brand’s enduring spirit of freedom and joyful living. The campaign includes a nostalgic holiday film blending archival footage with modern imagery, celebrating decades of innovation and connection. With playful messaging that nods to trends Club Med helped shape, the campaign reminds audiences: “We didn’t invent digital detox, social network, or travel influencers—but we did invent the places where you could truly live them.”
Game Changers
The all-inclusive model was born with the launch of Club Med Majorca, where guests swapped colourful beaded necklaces (early versions of today’s digital bracelets) for services and amenities. It was a post-war vision for unity and joy, and its legacy remains woven into every Club Med experience.
From this single village, Club Med expanded rapidly launching the world’s first all-inclusive ski resort in Leysin, Switzerland in 1956, and inventing family-friendly travel standards such as buffet dining (1965) and the Mini Club for children (1967). Today, Club Med welcomes families, couples, and groups of friends to explore a collection of resorts that blend luxury with local experiences and over 60 activities including ski, padel tennis, trapeze, and sunset cruises.
Global Upscale
Club Med began a strategic upmarket transformation in 2004. Today, the brand has successfully repositioned its global portfolio into Premium All-Inclusive and Exclusive Collection categories. These luxury offerings include perks such as personal concierge services, in-room champagne, and access to private pools or ski-in, ski-out facilities.
Notable milestones include the opening of Club Med Cefalù in Sicily—its first fully Exclusive Collection resort in Europe—and the launch of Club Med Seychelles in 2019, set on a private island with villas and world-class wellness facilities. In 2022, Club Med returned to Spain with Club Med Magna Marbella, now a favourite among British families.
Continues Innovation
In true Club Med fashion, innovation is far from over. In 2026, the brand will debut Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari, its first property on the African continent to combine beach luxury with wildlife adventure. Located on the Dolphin Coast, the resort will offer easy access to Big-5 safaris alongside stunning ocean views and a full suite of water-based activities.
In parallel, Club Med’s tech evolution continues with AI-powered guest services, a cutting-edge Travel Agent Portal, and data-backed development informed by five million data points processed daily. The company also continues its sustainability commitment, with 85% of resorts now Green Globe-certified.
