Pound travels further outside eurozone

Monday, 26th January 2009

For those travelling further afield, the survey shows that Thailand and South Africa offer the best value in long-haul destinations. The pound is stronger and costs are lower in both countries.

“Although year on year sterling has dropped in value by over 10% against the forint and 15% against the koruna, its relative strength against these currencies, combined with lower local tourists costs, make Hungary and the Czech Republic two of the best value destinations for 2009,” noted the managing director of First Rate, Gordon Gourlay. First Rate is the UK Post Office’s foreign exchange wholesaler.

First Rate expects that UK travellers will keep a closer watch on currency exchange rates than they have in the past, in order to take advantage of fluctuations in their favour.

“We expect that in 2009 foreign exchange retailers will find that many people who are travelling to the eurozone will be monitoring exchange rates well in advance so they can purchase their travel money to coincide with rises in sterling’s strength against the euro, rather than just their imminent departure," he added.

According to the survey, Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria are cheaper holiday destinations than any of the eurozone countries. Spain did make the list of the top 10 lowest-priced destinations, however.

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