Tourists return to Tenerife as the pound increases in value against the Euro
British tourists are being wooed back to the Continent with more for their money. As sterling rose this week against the euro to its highest level since December 2008, giving British travellers up to 10 per cent more for their money than last summer.
“Holidaymakers can now expect to get more for their pounds travelling to one of the Eurozone countries than anywhere else,” said Sarah Munro, head of travel money at the Post Office.
Given the continuing concern over the future of the euro, the pound could strengthen further, while reports suggest that hotels and restaurants on the Continent are attempting to attract holidaymakers by reducing prices.
“Our research also shows that prices have plummeted in some of the most popular resorts - especially in Spain and Portugal, where restaurants have slashed their prices,” Ms Munro said.
The total average cost of several holiday essentials, including drinks, sun cream and a meal in a local restaurant, has fallen by 42 per cent in the Algarve, for example, and by 40 per cent in Spain, according to the Post Office. Similar research released this week by Thomas Cook also suggested that mainland Spain offers particularly good value for visitors from Britain.
“Exchange rates have a huge impact on where Britons choose to travel,” said Francis Tuke, a spokeswoman for Abta, the travel association. “The weakening of the euro will undoubtedly encourage us to return to the Eurozone.”
She added that hotel prices had fallen in Spain during the past year and that travel companies expected rates to fall in Greece.
Cheapflights.co.uk, the price-comparison website, has reported that searches for flights to Eurozone destinations increased by 6 per cent during May compared with the same month last year.
