09 November 2009

Weak pound Ã¢â¬Ëœserious threatÃ¢â¬â¢ to foreign holidays

The weak pound threatens to hit foreign holidays, particularly to countries in the eurozone.

More than half of those questioned (51%) said environmental concerns would impact on decisions about whether to go overseas in the future.

The warning came as a poll for World Travel Market found that nearly one in three people (29%) said the sterling exhange rate would influence their choice of holiday destination.

A further 27% were undecided on the impact of a poor exchange rate on their choice of holiday destination.

However, 44% of the 1,030 people questioned said they would not allow exchange rates to impact where they go on holiday.

This compares to almost three quarters who said exchange rates had no infulence on their holiday decisions this year.

Travellers aaged between 25 and 40 will be most influenced by exchange rates (38%) followed by those between 16-24 (30%) and 41-60 (28%).

Less than a fifth (19%) over the age of 60 said exchange rates would influence them.

WTM chairman Fiona Jeffery said: "The worsening exchange rate is a serious threat to the UK outbound travel industry.

"Many British holidaymakers may find the in resort costs - especially within the eurozone - far too high.

"On the flip side, it has the potential to give the UK industry a real boost as the UK becomes a very cost effective country to visit, especially for those countries within the eurozone."

The WTM poll found three other major areas putting people off travelling abroad - price, the airport experience and environment.

Holiday costs, queues and congestion at airports are big turn offs.

Tax rises would persuade 13% to stop flying, according to the poll.

by Phil Davies