Travellers urged to use up currency for Cyprus and Malta

British travellers are unaware that Cyprus and Malta are due to switch to the Euro on January 1, according to research commissioned by Travelex.

A YouGov poll of nearly 2,000 Brits, carried out earlier this month, found 73% were unaware of the changes, despite being the major visitors to both countries (57% of visitors to Cyprus and 38% to Malta).

Travelex is urging anyone who regularly visits the two countries, or has recently returned, to use up or exchange their leftover local currency before it becomes redundant.

--Our research shows that 50 per cent of travellers don’t exchange their leftover travel money,” said Steve O’Donovan, regional divisional director of Travelex Outsourcing.

--With the change in currency coming up in two major holiday destinations, we are urging travellers to make sure they don’t lose out.”

Jacqui Holt, head of sales, financial services at Thomas Cook added: --Cyprus and Malta are two of the leading destinations for our customers, many of whom visit frequently throughout the year. It’s concerning that so many people are unaware of the switch over to Euros.”

The pair urged customers to make use of Cash Passport, a prepaid card that allows customers to load their spending money in advance and plan what they want to spend. The card can be used for three years and allows travellers to keep their leftover foreign currency.


By Bev Fearis

Thursday, November 29, 2007

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