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| 12 May, 2009 |
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| Euro strength ‘scaring off’ British holidaymakers |
| Comments: 9 |
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People are searching out value for money destinations for this summer outside the eurozone, a new study shows.
Figures from cheap flights website Skyscanner shows a drop in interest in destinations such as Prague, Cork and Paphos but a rise in the popularity of Thailand and Turkey.
Turkey is the single biggest winner, with three of the top ten fastest growing destinations being in the country.
Palma, Pisa, Nice, Bordeaux, Menorca and Venice have all seen a small loss of interest from British travellers, again most likely due to the effect of the strong euro, according to the company.
Co-founder Barry Smith said that value for money is the biggest factor influencing this summer’s travel trends.
“The strength of the euro seems to have scared off many travellers, despite the fact that non-euro countries are not necessarily cheaper than those within the eurozone, and that good value holiday spots exist within the eurozone,” he said.
“Turkey is clearly benefiting from this enormously with three destinations in the top 10 climbers list.
“It’s already an established tourist destination, and has the sun, sea and sand that Greece and Spain offer, with the added buzzword of being non-euro.”
Biggest rising summer holiday destinations:
1. Thailand (+271%)
2. Los Angeles, USA (+170%)
3. Porto, Portugal (+163%)
4. Dalaman, Turkey (+160%)
5. Orlando, USA (+158%)
6. Istanbul, Turkey (+157%)
7. Sharm El Sheik, Egypt (+156%)
8. Bodrum, Turkey (+153%)
9. Burgas, Bulgaria (+152%)
10. Oslo, Norway (+143%)
Biggest falls in interest of summer holiday destinations:
1. Prague, Czech Republic (-15%)
2. Cork, Republic of Ireland (-13%)
3. Paphos, Cyprus (-11%)
4. Geneva, Switzerland (-6.5%)
5. Palma, Spain (-6%)
6. Pisa, Italy (-5.5%)
7. Nice, France (-5%)
8. Bordeaux, France (-4.5%)
9. Menorca, Spain (-4%)
10. Venice, Italy (-3%)
by Phil Davies
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| | | USER COMMENTS | | |
It is cheaper ....
I have representative offices in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus, and contractors and myself in the UK who regularily go abroad, and our 50 or so reps come back to the UK most years.
For a dish of the day - or a 3 course meal with a bottle of wine, there is no question that it is cheaper in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus than here in the UK - and yes I am using experiences based on this year with the low pound. Certainly I could say this with the Pollensa region of Mallorca against St Albans.
Granted I agree it is not as cheap as it used to be in years gone by and there is no question that since they adopted the euro prices have risen.
It is many years since I have been to Twickenham but I do not beleive it to be a haven of cheaper eatieries than the rest of the south-east.
I agree with you regardng many other factors such as the cost of gas etc, but not with the cost of wining and dining in restaurants, which is our clients main expense.
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Andy Brewer
15 May 2009, 18:34:13 GMT
It is cheaper ....
I have representative offices in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus, and contractors and myself in the UK who regularily go abroad, and our 50 or so reps come back to the UK most years. For a dish of the day - or a 3 course meal with a bottle of wine, there is no question that it is cheaper in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus than here in the UK - and yes I am using experiences based on this year with the low pound. Certainly I could say this with the Pollensa region of Mallorca against St Albans. Granted I agree it is not as cheap as it used to be in years gone by and there is no question that since they adopted the euro prices have risen. It is many years since I have been to Twickenham but I do not believe it to be a haven of cheaper eatieries than the rest of the south-east. I agree with you regardng many other factors such as the cost of gas etc, but not with the cost of wining and dining in restaurants, which is our clients main expense.
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Adam Gill
13 May 2009, 13:03:45 GMT
Interesting points
There are some interesting points made in this article although I am surprised that travelmole has listen Prague as a Eurozone destination considering the fact that it uses Czech Koruna and is a non-euro zone destination. Perhaps these findings aren't quite as accurate as implied?
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Keep it in perspective
It is a lot cheaper to wine and dine in Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Portugal than it is in the UK, even with the weakness of sterling.
We beleive that both the UK holiday market and the overseas holiday market to EU destinations be depressed by fairly similar levels.
These two markets are actually quite different and cater for differing needs, and both should play and promote to their strengths - and not on a preceived weakness of the other.
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Susie Tempest
12 May 2009, 13:05:28 GMT
Brits will always love the continent
One of the destinations to fall the least is Nice, which has seen a 5% drop in visitor figures.
Brits will always love the country for its accessibility from the UK and our familiarity with all things French. Nothing can beat du bon vin rouge and du fromage for a great summer holiday.
The industry recognises this and is responding with some great offers, including P&V’s re- introduction of 2008 Euro prices leading to massive discounts of up to 45% on holiday properties in France this summer.
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Brian Hawe
12 May 2009, 11:53:34 GMT
But it's cheaper when they get there
They may be paying a bit more for the flight, but the accommodation and other in resort costs are a lot less.
And the punters have been brainwashed by the media for the last 6 months as well don't forget, so even an improvement in the £ € rate will take time to sink in.
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Keith Standen
12 May 2009, 11:39:39 GMT
Weak Pound
If the pound is weak in the eurozone then it's weak everywhere. It seem consumers are of the opinion that if they stay out of Europe, everywhere else will be cheap, not so with a weak pound. The exchange rate means all destinations are more expensive this year. That said, our europe destinations are still filling up nicely thank you, albeit a bit more slowly this year which was to be expected. And the observation by Daniel Johnson - he makes a good point.
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Bristish Tourism saved?
Bad news for outgoing tourism from Britain, granted, but, even in a crisis, potentially a win-win for British Tourism: lots of 'stay in Britain' Brits + potential increases in incoming tourist numbers in response to the Pound's dramatic fall against the Euro. It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good... The question remains, however: are the British National and Regional Tourist boards, cash-starved as they are, strong enough to wave a potentially attractive 'flag' overseas....? Clearly British domestic Tourism won't have a record year, but it may salvage something from what might have been a complete disaster. We'll see...
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Daniel Johnson
12 May 2009, 10:46:09 GMT
But they're still paying more to go further?
It seems strange that families are being 'scared off by the Euro', but not by the higher cost of travelling further for their holidays.
At siblu, we have launched a Euro voucher with a 1.25 exchange rate to give extra value to customers
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