STERLING EFFORT...
VICKY LISSAMAN discovers destinations where your money will go that bit further
BRITS can enjoy cheaper drinks and meals out in many popular holiday destinations this year – thanks to the power of the pound.
According to the Holiday Money Report from Post Office Travel Money, 90% of the Post Office’s 30 best-selling currencies are currently weaker against sterling than a year ago resulting in price falls, especially in long-haul destinations and cities.
So despite year-on-year local price rises in bars, restaurants and shops in four out of five destinations surveyed in the Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, the strength of the pound actually makes them cheaper for British travellers.
When visiting 19 long-haul destinations and six European ones, holidaymakers from the UK can expect to pay less than a year ago.
Topping the value-for-money chart for the first time is Vietnam, where there has been a 14.4% price fall in Hoi An thanks to lower charges in restaurants and bars and a drop in value of the Vietnamese dong.
The ancient coastal town offers the cheapest beer in the destinations surveyed at £1.16, a huge contrast to Dubai where beer is £8.69, the dearest in the survey of 40 resorts and cities.
At £51.18 for a barometer basket consisting of drinks, a three-course meal for two with wine, sunscreen and insect repellent, Hoi An has leapfrogged last year’s leaders from sixth to first.
Cape Town in South Africa was found to be the destination with the second lowest prices, followed by Mombasa, Kenya; Tokyo, Japan; and the Algarve, Portugal.
At the other end of the scale, the most expensive location analysed was Tamarindo, Costa Rica. This was attributed to the growing strength of the Costa Rica colon.
Other destinations with the highest costs for tourist items were found to be New York, USA; St John’s, Antigua; and Rodney Bay, St Lucia.
Japan is a Far Eastern destination to benefit from a rise in sterling’s value combined with a fall in local prices. Tokyo has jumped four places into fourth with barometer costs plummeting by 16.2% to £59.05.
Although British holidaymakers continue to rate Spain as the best value destination, it has fallen to 14th place after a 9.3% price rise to £81.45.
Portugal’s Algarve is the highest placed of 15 European destinations surveyed, holding fifth spot with a 1.2% drop in prices to £59.69.
It offers the cheapest coffee at 88p, compared to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with the most costly at £3.37, and the cheapest wine at £1.76 per glass, contrasting with Cancun, Mexico, with the dearest at £9.38.
Cyprus is the only new entrant in the best-value top 10. At £73.32, Paphos takes 10th place with a 6.8% drop in prices.
Head of Post Office Travel Money, Laura Plunkett, says: “Long-haul travellers can expect more for their money because the pound has gained ground in most destinations.
“By comparison, sterling’s gain against the euro has been more modest so it will pay to compare eurozone destinations to see which offer the cheapest prices.
“Portugal and Cyprus look the best choices for bargain hunters.”