Confidence returning to holiday market – report claims
Long haul price cuts, cheaper European city hotels and a drastic slashing of air fares are boosting foreign holidays, a new report shows.
The Post Office’s market intelligence on the currency purchasing trends for the first half of 2009 shows that eight out of the top ten fastest growing currencies in June were long haul destinations led by South Africa and Kenya.
Post Office head of travel Sarah Munro said: “Confidence seems to be returning to the holiday market and our currency sales in recent weeks indicate that UK tourists are responding to the great value deals available for overseas travel.
“Long haul package prices that compare very favourably with European trips have helped to stimulate demand for destinations like Kenya, Thailand, Egypt and Bali as the significant growth levels for sales of the currencies for these countries in June shows.
“Despite continuing bad publicity, there’s a double helping of good news for UK tourists considering the eurozone this summer.
“The exchange rate has improved by almost nine per cent since the end of 2008, and some of the most popular resorts in Spain, Portugal and Greece have cut their prices this year to encourage tourists.
After a poor start to the year, euro and US dollar currency sales have picked up and sold strongly in June.
Sterling has recovered 8.6 per cent of its value against the euro since the turn of the year and sales of the currency have finally begun to pull back.
www.travelmole.com (UK)
20.07.2009