The pound is flying high, and Brits could actually stretch their sterling further than they think, according to recent research by Post Office Travel Money. (Featured image by Christian Haugen)
The study revealed that UK travellers could get more from their money in long-haul, as well as short-haul, destinations. The pound is currently making year-on-year gains against a number of currencies from around the world.
The value of sterling against the Japanese Yen has climbed by 18 per cent, while Brits can get 16.7 per cent more Brazilian Real for their pound coins this year.
Anyone who is heading to Buenos Aires will also see their travel spend boosted, gaining almost 15 per cent more Argentinean Pesos, in exchange for pounds, than they would have during January 2012.
The pound has also strengthened against the South African Rand, with visitors seeing a 15 per cent boost to their spending money year-on-year this January.
The Post Office’s recent Holiday Money Report barometer placed Sri Lanka as the top long-haul location when it comes to where Brits can expect to find themselves “quids-in” this year.
The cost of eight items, including an evening meal with drinks, comes in at just £36.14 in this unique destination.
This is less than half the bill that Brits would have to face in 21 other destinations and a quarter of the cost of the two most expensive holiday spots around the globe, Australia and South Korea (not so good if you’re hoping to go to Gangnam this year…).
Other countries that featured in the top 10 best value destinations include Bali (£40.47) and Vietnam (£43.20), which have surpassed Thailand (£58.31) to take their place in the top five.
“There are growing signs that UK holidaymakers now check the value of sterling and the costs they face in overseas resorts before booking,” said Andrew Brown, Head of Travel Money at the Post Office.
“The destinations which benefitted last year were those where the power of the pound put more money in the pocket or where the price of meals and drinks meant holiday cash stretched further – and often a combination of the two. We expect to see the same pattern emerging in 2013.”
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