Since travel has returned, many Brits are planning long haul trips to the sun.
But where will you get the most value for your hard-earned money?
Well, now we know thanks to Post Office Travel Money’s ‘Holiday Money Index 2021’ report, which has been measuring exchange rate movements and foreign currency sales.
This revealed the top 10 best-value long-haul winter sun destinations in terms of costs.
If you are a hopeful traveller, you will find the best bang for your buck in Turkey, where you will get £210 extra on a £500 transaction.
Caribbean island nation Jamaica is in second place where Britons will gain €127 for £500, this is a 34% gain since the first lockdown.
Mauritius is third with £111 to gain on a £500 purchase and Kenya is fourth with a £99 gain.
In terms of cheapest long-haul winter sun trip, Jamaica hits the top spot, specifically the Montego Bay area, where £52.82 will buy you a three-course meal for two and a range of drinks.
Meanwhile, in Mauritius, which comes in second, travellers can purchase a three course meal with wine, beer, coffee and water for just £55.19.
Thailand takes third place where Britons will pay £61.45 for an assortment of food and drink on the Thai island of Phuket.
Surprisingly two US destinations make the top 10. For the same amount of goods you will pay £61.51 Orlando, Florida. And in New York, which comes ninth, a holidaymaker is expected to dish out £88.22.
‘The strength of sterling is a real bonus, but it is also important to consider the cost of living in individual countries,’ says Nick Boden, Post Office Head of Travel Money.
‘When you combine the two, Jamaica and Mauritius look like winter sun winners according to our barometer of resort costs.
Cheapest holiday destinations, according to the Post Office
- Bulgaria (Sunny Beach)
- Turkey (Marmaris)
- Portugal (Algarve)
- Bali (Indonesia)
- South Africa (Cape Town)
- Czech Republic (Prague)
- Spain (Costa del Sol)
- Vietnam (Hoi An)
- Sri Lanka (Colombo)
- Madeira (Funchal)
‘Prices for meals and drinks are 79% higher in Barbados than in Jamaica. Similarly, when you compare costs in the most popular US destinations, visitors to Orlando in Florida will pay around a third less than in New York.’
Iceland’s krona is the fastest-growing currency in the Post Office currency sales trends report. Sales have increased by an impressive 3,009% compared with September and October last year.
Winter sun destinations that have been released from the UK’s Covid restrictions have also seen a jump in interest.
Sales of the Croatian kuna are up 1,304% which was boosted by demand during the school half-term holiday.
A steep rise of 633% in UAE dirham shows Britons are turning to Dubai to catch some winter sun, while the Hungarian forint is up 582%.
However, the euro is the overall bestseller with sales trebling since the beginning of summer.
The dollar is the second most popular with sales surging by 142% after the USA confirmed UK tourists will be able to visit the country from November 8.
The report also found British tourists are buying more currency when holidaying abroad. The average Post Office transaction on euro purchases is now up 39% to £462.
Boden says of the findings: ‘Looking at our currency sales, the green shoots of recovery are now evident for most of the destinations now opening up to British visitors again and reveal a latent demand for hotspots in Europe and further afield.’
Do you have a story to share?
Send us an email at [email protected]
MORE : Why you feel jet lagged this week without even travelling
MORE : Tetley wants to hire someone to drink tea and travel the world for a living
MORE : Clever travel hack shows how to pack for a flight with no baggage allowance
