Holidays in Spain affected by weak pound
Dec 27th, 2008 by admin
The weak pound is likely to affect the choice of holiday destination in 2009 according to ABTA, which represents travel agents and tour operators. Sterling fell by more than 30% against the euro and the US dollar last year. Egypt and Turkey, with lower living costs, are likely to benefit and both countries saw increases of more than 30% in visitors from the UK last year. Mexico, Cuba, Dubai, Croatia and Australia are among other destinations predicted to do well this year.
Spain is the most popular destination for British tourists with around 12 million holidays taken there each year. Around seven million holidays are taken in France with more than two million in the US and Italy. Around 1.3 million are currently taken in Turkey.
The travel industry claims the demand for holidays in the 16 countries which have adopted the euro is unlikely to suffer any dramatic fall. However a spokesman from ABTA says a lot of British people have established ties: “I still believe Spain will be way up there in terms of our favourite destinations. A lot of people have second homes over there for instance.”
Source: Associated Press