Press release -
Revealed: This year’s best value holiday destinations abroad - recommended by the Britons who have visited them
- Past visitors give the highest approval ratings to Spain’s mainland resorts and islands
- Britons also tip Greece (89%), Portugal (88%) and Turkey (88%) as good value
- Bargain Bulgaria gets a lower rating than more expensive Croatia
- Mexico and Thailand score best among long haul destinations
- Dubai and Scandinavia get the worst good value rating
Sterling’s falls against holiday currencies in the past month mean Britons looking for a bargain destination abroad will need to do their homework to ensure they get the best value. With 53 per cent of people planning trips abroad, compared with 43 per cent last year, new research by Post Office Travel Money could help. It reveals the destinations rated as offering the best value by holidaymakers who have actually visited them.
Spanish resorts take the top two places in a Post Office poll to find the destinations that past visitors thought offered good value1. Spain’s Costas were given a 92 per cent rating, while the Canary Islands scored 91 per cent. Almost as many gave good value approval ratings to Greece (89 per cent) and Portugal (88 per cent).
88 per cent also felt that Turkey offers good value – good news for 2022 visitors because Turkey is one of the few destinations where sterling will stretch further than last year2. Britons changing £500 can expect to receive over 50 per cent more in Turkish lira – the equivalent of almost £167 extra - for their pounds.
However, Bulgaria, long regarded as a bargain destination, which regularly tops the Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer for its cheapness, did not make the best value top 10 voted for by British holidaymakers who have visited the country. With an 80 per cent good value rating, the country could only manage 12th position, six places below its more expensive Balkan rival Croatia, which was rated good value by 86 per cent of people who had holidayed there.
Mexico achieved the highest number of approval ratings given by long haul holidaymakers who had visited the country. 85 per cent rated it good value, compared with 83 per cent of those who had visited Thailand previously. However, holidaymakers travelling to destinations like Cancun and Riviera Maya will need to factor in a rise in the value of the Mexican peso. This means they will get around £70 less (-12.2 per cent) to spend when they change £500. Compared with this, sterling will buy just 3.8 per cent fewer Thai baht (-£19.83).
The destinations receiving the lowest good value ratings were Dubai (44 per cent) and Scandinavia (42 per cent). However, British visitors to Scandinavian countries will get more for their money this year because sterling is up 4.7 per cent year-on-year against the Swedish kronor (£22.42), 2.6 per cent against the Norwegian krone (+£12.59) and 1.6 per cent against the Danish kroner (+£7.88).
Experience versus reputation
The Post Office survey also revealed big differences in perceptions of good value between past visitors and consumers who had not visited a country but based their decision on reputation. For example, 84 per cent of those who have not visited Vietnam thought it would offer them good value, but only 59 per cent of those with first-hand experience of the destination felt the same.
On the other hand, while only three-in-five (61 per cent) of those who had never travelled to the USA thought a holiday there would offer them good value, many more of those who had visited the country – 72% - gave it the thumbs up. Similarly, while only 61 per cent of those who had not been to South Africa gave it a good value score, over three-quarters - 76 per cent - of those with direct experience of the country rated it good value.
Nick Boden, Head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Sterling’s fall in value makes it even more important for people planning trips to consider the costs they will face in resorts abroad before they take the plunge and book a holiday. While they weigh up the cost of flights and accommodate or package deals, they will need to watch what is happening with sterling as that will make a sizeable difference to the overall cost of their holiday. By choosing destinations like Turkey or Bulgaria in Europe or Thailand or Mexico further afield, they could save themselves money.”
The Post Office is the UK’s leading foreign currency provider, offering around 60 currencies for pre-order at around 7,000 Post Office branches or online at www.postoffice.co.uk/travel for next day branch or home delivery. 3,600 larger Post Office branches stock the leading currencies and around 7,000 offer euros over the counter without pre-order. These can also be ordered online for same day ‘click and collect’ at selected branches, next day collection at any branch or home delivery.
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About the Post Office
- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on itscash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; andbill paymentsservices.
- Researchhas found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
