Just the news we all needed. Cheaper 2020 holidays are promised because of the soaring pound and prices falling in some top sunshine destinations.
More than three quarters of hotspots have seen a slump in prices, according to a Post Office report out today.
Sunny Beach in Bulgaria remains the cheapest place to visit – it’s 15 per cent cheaper this year and the best-value long-haul destination is Japan.
The cost of eight tourist staples – a three-course evening meal for two with wine, bottle of beer, glass of wine, can of Coca-Cola, large bottle of water, cup of coffee, suncream and insect repellent – has fallen in 33 of the 42 worldwide destinations surveyed and by over 10 per cent in 11 of these. While the power of the pound is the main reason, local price cuts are a contributory factor in 19 destinations.
The biggest price fall of 44 per cent has been in Antigua (£70.51), which has risen to its highest ever barometer position (14th) as a result. In Europe, the biggest fall in barometer costs has been in Corfu (£75.91), where a drop of 21 per cent has taken the Greek island to 16th place from 21 a year ago.
Nick Boden, Post Office Travel Money Head of Travel, said: “With the price falls we found in destinations worldwide, holidaymakers will have plenty of choice in the coming year – provided sterling holds its value. In Europe the best deals are likely to be in Bulgaria, Turkey and Portugal, while further afield Japan, Vietnam and Bali are looking good bets for the bargain-hunter. The clear message is that holidaymakers should do their homework on resort prices before booking to be sure of the best deal.”
The 14th annual Holiday Money Report from Post Office Travel Money reveals that prices have plunged by over 19 per cent in Darwin (£118.96). Australia is one of many destinations to benefit from sterling’s rise in value. Singapore (£98.85) has registered an 18 per cent drop in tourist prices, while Jumeirah Beach (£126.30) in Dubai, one of the top choices for Britons travelling beyond Europe, is over 16 per cent cheaper than a year ago.
Topping the Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometerchart at just £30.68 for the eight items, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria has proved unbeatable value in Europe in recent years and is cheapest worldwide. The resort’s rock-bottom prices for UK visitors have fallen a further 15 per cent since last January, making it 30 per cent cheaper than runner-up Turkey, where prices in Marmaris (£44.15) are down 2.4 per cent, thanks to the weak Turkish lira.
Third-placed Tokyo (£48.21) is the best value long haul destination, overtaking Cape Town (£59.39), which has dropped back to sixth place after registering a price rise of over 18 per cent. Tourist prices in the Japanese capital have continued to fall – this year by over 13 per cent – despite hosting the Rugby World Cup last autumn. This can only bode well for sports fans planning trips to see the Olympic Games.
Portugal’s Algarve (£49.87) is again cheapest in the Eurozone and, in fourth place, is one of six European destinations to feature in the top 10. One place below, Spain’s Costa del Sol (£53.16) is over six per cent pricier.
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