Destinations where the pound still goes far

UK holidaymakers will find that the pound goes much farther when they travel to some long-haul destinations this winter, although prices in Egypt and Turkey are beginning to rise.

Examples of where Britons will find the pound stretching the furthest include south-east Asian countries, including Thailand and Malaysia, according to a new report on winter prices for popular destinations in the sun.

A survey conducted by the Post Office into the relative prices of several essential holiday items, including mineral water, sun block, insect repellent and a meal at a local eatery, revealed that Malaysia and Thailand are two of the cheapest destinations for UK travellers. Prices at the two south-east Asian countries are around 25 per cent of those in Barbados, for example.

The pound will buy more in Malaysia and Thailand than in many mid-haul destinations, such as Egypt and Turkey, where prices have shot up by more than 20 per cent since April of this year. The increase is due to the decline in the value of the pound and also to local merchants hiking up prices to increase income as visitor numbers rise.

Lower prices in Malaysia, Thailand – and even South Africa – are somewhat counterbalanced by the higher fuel surcharges imposed on long-haul airfares. The surcharges paid by a family of four on a long-haul return flight would be approximately £900, as compared with around £600 for a mid-haul flight to a destination such as Kenya.

www.postoffice.co.uk