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Portugal rated ‘best value’ holiday destination

Portugal has earned the highest rating for good value from UK holidaymakers in the latest Post Office Travel Money survey.

The leading resort area of the Algarve is rated as cheapest in the Eurozone in the worldwide holiday costs barometer.

Published within the annual report, the barometer found that prices have fallen in three-quarters of resorts and cities.

When holidaymakers were asked to name the destinations which they believed offered good value, Portugal topped their ratings alongside amber the list destinations of Greece and Spain.


More: Visit Portugal confirms British Tourists allowed from Monday

Updated: Doubts cast over travel resumption to Portugal despite green list status

Portugal ‘clear winner’ of green list destinations


Thailand was named the best value long haul destination.

The report came ahead of overseas travel restrictions being lifted today, with Portugal being the only mainstream holiday nation on the no quarantine green list.

Bulgaria, currently on the amber list, is the destination where holidaymakers will find the cheapest prices for a range 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 – according to the worldwide holiday costs barometer of 46 destinations, nine of them new for 2021.

Prices at Sunny Beach in Bulgaria have fallen a further 14% to just under £28 since last spring, making Sunny Beach a quarter cheaper than runner-up Turkey.

Barometer costs in Marmaris have also fallen by around 14% year-on-year to £37 but this is entirely thanks to the weak Turkish lira.

Portugal’s Algarve (£44) completes the top three as a 16.5% fall in barometer costs helped it consolidate its long-established position as the Eurozone’s cheapest resort area.

The price fall has helped Portugal to pull away from Spain’s Costa del Sol, which is 31% more expensive at £58.

The Costa has fallen from fifth to seventh place in the barometer top 10 after registering a three per cent price rise.

The United Arab Emirates destinations of Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah are the most expensive destinations of the 46 surveyed – at least 42% pricier than Dubai, the third Emirate surveyed.

Consumer research on attitudes to holidays abroad reveals caution, anticipation and aspiration in equal measure.

Besides concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on holiday cost and safety, with 90% worried that changes to travel rules could cost them money, two-thirds of consumers remain concerned about post-Brexit red tape and delays.

The cost of travelling to their destination (74%) and prices within resorts (64%) are a more important consideration than package holiday discounts (59%) and only two-in-five (39%) rate job insecurity as important in decision-making.

More than half of those surveyed (51%) have either booked holidays, are planning trips or still considering whether to do so.

City breaks remain the top choice as they have been for the past three years, with over one-in-five (22%) planning to visit an overseas city this year.

However, the research reveals a growing taste for experiences that encompass scenery, wildlife and the world’s great sights – suggesting a desire to get off the beaten track on holiday.

When asked what would prompt their future holiday choice, 57% of holidaymakers named scenery, while 43% said it was the chance to see the ‘world’s great sights’ and 37% said they wanted to see wildlife.

Australia and New Zealand – currently off limit to UK visitors – top the list of bucket list choices by 44% of consumers.  Canada was third at 41%, while Iceland (38%) was the highest placed European destination.

Nick Boden, Post Office head of travel money, said: “People who are hoping to take an overseas holiday and have not decided on their destination should make sure they know the regulations that apply to countries they are considering at the time of booking.

“When budgeting for their holiday, they should include all the costs of travel abroad in their planning.

“This does not just mean comparing package prices or flight costs but also doing their homework to check how resort prices have changed since their last trip. Big falls in many European and long-haul resorts spell good news – so choose carefully.”

More: Visit Portugal confirms British Tourists allowed from Monday

Updated: Doubts cast over travel resumption to Portugal despite green list status

Portugal ‘clear winner’ of green list destinations

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