The slump in the value of sterling will hit the pockets of holidaymakers planning winter sun trips to many popular destinations, new research revealed.
People will have to pay more than in pre-pandemic 2019 in 80% of 28 destinations surveyed by Post Office Travel money.
The report found rises of more than 20% in 14 destinations, ranging from Antigua, Cancun, Barbados and Orlando to St Lucia, Singapore, Seychelles and New York.
However, it also found sizeable falls in popular resorts in Thailand, Dubai, Brazil, Jamaica and Vietnam.
The consumer research conducted for Post Office by YouGov found that almost three-in-five (59%) of UK adults who said they were considering a holiday abroad admitted that their plans were likely to be impacted by sterling’s volatility.
Although only a quarter of these said they would not take a holiday at all, an equal 25% said they would choose a cheaper destination, 28% will delay their trip and a third (33%) intend to cut their spending budget.
A fall in the cost of ten tourist staples researched by tailor-made holiday specialist Travelbag, and cross-referenced with those provided by its tourist office, showed Hoi An in Vietnam among nations offering the best value. The ten items are a cup of filter coffee, 330ml bottle of local lager, 330 ml bottle of Coca-Cola, 175ml glass of wine, cocktail, small chocolate bar, 1.5 litre bottle of supermarket mineral water, 200ml bottle of suncream, 50ml tube/bottle of insect repellent, three-course evening meal for two adults including a bottle of house wine.
Although sterling has dropped in value against the Vietnamese dong, a sharp fall in local prices means costs for British visitors are down 10% to £67.78, almost matching Cape Town in South Africa (£68) and just below Mombasa in Kenya (£77.41), followed by Japan and Bali (£82).
Prices are also down in Phuket, Thailand (£94); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (£102) and Montego Bay, Jamaica (£111). Costs have also fallen by almost 10% to £136 in Jumeirah, Dubai.
At £239, prices increased by 34% in Bridgetown to make Barbados the most expensive of the 28 destinations surveyed and more than twice the price of Montego Bay.
The biggest increase of more than 55% was recorded in Antigua, where the barometer basket in its capital St John’s rose to £179.
Cancun (£115) and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (£118) remain relatively good value for money, although prices have risen by 43% in the Mexican resort in the past three years, according to the study.
In the US, Orlando (£112) saw a 29% rise on 2019 price levels, an increase compounded by the growing strength of the US dollar. But the same items cost 50% more in New York (£169).
Travelbag researchers found that costs in Grand Baie, Mauritius (£122) are almost half those in the Seychelles (£235) where prices in Mahe have risen by around 25% since 2019.
Post Office Travel Money acknowledged that prices are likely to change in the coming weeks as a result of the volatility of the UK pound and advises careful budgeting so that Britons avoid running out of cash while abroad.
Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “With continuing uncertainty about sterling, it is more important than ever before for people planning winter sun holidays to do their homework and be aware of prices in destinations they are considering.
“Holiday costs remain low in popular long haul resorts like Vietnam, Thailand and Jamaica but people who choose the wrong destination risk falling victim to higher prices.”
“Our research shows that prices are higher in many destinations than in Europe.”
Travelbag managing director Lesley Rollo added: “What this report shows once again is the importance of doing your research before you book, and speaking to travel experts with on-the-ground visibility of what’s happening in your chosen destination.
“Our teams speak regularly with their contacts across the world in the destinations featured in this report and are well placed to make the decision of would-be travellers about where to go much easier.”