Currency sales have surged this autumn, thanks to travellers planning winter-sun and Stateside trips as borders open up.
Post Office currency sales have risen by 142% year-on-year in September and October, and have doubled since June, thanks to the easing of travel restrictions around the world.
The first Post Office Holiday Money Index of 2021 shows that euro sales in September and October rose by 150% year-on-year, while sales of US dollars increased by 142%.
The US announced last month that travel restrictions will be lifted from November 8 for foreign citizens fully vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines approved for use by the World Health Organisation or by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The biggest gains have been in sales of the Icelandic krona, which increased by 3,009% and the Croatian kuna, up by 1,304%.
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The index also highlights how a year-on-year rise in the value of sterling means that holidaymakers will get almost 14% more cash for their pounds in Mauritius and more than 13% more in Thailand.
The biggest year-on-year sterling gain of 20.5% has been against the Turkish lira. Sales of the currency surged by 112% after Turkey was taken off the government red list.
The Post Office’s basket of goods in popular hotspots – including a cup of coffee, bottle of beer, can of cola, bottle of water and three-course evening meal for two – shows that Jamaica offers the best value, while Barbados is the most expensive.
Nick Boden, Post Office head of travel money, said: “Looking at our currency sales, the green shoots of recovery are now evident for most of the destinations now opening up to British visitors again and reveal a latent demand for hotspots in Europe and further afield.”
Commenting on holiday costs in long-haul destinations now open to British visitors, Nick Boden added: “The strength of sterling is a real bonus but it is also important to consider the cost of living in individual countries.
“When you combine the two, Jamaica and Mauritius look like winter-sun winners according to our barometer of resort costs.
“Prices for meals and drinks are 79% higher in Barbados than in Jamaica. Similarly, when you compare costs in the most popular US destinations, visitors to Orlando in Florida will pay around a third less than in New York.”
Holiday Costs Barometer for long-haul destinations: resort costs in leading winter-sun destinations now open to UK tourists:
Jamaica £52.82
Mauritius £55.19
Thailand (Phuket) £61.45
US (Orlando) £61.51
Dubai £73.82
Canada (Toronto) £74.21
Canada (Vancouver) £80.29
St Lucia £80.51
US (New York) £88.22
Barbados £95.69
Picture by Bogdan Sonjachnyj/Shutterstock