Money in Far East 'goes further'
Updated on 26 September 2008
Those looking for late-year foreign sun will find their money stretches furthest in the Far East, it has been revealed.
Ten typical holiday items cost half as much in Thailand as in Cyprus, a price index from the Post Office showed.
And travelling east is a better bet than going west, with holiday costs far cheaper in Malaysia than in the Caribbean.
Most expensive for the 10 items, which included a three-course evening meal, was Barbados where holidaymakers would have to fork out a total of £126.89, with most of this going on the meal.
In contrast, the 10 items, which also included suncream, cigarettes and a cup of coffee, would only set tourists back £33.83 in Thailand and only £37.98 in Malaysia.
The survey also found that resort prices were on the rise in Egypt and Turkey, with the "basket" of 10 items costing 24% more in Egypt now than in April with Turkey costs rising 21%.
Despite this, foreign currency sales for holidays to Egypt and Turkey were booming as were sales of American dollars despite a weakening pound.
Post Office head of travel Helen Warburton said: "Egypt and Turkey were among our fastest growing currencies this summer and that trend is continuing with a year on year September sales growth of around 19%.
"The perception of good value combined with the fact that they will suffer relatively less from airline fuel surcharges than destinations further afield, is likely to make them popular half-term choices."
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