Revealed: Spain is rated by Britons as the best-value holiday destination in the world, followed by Greece, Portugal and Turkey (with Dubai and Scandinavia bottom of the ranking)
- Bulgaria, long regarded as a bargain spot, does not make the best-value top 10
- Mexico is rated top among long-haul destinations by those that have visited
- Dubai scrapes in above Scandinavia, with the second-worst value rating
Spanish holiday resorts offer the best value in the world, according to British holidaymakers.
In a poll in which they were asked to rate foreign destinations they’d previously visited for value, Spain’s Costas on the mainland come first with a 92 per cent rating and Spain’s Canary Islands (91 per cent) take the silver medal in the ranking.
Almost as many gave good-value approval ratings for Greece (third, 89 per cent), Portugal (joint fourth, 88 per cent) and Turkey (joint fourth, 88 per cent).
Spanish holiday resorts offer the best value in the world, according to British holidaymakers. Pictured is the Costa Brava
The survey of UK adults was carried out by the Post Office, which pointed out that high-ranking Turkey is one of the few destinations where sterling will stretch further than last year.
Britons changing £500 can expect to receive over 50 per cent more in Turkish lira – the equivalent of almost £167 extra – for their pounds.
Bulgaria, long regarded as a bargain destination and which regularly tops the Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer for its cheapness, does not make the best-value top 10, as voted for by British holidaymakers who have visited the country.
With an 80 per cent ‘good value rating’, the country can only manage 12th position, six places below its more expensive Balkan rival Croatia (fifth), rated good value by 86 per cent of people who had holidayed there.
Mexico (seventh, 85 per cent) achieved the highest number of approval ratings by long-haul holidaymakers who had visited the country.
Greece comes third in the ranking of best-value foreign destinations. Pictured is the Greek island of Santorini
However, holidaymakers travelling to destinations there such as Cancun and Riviera Maya will need to factor in a rise in the value of the Mexican peso, the Post Office warns. It means they will get around £70 less (-12.2 per cent) to spend when they change £500. Compared with this, sterling will buy just 3.8 per cent fewer Thai baht (-£19.83).
The destinations receiving the lowest good value ratings are Dubai (44 per cent) and Scandinavia (42 per cent). However, British visitors to Scandinavian countries will get more for their money this year because sterling is up 4.7 per cent year on year against the Swedish kronor (£22.42), 2.6 per cent against the Norwegian krone (+£12.59) and 1.6 per cent against the Danish kroner (+£7.88).
The Post Office survey also asked respondents to rate destinations for value that they’d not visited.
Mexico (seventh, 85 per cent) achieved the highest number of approval ratings by long-haul British holidaymakers who had visited the country. Pictured is the country’s Cancun coast
This ranking is topped by Greece (89 per cent), Portugal (89 per cent) and Bulgaria (89 per cent).
Nick Boden, Head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘Sterling’s fall in value makes it even more important for people planning trips to consider the costs they will face in resorts abroad before they take the plunge and book a holiday.
‘While they weigh up the cost of flights and accommodation or package deals, they will need to watch what is happening with sterling as that will make a sizeable difference to the overall cost of their holiday. By choosing destinations like Turkey or Bulgaria in Europe or Thailand or Mexico further afield, they could save themselves money.’
HOLIDAY SPOTS RANKED FOR VALUE, FROM SPAIN TO DUBAI
Spain mainland 92%
Canary Islands 91%
Greece 89%
Turkey 88%
Portugal 88%
Croatia 86%
Balearic Islands 86%
Mexico 85%
Thailand 83%
Malta 83%
Cyprus 81%
Bulgaria 80%
South Africa 76%
Sri Lanka 75%
Caribbean 74%
Canada 74%
Italy 73%
USA 72%
Kenya 71%
New Zealand 71%
Australia 62%
France 62%
Mauritius 60%
Vietnam 59%
Dubai 44%
Scandinavia 42%
Source: Post Office survey of British holidaymakers asked to rate destinations they’d visited for value
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