subject: Majorca Holidays Are Costing Less [print this page] Just released figures from a travel survey show that holidaymakers can expect to pay less on their trip than a year ago in Europe - while other popular destinations have seen a rise.
The survey - produced by the Post Office's travel services - showed that the costs of what a typical tourist will buy while on holiday fell in Spain, and also in Portugal.
Some areas popular with British holidaymakers saw a rise in prices, notably France, Italy and Turkey.
Spain and Portugal have cut prices in an effort to win back tourists who have opted during the recession for cheaper destinations including Turkey, and given the rise in Turkish prices it might not be too long before it's no longer regarded as a budget holiday destination, unless a full board trip is booked.
The twelve items the Post Office survey included across the popular holiday destinations included a family meal, suntan lotion, sun lounger hire, a bottle of beer and the price of a cup of coffee - typical items bought on a family holiday unless it was taken full board.
The cheapest destination was Albufeira, on Portugal's Algarve, while Brittany in France and Sorrento in Italy came out as the most expensive.
Spanish prices have dropped in the last year for tourists. Perennial favourite Majorca for example was cheaper than Turkey, one of the so called cheap destinations that has seen the number of Majorca holidays drop over the last couple of years.
Coupled with low cost airfares and a flight time of less than two hours from UK airports, a drift away from the island to cheaper destinations could well be reversed in 2011, and while some might want all inclusive deals where Turkey might work out cheaper for the majority of tourists who go half board or bed and breakfast, the deals that some of the hotels in Majorca will be offering will be tempting.
Once on the island, how much can holidaymakers expect to pay for everyday items, compared to supposedly less expensive Turkey?
A cup of coffee will cost 1.30, while in Turkey it is typically 1.60. A beer is similar in price - 1.60 in Majorca against 1.65 but for those who prefer a soft drink to alcohol the difference is bigger, 1.35 against 2.30 - important for family holidays with young children who can get through quite a few drinks on a warm day, and given the Majorca weather that's often.
Eating out can take a big chunk out of a family's holiday spending money, and Majorca's 43.24 compares well with Turkey's 70.83 - and a treat like an ice cream is also less at 1.53 against 2.31
It's not just the flights to Majorca that are cheaper and take less time than Turkey, it's everyday spending items for the typical family holiday abroad where Majorca shines.
by: Henry Ashworth
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