Forget holidays at home and cut-price breaks to Turkey, if you’re looking for value for money the Spanish Costas are the most affordable destination in Europe.
British holidaymakers will get more for their cash on the Iberian Peninsula than any other hotspot, with prices in Spain dipping to a four-year low, according to a new survey.
Recession-hit Spain has slashed prices after the number of Britons visiting the country dropped by 15 to 20 per cent, due to the double whammy of financial woes at home and the buoyant euro.
Back in business: The Costas have dropped prices to tempt back tourists
Hotels, food and other everyday items are now more affordable in Spain than in any other holiday destination.
A three-course evening meal on the Costa del Sol costs on average £23.58 compared to £37.74 in Greece and £43.86 in the Turkish resort of Marmaris.
And when it comes to other items such as suncream, a bottle of beer, insect repellent and soft drinks, Spain’s Costas also come out on top, with prices often half those found in other holiday resorts.
According to the poll by Post Office Travel Money, Miami is the most expensive destination, with a meal and nine everyday items averaging a whopping £92.81.
The same items cost more than £80 in France and Italy and more than £70 in Brighton, Egypt and Cyprus. In Spain they came to just £42.15.
After years of high prices and low visitor numbers, Spain is now 36 per cent cheaper than it was in 2007.
Its affordability is making it a favourite holiday destination with Britons once more, with visitor numbers up 11 per cent year on year for 2011.
| Country | Resort | Average price of goods |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Costa del Sol | £42.15 |
| Bulgaria | Sunny Beach | £44.79 |
| Portugal | Algarve | £49.63 |
| Greece | Corfu | £58.87 |
| Dubai | Jumeirah | £59.37 |
| Malta | Various | £68.97 |
| Turkey | Marmaris | £69.51 |
| Cyprus | Various | £70.74 |
| Croatia | Kvarner | £73.55 |
| UK | Brighton | £77.01 |
| Egypt | El Gouna | £78.30 |
| France | Brittany | £81.48 |
| Italy | Sorrento | £88.21 |
| USA | Miami | £92.81 |
‘As we can see from the Post Office figures, Spain is offering extremely good value and it’s not just restaurateurs dropping prices, but hoteliers as well,’ said Sean Tipton, spokesperson for ABTA The Travel Association.
‘The pound has rallied against the euro, but the exchange rate problem has been completely wiped out by the low prices being offered.
‘Spain should be congratulated for recognising the problem and doing all it can to change it and encourage holidaymakers back.’
Other countries are now following Spain’s lead and dropping their prices to boost tourism.
Turkey has dropped prices by 13 per cent, Egypt by 12 per cent and Greece and Miami by 10 and six per cent respectively.
Sarah Munro, Post Office head of Travel Money, said: ‘This year’s barometer shows that prices are pretty competitive in the top European holiday destinations even though sterling remains unpredictable.
‘While Spain in undoubtedly best value overall, the healthy price fall in Greece means that this traditional favourite can once again be considered a good bet for wallet-watching holidaymakers.’
Read more: The Daily Mail
