Travel: Meltdown makes Asia a paradise for tourists

The Asian economic crisis has sent prices plunging throughout the region. Beers can be had for as little as 20p, a Big Mac and fries for 35p, and a villa for pounds 60 a night. Steven Vines samples the goods on offer.

The idea of a summer holiday in Bali must have seemed far too expensive for the average British tourist. No longer. The Indonesian currency has lost more than half its value against the pound in the past year, making Indonesia one of the bargain-basement destinations of the decade.

A villa with private swimming pool, big enough to accommodate a family, can be had for little more than pounds 60 per night. While lounging by the pool you could be sipping an acceptable locally brewed beer for just 20p per bottle. In a bar the price rises to about 50p.

A reasonable European meal can be had in restaurants for around pounds 4 a head, while an Indonesian meal with piles of satay, curries and vegetables would be about pounds 2. If the children have a craving for a Big Mac and fries, a 35p price-tag will hardly prove an obstacle.

Then there is what to take home as gifts or trophies from the visit. For around pounds 6.50 you can purchase a distinctively Indonesian ikat rug.

Most Indonesian hotels fix their prices in US dollars and so, in general, accommodation is not so much of a bargain as everything else. However, prices are hardly demanding. A new five-star hotel has just opened in the capital, Jakarta, and is offering rooms at just below pounds 66 per night. Room rates at decent, but less luxurious three-star hotels can be had for as little as pounds 30.

Indonesia is not alone in offering outstanding bargains. The meltdown across the region has left few countries untouched. The most popular Asian tourist destination is Thailand, where the currency has halved in value over the past year. Not only has it gone down but the whole country seems to be on sale. "The big shopping centres need the cash flow," says Wiwatchai Boonyapak, of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok. Just before the new year TAT organised a "Thailand Grand Sale", which brought prices to new lows.

In Thai markets, shirts are going at pounds 1.50 and silk blouses can be had for little more than pounds 2. Even the best Thai clothing is half-price. Jim Thompson ties start at just over pounds 6 and exquisite silk blouses from the same source cost just over pounds 30.

Eating out in Thailand has never been expensive - but now it is ludicrously cheap. A meal in a first-class restaurant will only cost about pounds 9 per head. At less fancy places where the food is still good, expect to pay around pounds 4.

The real bargains are in hotel-room prices. It is now high season on the island of Phuket but rooms in four-star hotels cost no more than pounds 25 a night. When the high season ends next month, rooms will be on offer for about half this amount. One of Thailand's biggest hotel chains, the Amari group, is offering rooms for the first night at around pounds 25. The second night is free.

In Malaysia, where the currency has fallen in value by over 40 per cent, the bargain basement is not quite as full as elsewhere but there is plenty of good value. Most hotels are offering special rates at the moment, says Adlina Borhan, the spokeswoman for the Hilton Hotel group in Malaysia. She gives the example of the Hilton Hotel in Sarawak, where room rates have gone down to about pounds 30. "Hotels are trying to push companies to have meetings in Malaysia", she says, "it's definitely cheaper here".

A meal at one of Malaysia's eat-till-you-drop buffets cost no more than pounds 4 per head in a restaurant. Washing down the buffet with a beer would set you back no more than 90p. Malaysia just beats Thailand in the Big Mac price stakes, offering its version at under 50p.

It all makes Benidorm look a tad pricey.