The pound is now worth more in these 29 holiday destinations
Over two thirds of the most popular vacation spots are cheaper than last year thanks to rise in sterling
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British holidaymakers will get more bang for their buck in over two thirds of the most popular holiday destinations compared to 2016 thanks to a stronger pound, reports a travel money specialist.
No1 Currency calculates that UK tourists are getting a better exchange rate this year on 29 currencies.
In 2016 the pound fell significantly in June, post-Brexit vote, and then again when Theresa May announced a hard Brexit agenda in October 2016.
The biggest growth since last year is against Turkish lire – the pound is worth 24 per cent more against this currency than in 2016. This is followed by Argentina, where the pound is worth 18 per cent more than the peso, and New Zealand, where sterling has increased by 11 per cent against the NZ dollar.
Simon Phillips, retail director at No1 Currency, said: “On the face of it, it’s been a rocky year for the pound.
“Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that in two-thirds of holiday hotspots, you can actually get more for your currency than you could a year ago. For those planning to get away to one of those destinations where the native currency has dropped by more than 5 per cent against sterling, it’ll feel like Christmas has come early."
He added: “On the whole, currencies in countries closer to home will cost you more than last year, yet countries further away will give you better rates – so although flights will be more expensive, your daily spending money could well go further.”
The pound is still struggling against the euro, down 3 per cent since last year. Zloty is one of the most expensive currencies for British tourists right now; the pound has fallen 9 per cent against the Polish currency.
No1 Currency's findings are based on the exchange rates on 30 November 2016 and 30 November 2017, as detailed on xe.com.
Holiday destinations where the pound has improved
| Country | Currency | Currency per Pound (2016) | Currency per Pound (2017) | Percentage increase/ decrease |
| Turkey | Turkish Lire | 4.29 | 5.30 | 23.5% |
| Argentina | Argentine Peso | 19.86 | 23.43 | 17.9% |
| New Zealand | NZ Dollar | 1.76 | 1.96 | 11.3% |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan Rupee | 185.57 | 206.47 | 11.2% |
| Costa Rica | Costa Rican Colon | 687.32 | 762.24 | 10.9% |
| Kenya | Kenyan Shilling | 127.18 | 138.47 | 8.8% |
| Philippines | Philippine Peso | 62.35 | 67.67 | 8.5% |
| USA | American Dollar | 1.24 | 1.34 | 8.0% |
| Cuba | Cuban Peso | 1.24 | 1.34 | 8.0% |
| Bahamas | Bahamian Dollar | 1.24 | 1.34 | 8.0% |
| Vietnam | Vietnamese Dong | 28372.39 | 30558.02 | 7.7% |
| Caribbean | Caribbean Dollar | 3.37 | 3.63 | 7.7% |
| Barbados | Barbadian | 2.49 | 2.68 | 7.6% |
| Fiji | Fijian Dollar | 2.60 | 2.79 | 7.3% |
| Egypt | Egyptian Pound | 22.31 | 23.78 | 6.5% |
| Cambodia | Cambodian Riel | 5095.85 | 5416.04 | 6.2% |
| Japan | Japanese Yen | 142.73 | 151.11 | 5.8% |
| Australia | Australian Dollar | 1.69 | 1.77 | 4.7% |
| Norway | Norwegian Krone | 10.64 | 11.16 | 4.8% |
| Jamaica | Jamaican Dollar | 161.37 | 168.85 | 4.6% |
| South Africa | South African R | 17.58 | 18.30 | 4.0% |
| Switzerland | Swiss Franc | 1.27 | 1.32 | 3.9% |
| Columbia | Colombian Peso | 3892.20 | 4043.42 | 3.8% |
| Canada | Canadian Dollar | 1.67 | 1.73 | 3.5% |
| Brazil | Brazilian Real | 4.22 | 4.37 | 3.5% |
| Peru | Peruvian Sol | 4.25 | 4.35 | 2.3% |
| India | Indian Rupee | 85.60 | 86.70 | 1.2% |
| Singapore | Singapore Dollar | 1.79 | 1.81 | 1.1% |
| Morocco | Moroccan Dirham | 12.57 | 12.67 | 0.7% |
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