Stronger sterling boosts value for British Dubai holidaymakers
Survey found emirate was the cheapest long haul beach resort for British travellers
The strength in the pound sterling over the last year has meant Dubai is one of the best long haul destinations for British holidaymakers, according to a survey by Post Office Travel Money this week.
Over the last year, the British currency was 4.5 percent stronger against the UAE dirham – which is pegged to the US dollar – according to the report.
“Dubai emerges from the survey as the cheapest long haul beach resort at £1,081 [$1,403] per person for a week’s holiday,” the Post Office survey found.
According to the survey, the best value locations for British travellers, from a currency perspective, were Mauritius and Jamaica, with sterling improving in value by 11 percent against the Mauritius rupee and by 8.4 percent against the Jamaican dollar.
Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Sterling is now much stronger than in the summer and that spells good news for holidaymakers. Compared with a year ago, UK tourists visiting almost every country worldwide can expect to get more foreign cash for their pounds and in Europe this currently equates to £31 extra for every £500 changed into euros.
“However, our latest research makes it clear that there are big price variations between long and short haul holiday destinations so it is a good idea to do some homework before booking to check for the best value packages and the lowest resort costs,” he added.
“Like Orlando, the emirate benefited from the low cost of a one-week holiday package in early January. However, despite the fact that sterling currently buys 4.5 percent more UAE dirham than a year ago, meals and drinks in Dubai were the most expensive of the 12 destinations surveyed at £392 per person. Visitors to Dubai might therefore, says Post Office Travel Money, be better off choosing an all-inclusive resort,” the survey added.
All-inclusive packages are becoming more popular in Dubai. In June, Dukes The Palm announced the launch of its first-ever all-inclusive package, starting from AED1,000 ($272).
This month, a Palm Jumeirah hotel also announced it is set to transform into an exclusively all-inclusive resort from January. All guests staying at Rixos the Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites will receive the all-inclusive experience, which includes a range of premium facilities and services, a statement said.
