The busiest day of the year for travel agents means tens of thousands will book holidays, but some countries will afford Brits more luxuries than others
With “Sunshine Saturday” landing this weekend, thousands of Brits are expected to book their holidays on the first weekend of the year as they search for light at the end of January’s tunnel.
However, with the festive period bleeding households dry, those seeking a getaway may want to know where they can get the most bang for their buck.
New data has revealed the holiday hotspots where the pound has risen most in value compared to this time last year. It could be the year of jet-setting for holidaymakers as sterling strengthened against two-thirds of the most popular holiday currencies in 2024.
If Giza’s pyramids weren’t on your 2025 bucket list, it may be time to add them in, as Egypt has come out on top of the places where Brits will get the most for their money. Sterling has soared by 62 per cent in the North African tourist hotspot over the past year, according to analysis by No 1 Currency.
Argentina comes in at second for the hotspots where the pound will get you furthest followed by Turkey and Mexico. UK travellers’ spending power has been boosted dramatically in Argentina where it is up by 25.6 per cent, as well as the affordable favourite Mexico, up 18.5 per cent and Turkey, up by 18 per cent.
Exchange rates yo-yoed in 2024 following election years in the US and Britain, but sterling ended the year higher against 36 out of the 54 most in-demand foreign currencies and up by 10 per cent or more against one in five currencies.
Simon Phillips, Managing Director of No1 Currency, told the Mirror: “ Our research shows that while sterling surged following Labour’s sweeping election victory in July, its fortunes were more mixed in the second half of 2024. The pound ended the year up against two thirds of our most popular foreign currencies, boosting the spending power of anyone planning a trip to dozens of holiday hotspots including Egypt, Mexico and Turkey.”
Equally, the EU’s single currency has been weighed down in recent months so the pound ended 2024 worth 5 per cent more against the Euro than it was at the start of the year.
However many holidaymakers hoping to escape Britain’s January chill will find their pounds don’t stretch as far as they did a year ago. Despite sterling ending the year higher against 36 out of the 54 most in-demand foreign currencies and up by 10 per cent or more against one in five currencies, some winter favourites such as Dubai, Sri Lanka and Thailand have become more expensive.
Sterling has slumped against the currencies of several destinations famed for their winter sun, including Sri Lanka, down 10.6 per cent, Thailand, down 2.2 per cent, and Dubai down 1.7 per cent.
The pound has dropped nearly a fifth against the Kenyan Shilling, down by 18.4 per cent, meaning that anyone dreaming of taking a safari in 2025 to see Kenya’s famous Big Game will need a bigger budget than they did a year ago.
Also on the list for increased value of the pound are South Korea, where its up 12.3 per cent against the Won, Colombia, where its up 12.3 per cent against the Peso, and Hungary where rates are up 12.2 per cent against the Forint. The pound is up 11.6 per cent in Chile and in New Zeland, Japan and Norway the pound has increased against local currencies at over 10 per cent.
But, holidaymakers are urged to use discretion when buying their holiday pennies and avoid airport exchange rates. Phillips said: “Wherever you’ve got in mind for your 2025 getaway, remember that cash is your friend abroad. Using foreign currency – notes and coins – helps you keep track of your spending and avoid unexpected card charges.
“The price you see is the price you’ll pay, and cash is still king in many countries – so you can be sure it will be accepted everywhere.
“However don’t forget that exchange rates can differ a lot between different travel money providers, so make sure you shop around to get the most competitive quotes and never leave it to the airport to pick up your holiday money.”
