As schools break up for the summer, research for the tenth Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report has revealed that families heading to European hotspots can look forward to seeing their pounds stretch further in two-thirds of the destinations surveyed for the annual Beach Barometer cost comparison.
This found that prices for 13 family items will be up to 36% cheaper than last year, although its consumer research suggests increased spending on meals and drinks and kids? beach items may wipe out some of that benefit.
After comparing costs in 15 popular European resort areas, Post Office researchers found that prices have fallen since last July in Turkey, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, the Balearic Islands, South of France and Italy.
A drop in local prices and a small year-on-year rise in the value of sterling against the euro and other European currencies accounts for the increased spending power for UK holidaymakers.
A much bigger slump in the value of the Turkish lira against sterling means Marmaris has emerged as this summer?s bargain buy. Prices have fallen 36% to ?79.81 for the barometer basket, which includes a family meal, drinks, suncream, insect repellent and beach items ranging from buckets & spades, lilos and ice-creams to pedalo and banana boat rides.
Although Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (?83.99) has lost the top value Beach Barometer spot to Marmaris, prices there have fallen by 6.4% and the Black Sea resort offers by far the cheapest family meal price at ?33.69 for two adults and two children. This is less than half the cost in nine other destinations including Mallorca, the Algarve and Ibiza.
