Turkey is more expensive than Spain for summer holidays

Holidaymakers will need more spending money for a trip to Turkey than for a holiday in Spain this year, according to a new survey by the Post Office (www.postoffice.co.uk).

Its Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer found that although holidaymakers aren't getting any more euros for their pounds this year, prices across Europe have fallen.

In contrast, the Turkish lira has fallen more than seven per cent in the past year but the cost of basic holiday essentials such as sun lotion food and drink has risen more than 40 per cent.

Post Office Head of Travel Money Sarah Munro said: Turkey is unlikely to be the cheap destination that it was just a couple of years ago when the Post Office barometer identified the country as a best buy.

"For 2010 our shopping basket of eight tourist staples indicates that Turkey is now 68 per cent more expensive than Spain

"The eurozone looks to be striking back after the battering its resorts took in 2009 when Post Office euro sales were down over 14 per cent."

Hungary Thailand and Bulgaria are the three cheapest holiday destinations according to the Post Office, while Jamaica, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are better value than last year due to the devaluation of their currencies.

It is the second year running that Hungary has been the cheapest country. Its currency, the forint, is worth nine per cent less than a year ago, making it a good bet for a city break.

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