June 2012
Featured in this insight: Financial services, Sports & physical activity
Poll shows beach holiday abroad 25 percent cheaper than London during Olympics: A poll of more than 2,000 adults by M&S Money has found that many Britons plan beach getaways during the first week of the Olympics as opposed to staying in London.
This decision will see people saving 25% - while a beach trip to popular overseas destinations will cost an average of £1,298 in the week from July 28 to August 4, the same week in London, including spending money, will set Britons back on average £1,631.
The survey also found that some the lowest prices for a seven-day break among 10 popular destinations abroad are Alicante in Spain at £927 and Bodrum in Turkey at £1,102.
Very few destinations were more expensive than staying in London for a week – these were Bridgetown in Barbados (£1,836) and Daytona Beach in Florida (£2,034).
M&S said the cost of staying in London is particularly high during the Olympics because of the large amount of spending money needed, which was set at £596 a week on average.
Meanwhile, many of the people polled said that they are setting their holiday spending money at a budget of £287 per week.
Jane Lawson, M&S Money's Travel Money Head, commented: "With the cost of activities and eating out in the UK relatively high and favourable foreign exchange rates helping to make your money go further abroad, a holiday at home is not always the most affordable option."
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