United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Holidaymakers snap up euros due to strong pound
Britons are rushing to buy foreign currency weeks before they travel due a surge in the strength of the pound.
Thomas Cook said the number of customers buying euros during the end of February and early March was up by a third on the same time last year.
Its customers were also buying more, leading to a rise in sales values of 65%. The Post Office said its online sales of euros were up by more than half, Saga Travel said between February and April euro sales were double that seen in 2014 and Asda Money saw a rise of 20%.
Just in the past two weeks, Thomas Cook has sold £22.8 million of euros.
Its head of foreign exchange Fraser Millar told the BBC: "Some customers are forward buying for holidays they have already booked, while others are buying now before they have even booked their holiday."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
Royal Caribbean issues Legionnaires’ disease warning
Qatar Airways adding Manchester flights
Jet2 unveils Samos as new Greek destination for summer 2026
EU entry-exit system delayed again
ATC strike in Greece could disrupt flights this week