Holiday Extras Launches Holiday Swap Index

Tuesday, Oct 18, 2022 0

Beat the cost of living crisis and save on next year’s holiday with new Holiday Swap Index by Holiday Extras

With the nation planning next year’s holidays to a backdrop of the falling pound and cost of living crisis, a new holiday destination index has been launched to help holidaymakers make their money go further and get more value out of their next big break.

Created by Holiday Extras, the UK market leader in holiday extras, the Holiday Swap Index shows alternatives to some of the most popular international destinations for UK holidaymakers. It follows research^[1] by the brand that found that 54% of travellers would spend more time researching destinations to make sure they were getting the most value out of every trip, and that half (49%) plan to swap to cheaper destinations.

Taking the exchange rate, flight time and climate into consideration, the index recommends like-for-like locations that will give sun-seekers everything they love in their summer escapes, in destinations where their money will go quite a bit further. The holiday swap suggestions include:

Skiing: try Borovets (Bulgaria) or Białka Tatrzańska (Poland)

While it’s not in the nature of skiing to come cheap, those hoping to hit the slopes could try Borovets in the Bulgarian Rila Mountains or hit the slopes in Poland’s Białka Tatrzańska.

In Bulgaria, prices are generally lower than that inside the Eurozone while the resort itself is set in stunning forest with red runs and above available to skiers.

With Poland also outside the Eurozone, prices are lower than in your more common skiing destination counties. Whizz Air, Ryanair and Easyjet fly direct in around 90 minutes, you could easily enjoy the slopes in Białka Tatrzańska, widely regarded as the beginner’s budget resort of choice.

The Canaries or Balearics: try Senegal

With TUI’s new route from London to Dakar, holidaymakers can be soaking up Senegal’s sunshine in just five hours – only an extra half hour from Tenerife or Gran Canaria. One of the safest countries for tourists in West Africa, package holidays to Senegal allow holidaymakers to enjoy the luxuries of their resort or explore a country that Lonely Planet calls “simultaneously exhilarating and tranquil”.

Whilst package holidays are priced much as you’d expect, the West African currency – CFA Francs – is up against the pound and makes for an affordable exotic break.

Italian city breaks: try Zadar in Croatia or Luxor in Egypt

With Croatia not planning to move to the euro until January 2023, a late trip to Zadar will be cheaper than escaping to Italy. Zadar, a quieter, lesser-known Croat city than Dubrovnik, is just over two hours away and is a great budget friendly alternative.

If you’re willing to travel slightly further to get your fill of an ancient culture and see famous ruins, Egypt is the perfect switch destination. The impressive temples, reliable weather and the fact your money will go a lot further, will make the five-hour direct flight to Luxor more than worth it.

Base yourself at a Nile resort in Luxor and you will have a number of options to go and visit including the temples of the Valley of the Queens, the Karnak Temple Complex, or you could take a hot-air balloon over the Sahara Desert.

Seamus McCauley, Editor-in-Chief at Holiday Extras, explains:

“While the cost of living challenge is something that everyone will keep in mind when planning their holiday, the economic downturn hasn’t dented the country’s enthusiasm to get away – they will just be more diligent and considered with where they go.

“The Holiday Swap Index has been designed to help holidaymakers find viable alternatives to their usual holiday destination, where they can both explore a new setting and get better value for money – with us doing all the hard work for them.”