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Britons rotation to North Africa for contemptible breaks - Cable.co.uk

Cable.co.uk

Britons curve to North Africa for shoddy breaks - Cable.co.uk With the pound now buying €1.06 or $1.41 at tourist exchanges compared to €1.32 and $1.38 a year ago, destinations such as Spain and the US have seen a sharp decline in British visitors. In contrast, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco have seen a surge in visitors, as have non-euro destinations such as Turkey and Bulgaria, where the cost of living is low and the value of the pound has fallen by only five per cent since 2007. Cheapflights today reported that flight searches this month for Turkey are up 22 per cent and for Egypt by 13 per cent on the same period last year. While searches for traditional favourites, such as Tenerife, Malaga, Orlando and New York are down by up to 21 per cent on 2007. In December last year ten eurozone destinations were among its top 15 flight searches, compared with just six this year, with the Spanish destinations of Majorca, Gran Canaria and Barcelona among those to have fallen out of favour. Scheduled flights to Europe and North America fell by more than nine per cent. Least affected were long-haul services where passenger numbers were down by 3.1 per cent. South Africa, where prices are five per cent cheaper and New Zealand where the pound has stayed level, currently offer the best value for travellers' pounds. Demand for domestic breaks is also up due to the weak pound, according to Hoseasons, one of the largest UK operators. Today it reported a 20 per cent rise in bookings for 2009. A spokesman for BAA said the decline in international air traffic was accelerated by industrial action. The type of holidays that British travellers are taking is also changing. Ski operators have reported a rise in bookings for all-inclusive package or chalet holidays, where it is easier to stick to a budget. Thomson and First Choice report that Britons are increasingly taking ten-day breaks instead of the traditional fortnight, to avoid taking more than a week off work. The internet research group Hitwise has reported a sharp rise over the past year in online searches for camping holidays, and a rapid decline in those looking for villas. Car hire dealsTenerife £120, Majorca £101 & Faro £88 prices based 1 week hire in March. Find out more More car hire dealsTelegraph offersLate deals, special offers and travel classifieds. Find out moreTravel insuranceInsurance Cover from £8.99 Find out more Australia's Northern TerritoryWhatever your agenda, Australia's stunning Northern Territory has an experience for everyone. AdvertisementAdvertiser Links TravelHeaven and hellThe Sugababe Heidi Range shares her best and worst travel stories. PERSONAL FINANCEMichael Winner"I'm the only man ever to get a discount at Marks & Spencer".