Press Release
18 May 2023
M&S TRAVEL MONEY REVEALS THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS THAT COULD SAVE FAMILIES £1000s THIS HALF-TERM
- A family of four could save an average of £788 on the cost of a half-term holiday by considering alternative destinations to popular family holiday locations, with the biggest saving coming in at more than £2,000.
Ahead of the upcoming half-term break, M&S Travel Money’s best value holiday destinations research shows that families could save as much as £2,147 by considering some budget-saving alternatve destinations.
While the Greek Islands of Crete and Corfu are both surrounded by azure blue seas and offer white sandy beaches, the M&S Travel Money research revealed that a break in the city of Corfu this half-term came in at over £500 less per person than Heraklion in Crete, saving as much as £2,147 for a family of four (£782 vs £1,319 per person).
Families looking to travel further afield, might consider a trip to family-friendly Florida, however by switching the pristine beaches and art-deco architecture of Miami for a fun-filled trip to Orlando, they could save more than £1,000 per family (£1194 vs £1449 per person).
With Florida having a flight time of more than nine hours, families looking for a shorter trip this half-term, could consider a trip to Mediterranean favourite, Spain. By opting for a holiday to the city of Barcelona – offering both a vibrant culture and sandy beaches – families could save nearly £300, compared to a trip to Palma, the capital of Spanish island, Mallorca (£926 vs £999 per person).
If considering a trip to Cyrpus, families could look at Larnaca over popular Paphos to save almost £280 (£279) for their family break over the course of the week (£1006 vs £1076 per person). Flights to Larnaca are £375 cheaper than Phaphos.
For those searching for a vacation just across the channel, it was another city break where the most savings could be made. By swapping out a beach holiday to Nice for a week rich in culture, history and fun, in the country’s capital, Paris, holidaymakers could not only save over £200 per family (£202), but also nearly halve their flight time (£891 vs £941 per person).
Nic Moran, from M&S Travel Money, said: “We understand how important it is that families make the most of their holiday budget this half-term and our research shows that by making some simple swaps, families could save thousands, while still enjoying the the culture and cuisine they are looking for, in the country they would like to visit.”
| DESTINATION PAIR | 2023 HOLIDAY COST PER FAMILY | TOTAL COST SAVING PER FAMILY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWAP ONE | BUDGET BREAKER Heraklion, Crete (Greece) |
£5,274 | £2,147 |
| BUDGET SAVER Corfu (Greece) |
£3,127 | ||
| SWAP TWO | BUDGET BREAKER Miami, Florida (USA) |
£5,794 | £1,018 |
| BUDGET SAVER Orlando, Florida (USA) |
£4,776 | ||
| SWAP THREE | BUDGET BREAKER Palma, Mallorca (Spain) |
£3,995 | £291 |
| BUDGET SAVER Barcelona (Spain) |
£3,704 | ||
| SWAP FOUR | BUDGET BREAKER Barcelona (Spain) |
£5,944 | £476 |
| BUDGET SAVER Valletta (Malta) |
£5,468 | ||
| SWAP FIVE | BUDGET BREAKER Nice (France) |
£3,764 | £202 |
| BUDGET SAVER Paris (France) |
£3,562 | ||
Nic’s top travel money tips:
- Consider alternative airports: Flights to airports slightly outside of the destination you’re planning to visit sometimes work out cheaper – but be sure to factor in the cost of travelling to and from the area
- Travel outside of peak hours: If you can travel at less in-demand times (such as early in the morning or late at night) you may be able to snap up a bargain
- Plan spending money early: Get your spending money organised ahead of time; order your currency online, or visit a high street bureau de change, to secure a rate in advance – and travel with both local currency and a credit card, to ensure you’re covered for all eventualities
- Don’t leave yourself short when it comes to currency: ensure you have enough cash for snacks, taxis and tipping, ATMs may not always be readily available
The M&S in-store travel money bureaux, alongside its euro and dollar Click & Collect travel money service, means an M&S currency service is available in more than 450 M&S stores. The service offers a Click & Collect facility, so customers can order using their Smartphone or tablet – whether at home or in store – and collect in as little as 15 minutes.
ENDS
For more information about the research, please contact:
For more information about M&S Bank, please contact:
Louise Wheble on 079204 12086 / louise.wheble@mandsbank.com
Nikki Backler on 079204 17652 / nikki.backler@mandsbank.com
Note to editors:
All holiday costs are for four people (two adults, two children), for a six-night stay from 27 May to 3 June, and include six nights’ accommodation, round-trip flights to and from London, six evening meals at restaurants, and one walking tour. All flights/accommodation etc. are booked from 27 May to 3 June. All flights represent the cheapest direct flight cost (wherever possible), departing from any London airport.
Alex Grayson on 07384 793347 / alexandra.grayson@mandsbank.com
About M&S Bank
M&S Bank (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services plc) launched in 2012 on the foundations of M&S Money, which was established in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer plc. In November 2004, HSBC bought 100 per cent of the share capital of Marks and Spencer Retail Financial Services Holdings Limited.
Today, M&S Bank operates as a joint venture arrangement between HSBC and Marks & Spencer, however, M&S Bank has its own banking licence and its own Board.
M&S Bank offers a broad range of financial products, including the M&S Credit Card, and a range of loans, savings and general insurance products, while its travel money service offers one of the widest ranges of currencies available on the high street.
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