Brits rate holiday spots for value, with Spain, Greece and Bulgaria coming top, Dubai bottom


Brits rate holiday spots around the world for value, with Spain, Greece and Bulgaria coming top and Dubai at the bottom of the ranking

  • In a survey, 87% of UK holidaymakers voted for Spain as being good value
  • Greece and Bulgaria came joint second on the value front, with a score of 85%
  • The city of Dubai was deemed ‘poor value’ by 72% of those surveyed 

Spain has been voted the world’s best-value holiday spot by British tourists in a new nationwide poll.

In the survey, 87 per cent of holidaymakers said it offers the best bang for one’s buck.

Greece and Bulgaria came joint second on the value front, with a score of 85 per cent, while at the other end of the scale, Dubai was rated the worst value.  

Spain has been voted the world’s best-value holiday spot by British tourists in a new nationwide poll. Above, a view of the sweeping beach in Calpe, Valencia

The United Arab Emirates city was deemed ‘poor value’ by 72 per cent of those taking part in the survey, which was part of Post Office Travel Money’s 2019 Holiday Spending Report. 

Fewer than two in five (38 per cent) gave the emirate a ‘good value’ score.

Other spots on the map rated highly for being purse-friendly included Croatia (83 per cent), Portugal (82 per cent), Turkey (82 per cent), Thailand (82 per cent) and the Canary Islands (80 per cent).

With the pound-to-dollar exchange rate worse than it was a decade ago, America appeared lower on the value ranking.

Destinations were rated by UK holidaymakers on value for money

Destinations were rated by UK holidaymakers on value for money

It got 68 per cent, behind Mexico with a 74 per cent score.

Along with Dubai, the countries that were deemed most expensive to visit included Scandinavia, France and Italy. 

Researchers said traveller perceptions tallied with reality, as a recent Holiday Costs Barometer survey revealed Sorrento and Nice as two of the most expensive resorts. 

Another finding to come out of the Post Office Travel Money survey was the fact that most holidaymakers bust their budgets on trips abroad.

On an average budget of £717 per couple, two-thirds of those surveyed said they spent £184 (26 per cent) more than they intended. 

They also revealed that flights and resort costs were their biggest concerns before booking a break. 

More than three quarters (77 per cent) named the cost of resort meals, drinks and other items as a key factor when choosing a destination – second only to airline costs (81 per cent).

Dubai was rated the worst value destination by British holidaymakers. The United Arab Emirates city was deemed 'poor value' by 72 per cent of those surveyed

Dubai was rated the worst value destination by British holidaymakers. The United Arab Emirates city was deemed ‘poor value’ by 72 per cent of those surveyed

Commenting on the survey results Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘With the high levels of overspending revealed by this year’s report and the concerns expressed about resort costs, we urge holidaymakers to take the time to set a realistic budget so as not to risk getting caught short.

‘Changing enough cash before leaving home will save money in the long run and avoid costly fees for paying on credit and debit card or using ATMs abroad. 

‘If you are on a fixed budget the best advice to those who haven’t booked their trip yet is to do their homework by comparing our barometer costs and choose a resort where living costs are low.’

Two-thirds of holidaymakers say they still plan to travel abroad despite continuing uncertainty about the possible impact of Brexit on holiday budgets.