Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak

This article is about “Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak”, we hope to bring more articles about “Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak” in the near future:

For anyone visiting Phuket in Thailand, an obvious point of concern is how much things will cost. Thailand has always been a relatively cheap place to go for a holiday. As a destination, Phuket is favored by everyone from Brits to Israelis. But the global economic crisis coupled with the effects of negative media coverage on Thailand has meant that less people are visiting the country. Yet perhaps bigger problem is today’s exchange rate.

When I first arrived in Thailand, about four years ago, the pound sterling was changing at one to 75 baht. That was a decent exchange rate and it meant that my money went far, be it in Bangkok or Phuket. Now, I find myself in Phuket looking at an exchange rate that defies believe. The pound sterling is now trading at one to 52 baht. That’s a decline of almost one third in just a few years.

Prices in Thailand have not changed dramatically in that time. Expats living in the country certainly wouldn’t have noticed too much of a difference, but for people visiting from the United Kingdom, having one third less to spend than usual is a big change.

It isn’t, however, that the baht has become especially strong. What is happening is that the pound is incredibly weak. It’s so weak that at the moment it’s trading about one for one with the euro, which makes trips to Europe unappealing for any British people. The Brits are staying home. Money is tight enough as it is without the exchange rates working against people.

The Americans are in a similar situation. The dollar has typically been trading at about one to 35 baht in the past few years. Right now, it’s down to one to 22 baht. Again, that’s a decline of about one third. Ultimately, people will travel to Thailand regardless of political turmoil and internal squabbling. But these people are not going to travel if they don’t have the money to do so.

With it being so close to 50 baht to the pound, changing money from sterling to baht is almost financial suicide. Conversely, it’s not a bad time for British people to be paid in baht. As an example, I recently wired a large sum of baht to the UK at an exchange rate of 52 baht to the pound. That’s about as low as it is going to get and it’s difficult to trust the baht in the long run, whereas the pound is a traditionally strong currency.

For all of us in Phuket and the rest of Thailand, we can only hope that 2009 brings more favorable exchange rates against the baht. The pound and the dollar have taken some really big knocks this year and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. The tourism industry in Phuket needs all the help it can get at the moment, but some things are out of the control of the island and its people.

For the latest news about Phuket, log on to Phuket Vogue for all the gossip from Patong to Karon.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Crook


More info about Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak:

Why is sterling suddenly so weak? | This is Money

Your complete guide to personal finance and investing with news, advice, guides and opinion from the financial website of the year – This is Money

Marine News

International News and analysis on current events, business, finance, economy, sports and more. Searchable news in 44 languages from WorldNews Network and Archive …

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Moneybox | Have Your Say: Currencies

As the pound continues to plunge against a range of currencies – where are you planning to go on holiday and are your reasons economic?

N.Y.C. TRANSIT POLICE FLORIDA REUNION WEB PAGE – MY LINKS

I WROTE AN EXTENSIVE E MAIL ON YOUR WEBSITE ABOUT WHERE ARE THEY NOW DONT KNOW … depressing story in the Where are they now about retirement I figured I’d …

World News

Latest headlines from WN Network. WorldNews delivers latest Breaking news including World News, U.S., politics, business, entertainment, science, weather …

Maybe the Buck Loses the Next Race to the Bottom | Forex Blog

Now that global recovery is gaining momentum, according to the pundits, and risk appetite is back on the table, maybe the US dollar index is due for correction. … Since 1992, however, neither the Bank of England nor the Treasury has made any effort to â??defendâ? any particular value of sterling â?? and the chances of the British authorities suddenly deciding to do so in the future are virtually nil. And as long as the Bank keeps short-term rates near zero, long-term bond …

RUBEN STUDDARD – CELEBRATE ME HOME LYRICS

Ruben Studdard Celebrate Me Home lyrics . These Celebrate Me Home lyrics are performed by Ruben StuddardHome for the holidays I believe I’ve missed e

Weak Pound: So What? – The Source – WSJ

So how worried should investors in sterling-denominated equity be about the pound’s latest long death spiral? Well, not very much at all, perhaps. London’s blue-chip index, the FTSE 100, is replete with firms whose boards like a nice, …

kucinich.us – A special holiday message from Dennis

Dennis Kucinich is a Congressman from the 10th district in Ohio … So I want to thank you for remembering our family throughout the year — [Dennis replaces the photo on the …

Weak pound ends British love affair with French holiday homes …

Brits are becoming more cautious about investing in French vacations, as the economic crisis is changing tourism aroun… < Where to Live | Expatica France

Weak pound hits traditional holiday hotspots as travellers …

British travellers are ditching once popular Mediterranean hotspots in favour of destinations outside of the eurozone as the beleagured pound hits holiday spending.

Stheeman sees no risk of UK debt crisis as sterling slides – Telegraph.co.uk

height=
Stheeman sees no risk of UK debt crisis as sterling slides
Telegraph.co.uk
Well, Little England should have joined the Euro back then don’t you think? Just how is the Psyche of Essex man going to be affected when he goes on holiday

and more »

This post was mainly about Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak, you are welcomed to comment here about Where should I go on holiday now sterling is so weak.

Related Blogs


Your PC might be slow or have lots of errors like the blue screen or other Computer errors, you can call a technician to fix or repair your PC or you can use the best registry cleaner software that will fix your PC registry and will make your computer or laptop work faster and with no errors.
People got here while searching: weak currencies now for holidays - sterling weak holiday - where to go on holiday value of pound sterling.

If you feel this post didn't provide you with new/important information about: weak currencies now for holidays - sterling weak holiday - where to go on holiday value of pound sterling, please leave us a comment and write what information would you add about weak currencies now for holidays - sterling weak holiday - where to go on holiday value of pound sterling.

Comments are closed.