The weak pound causing concern for Costa Blanca tourist chiefs

The weak pound causing concern for Costa Blanca tourist chiefs
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By h.b. - Nov 20, 2008 - 8:27 AM

Two tourists on Benidorm beach - Archive Photo EFE

The 20% revaluation of the currency has led to the fear that many British tourists will choose non-Euro destinations next summer.

Hoteliers on the Costa Blanca have voiced fears that British tourists will chose Egypt or Turkey this year instead of Spain because of the 20% fall in the value of the pound against the Euro. A Euro was worth 67 pence in June, and is now up to 81 pence.

The regional government and tourist board has said they will be spending more on advertising the Costa Blanca and Benidorm brands in Britain this winter, and will be supporting the smaller independent tour operators who work with the low-cost airlines to try and keep numbers up. New promotions are also planned for the first time in Liverpool and Birmingham.

The British market represents 2.5 million tourists for the Costa Blanca, of which 90% stay in hotels, but already the largest operator, the TUI group of Thomson and First Choice has announced a 27% reduction in capacity in places to the Costa Blanca for summer 2009.

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