Brexit: Travel expert Simon Calder warns of passport changes
Britons are staying true to the European Union, with a third vowing to always holiday within its borders. A survey of 2,000 holidaymakers showed 33 per cent were not prepared to venture elsewhere - despite Brexit causing chaos for passport validity and currency rates. The findings by MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk also found a tenth of individuals simply had no interest in travelling to non EU territories. One in one then followed up nay stating they don’t think they ever will take such a trip.
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A total of 53 per cent also claimed they can not afford to take a longer-haul vacation.
George Charles, spokesperson for www.MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk, commented: “Travelling outside of Europe can be expensive however there are great deals out there for people on any budget.
“It’s definitely is possible to travel, even with a family, on the cheap so never say never.
“It is sad that so many people have no interest in travelling further than Europe; the world is a beautiful place with a myriad of different cultures but if you prefer a staycation or taking the ferry across to France, then that’s absolutely fine too.
The findings come as a stark shock following months of ongoing Brexit uncertainty.
The threat of a no deal Brexit - where the UK would leave the EU with no plans in place of how to go forward - sparked worries over the validity of millions of passports.
This went hand in hand with regulation changes which meant Britons needed extra months validity on their passport, with other Schengen areas requiring this.
The consequent uncertainty also caused the pound to euro exchange rate to plummet, while hopes of a Brexit win deal form offered more currency stability for travellers.
Currency, Prime Minister Theresa May has secured an Article 50 extension which means the UK will leave the EU on October 31.
Meanwhile, popular Brit holiday hotspot Benidorm continues to thrive despite Brexit uncertainty.
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Thomas Cook Airlines, however, has noted a shift with its passengers and a rise in demand for trips to Turkey.
The Thomas Cook Holiday Report, released today, states the fluctuating value of the pound has resulted in nearly half of all summer 2019 bookings to destinations outside the eurozone.
The company cites this is an increase of 10 per cent.
Additionally, it revealed almost half of its holidaymakers have confessed they are more likely to travel outside of the EU compared to the last few years.
Meanwhile, 47 per cent of bookings for Thomas Cook package holidays have been made for locations which do not have the euro as their method of currency.