Brits favour premium long haul over mini-breaks

Holidaymakers are still favouring a single, premium long-haul holiday and turning their backs on European mini breaks, according the American Express (Amex) Global Foreign Exchange Service Currency Index.

Its new annual report on currency trends says UK demand for exotic destinations such as Thailand and Barbados has increased year on year, while there has been a big decline in demand for currencies linked to European mini-break destinations such as Prague (Czech koruna) and Krakow (Polish zloty).

Amex global foreign exchange services director of trading and business development Terry Perrin, said: "The uplift in currencies for long-haul destinations and the demise of the 'mini-break' currencies suggest that, while many Brits are opting for more premium holiday destinations, they are in fact reining in their overall annual spend, and foregoing mini-breaks in order to 'push the boat out' for their main annual holiday."

The report also reveals that Mexican, Jamaican and Kenyan currencies are proving popular.

Perrin added: "Despite the outbreak of swine flu, we have still seen a considerable increase in demand for the Mexican peso."

Reflecting the trend for travel outside the eurozone, the Turkish lira is now the most popular short-haul currency following the euro and dollar.

Michelle Perrett