Weakening sterling affects travel to the US

(18 November 2008)

The number of Brits travelling to the US has fallen as a response to the economic downturn and the drop in the value of sterling.

Figures from the National Air Traffic Services showed a 10% drop in the number of transatlantic flights this October compared with October 2007. Flights to all destinations saw a drop of 5.6%.

South Africa, Dubai and Thailand are becoming the most popular long-haul destinations. In addition, travellers are trying to avoid the strong Euro by holidaying in countries outside the Eurozone, such as Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.