High street prices send shoppers packing this Xmas

Leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com reveals that Britons are booking more long haul short-breaks before the Christmas break than ever before, with shopping destinations proving a big draw amongst travellers.

Whilst the UK high street is bracing itself for one of the worst Christmas’ ever, long haul destinations such as New York, Hong Kong and Boston are seeing their visitor figures shooting up. Shopping meccas around the world are attracting an increasing number of bargain savvy visitors as prices are hiking up in the shops in Britain.

The US is proving very popular as flight fares are low and the weak dollar gives more power to UK visitors. Cities such as New York are registering a 50% increase in bookings year on year. Sought after items such as iPods, designer clothes and jeans in particular are great bargains in the US as they cost around half the price compared to the UK. A classic iPod costs $149 (£70) in the US and £99 in the UK, whilst ‘7 for all Mankind’ jeans cost $150 (£71) and a whopping £155.

Hong Kong however, remains the main destination for gadget crazy Brits and trend-setters looking for bespoke suits and dresses. Bookings at lastminute.com are up 54% for this end of year compared to 2006. Bespoke suits in Hong Kong start from around £250 whereas in the UK a tailor made on Savile Row would set customers back a staggering £1,000.

Hong Kong is also the perfect destination for Brits eager to get their hands on the latest must have gadgets/electronics that have not yet hit the UK high streets. The latest Digital Cameras are famously cheaper than our high street with a Canon Ixus 75 costing 30% less in Hong Kong.

Other destinations attracting bargain-savvy travellers include Boston, Milan, Singapore, Bangkok and Marrakech.

For more information visit Lastminute.com.