UK cost of living makes overseas holidays a money-saver

Soaring household bills now mean that cash-strapped consumers can save money – by going on holiday. Popular destinations such as Turkey, outside the Eurozone, enable families to eat more cheaply than they can at home, points out holiday accommodation specialist Artemis Travel. And by travelling in the winter, consumers can also turn off their heating and lighting for a week or two.

Domestic costs continue to rise, as underlined by the latest Family Spending Survey from the Office of National Statistics, which this week showed that the average weekly household bill stood at £459. This figure only covers 2007 and does not reflect the substantial increases in food and power bills seen this year.

While in 2007 families were spending an average of £44.10 on food, Artemis says that in Turkey a weekly food shop for a family of four could be around £35. Bread costs between 10p and 20p, a whole chicken about £1.25 and a basket of fruit and vegetables, including half a kilo each of potatoes, three green vegetables, apples, oranges, bananas, mushrooms and salad is priced at £6.25.

Artemis Travel operates three self-catering resorts, featuring apartments, penthouses and villas, close to Didim in the Aegean Coast area of south-west Turkey. Next year it is offering families complete flexibility by being able to book accommodation on a nightly basis and choose any length of holiday. Prices start at £4 per person per night for a two-bedroom apartment, sleeping up to six people. Travellers need to book their own flights separately.

Chief executive Nigel Harris commented: “We all know food costs have gone up substantially this year and the current weakness of the pound against the Euro also makes many countries much more expensive.

“But get out of the Eurozone to places like Turkey, which has been enjoying a boom in popularity with British travellers for the last couple of years, and the reduction in the cost of living is quite dramatic.”

Harris highlighted that this, coupled with his company’s offer of a fully-equipped, modern apartment for as little as £24 a night for six people, meant that holidays were probably more affordable than some people had bargained for.

“We’re not seriously saying you can save money by going on holiday,” Harris continued. “But if travellers shop around for flights and head for Turkey, what they save on food effectively reduces the holiday cost still further. Go in winter, when the weather on the Aegean Coast is still very pleasant, you can turn off the central heating at home and save even more.”

For further information, visit Artemistravel.co.uk.