Revealed: the holiday destinations around the world where your pound will stretch the most – and the least

The holiday destinations around the world where the British pound will stretch the most and least have been revealed – and it’s Argentina that currently offers the best deal for Brits.

It tops a ranking of places with the best value, in which Ethiopia comes second, Nigeria third, Egypt fourth and Malawi fifth.

Countries where the pound is weaker include Kenya, Sri Lanka and Thailand, according to the survey NetVoucherCodes.

The internet marketing service explained that it prepared the tables by pulling monthly exchange rate data for every major currency around the world and comparing its strength to the pound.

It explained that the pound rose 199 percent in the top spot Argentinameaning for every pound you can get 1,276 Argentine pesos. NetVoucherCodes added: ‘The country has devalued its currency several times due to economic problems, so Brits looking for a cheap holiday where they can taste the world’s best wine and take breathtaking walks need look no further .’

In second place EthiopiaThe pound has risen 130 percent against the Ethiopian birr. In third place Nigeria sees the pound rise by 120 percent against the Nigerian naira.

In fourth place EgyptThe pound is up 67.7 percent against the Egyptian pound, NetVoucherCodes explains. It added: ‘Egypt has long been a hotspot for Brits looking to enjoy the winter sun and boasts some of the best historical monuments in the world. The data shows this may be a good time to visit.”

Placed fifth Malawione of ‘Africa’s best safari hotspots’, is also offering a ‘better value holiday’ in 2024, with the pound rising 60.6 percent against the Malawian kwacha. NetVoucherCodes added: ‘The country has 11 national parks and wildlife reserves, making it one of the best places in the world to see African wildlife.’ However, it warned: ‘Travelers are unlikely to see the benefit of a strong pound if they book a safari with a UK provider, and they are best off booking their own itinerary to see real savings.’

The holiday destinations around the world where the British pound will stretch the most and least have been revealed in a survey by NetVoucherCodes. This map is a colour-coded guide to showing where the pound is strong and weak, with the darkest green color showing where the pound has risen the most and yellow and red showing where the pound is weakest

The pound is up 199 percent in first-place Argentina, meaning you can get 1,276 Argentine pesos for every pound

Turkey ends up in eighth place in the top 10, with the pound up 28.2 percent against the Turkish lira. NetVoucherCodes explained: ‘Turkey has seen the lira’s strength weaken against the pound over the past year. This makes it the perfect time to visit the vibrant city of Istanbul, with its mix of cultures and delicious cuisine.”

Meanwhile, the pound has also risen in several other popular holiday destinations, such as the USA (five percent increase compared to 2023), Australia (3.36 percent) Mexico (19 percent), Brazil (24 percent), India (six percent), Hungary (nine percent) and Czech Republic (five percent). The pound has also gained minimal strength against the Euro (two percent).

Where the pound is weaker

The pound’s biggest fall in strength in the past year has occurred Kenya – it has fallen nine percent against the Kenyan shilling. NetVoucherCodes explains: ‘The Kenyan shilling has gained strength against the British pound over the past year. This appreciation means that British tourists will find that their pounds will not go as far as before, meaning the cost of travel-related expenses such as accommodation, meals and activities in Kenya will be higher for Brits.”

Sri Lanka ‘is also starting to become more expensive for Brits,’ NetVoucherCodes warned as the pound fell five percent against the Sri Lankan rupee. It explained: “Over the past year, the strength of the pound has weakened against the Sri Lankan rupee. There was an initial increase in recent months, but a sharp decline again at the beginning of November.’

The pound has also fallen 0.6 percent against the Thai baht, which has become popular Thailand a bit more expensive for Brits in 2024. NetVoucherCodes explained: ‘From November 2023 to November 2024, the Thai baht increased in value against the pound by 0.69 percent. Although this is only a slight increase, doesn’t it mean that the tropical paradise is becoming more expensive for the British?’

If you’ve booked a holiday to a destination where the pound has fallen, Rebecca Bebbington, personal finance expert at NetVoucherCodes, has shared her top tips for keeping costs down when traveling.

She said: ‘My ultimate tip for travelers is to consider using a credit card that won’t charge you abroad, such as a Wise card. These cards allow you to hold multiple currencies in one account, avoiding high conversion fees when you spend money at restaurants or withdraw money from an ATM. It uses real exchange rates and comes with an easy-to-use app for tracking expenses and setting budgets.

‘Travelers should also be aware of sneaky fees at ATMs when withdrawing cash. Always opt for withdrawals in local currency and decline the exchange rates offered, which often come with hidden fees. Use Google Maps to find ATMs that are well rated and offer lower fees, and try to withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce ATM fixed fees.

Thailand has become slightly more expensive for Britons in the past year, with the pound falling 0.6 percent against the Thai baht

‘One of the best things you can do is avoid exchanging money at airport kiosks, which can give you a terrible exchange rate and astronomical fees. Instead, exchange money at reputable banks or services in the city, or use ATMs in less touristy areas.

‘It’s a good idea to understand the exchange rate before you travel to avoid overcharges and make informed financial decisions. Currency conversion apps can provide real-time updates.

‘Inquire in advance about any card charges before purchasing. Some merchants may charge surcharges for card payments without notifying you. So knowing this will help you decide whether you want to use your card or pay with cash.

‘Staying informed about potential costs can help you manage your budget effectively and avoid unnecessary expenses.’