Strong pound to give Spanish travel trade fair a lift

FITUR is Spain’s largest annual tourist trade fair and it opens tomorrow, but while there will be plenty of attention of the recovering domestic market, all eyes will also be  on the pound as it surges in strength against the euro, fuelling holiday sales.Summer holiday sales in the UKhave already got off to a good start, according to the Association of British Travel Agents, ABTA.
They reported last week that  a third of summer holidays will be sold in January and February according , with early bookers taking advantage of some of the travel industry’s best deals.
January 2015 has seen strong early bookings with some ABTA Members reporting ‘exceptional’ days of trading, up as much as 30-50% from the same time period in 2014.
A favourable exchange rate against the euro, which means those stocking up on currency for imminent trips can make important savings, is also helping to boost January bookings to European destinations.
And Sunday’s Greek election results have hit the euro even more.
For example, Syriza’s success in the  elections sent the euro to new lows, with the pound now worth €1.337 in early trading, compared to €1.25 as recently as eight weeks ago and that is good news for Britons going on holiday this year in the Eurozone.