| Windfall allows Irish to spread
their wings Irish holidaymakers benefiting from their SSIA windfalls
are heading to America to take advantage of the cheap fares as a result
of a weak dollar.
The euro has never been so strong against the American currency meaning
holidays to the States are at their cheapest in a long time.
And with the last round of the SSIA bonuses paid out last month, Irish
travel agents are reporting that bookings are up by 50 per cent on the
same time last year.
Jack Sheill, manager of independent Cork travel agents Dawson Travel,
said: “This year there are a lot of early bookings because of the
SSIA and because people know if they book early they will get their holidays
cheaper.
“The cost of an average holiday is e700 to e800, which represents
about 20 per cent of their spending as they are going out there to spend
the rest in the shops.
“They’re going out with empty suitcases so that they can fill
them up.
“They’re benefiting from the double whammy of their SSIAs
and the weak dollar, which is forecast to fall further and make holidays
even better value.”
Ireland also reportedly saw an increase in tourists from its most lucrative
market Britain. |
