UK sales of Turkish currency soar

As the popularity of destinations outside the Eurozone grows among British tourists, Turkey has emerged as a holiday hotspot for 2008. Foreign currency expert M&S Money has seen a 53% year-on-year increase in sales of Turkish Lira. The Turkish Lira is the second most popular ‘exotic currency’* in 2008, only being beaten to the top spot by the Australian Dollar.

The number of Brits visiting Turkey ranks only behind travellers from Germany and Russia**. Around 1.9 million British tourists visited the country in 2007 and bookings for Turkish resorts are up 20% this year according to ABTA***.

Currency sales are expected to increase over the next few days, with up to two million Brits expected to head abroad for the last Bank Holiday weekend of the summer****.

M&S Money offers the same competitive exchange rates across all services including telephone and online ordering ensuring that customers get a great deal however they decide to purchase their currency. The bureaux also offer a commission-free buy back service with a wide range of currencies available.

Fraser Millar, M&S Head of Travel Services, said: “The huge increase in sales of Turkish currency is not surprising, with the relative power of the euro against the pound meaning Brits are getting more for their money by opting for destinations like Turkey. This trend is confirmed by the fact that there has also been a large increase in sales of Egyptian currency this year.”

Travellers heading to Turkey are warned to make sure they have travel insurance. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Turkey is in the top 15 countries where British nationals required the most consular assistance between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007. During this period, 157 British passports were lost in Turkey and there were 137 hospitalisations involving British citizens.

M&S Money is offering a 20% discount to customers buying travel insurance online from 7th August - 3rd September 2008.

Marks & Spencer Travel Money is available at bureaux de change in over 100 M&S stores, and online at Marksandspencer.com/travelmoney.