The pound has passed the two-dollar tourist rate mark making US holidays and
shopping trips cheaper than ever.
The exchange rate puts the pound at its strongest against the dollar since
September 1992, and is expected to encourage record numbers of holidaymakers
to cross the Atlantic.
Travel agents have reported a 30 per cent rise in bookings for American
holidays, as the pound has strengthened against the dollar, and industry
analysts predict it could rise further.
The Association of British Travel Agents said that it was expecting a further
surge in demand for trips to the US. A spokesman said: “Last time the pound
was particularly strong we saw a massive increase in visitors even though we
never got near to $2.
“It’s never been cheaper to get to America in the first place. Now with the
weakness of the dollar the flights for US travellers become less attractive.
The airlines need to fill those seats, so they will have to drop their
prices even more.”
Shoppers flying to New York can take advantage of the $2 rate to snap up
bargains unheard of in the British high street. An 80GB iPod in New York can
be bought for $379 including tax, roughly £190, compared with £239 in
Britain.
It is not just visitors to the US who will benefit. Many countries, including
Hong Kong and Cuba, peg their currencies to the dollar, and will be
similarly affected.
Those thinking of taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate with a
shopping trip to the US should be mindful of the following:
- Customs officials at UK airports request that returning Britons declare any
goods purchased from outside the EU that are valued at over £145, to pay
duty on them. The regulations that dictate the rate of duty are complex, but
expect to pay a third to a quarter of the value of the goods. You must
produce sales receipts for declared goods.
- Upon return from outside the EU, travellers are permitted to bring back a
litre of spirits, two litres of wine and 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos
or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco), 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de
toilette, in addition to the £145 worth of other gifts and souvenirs.
- Customs officials are on alert when flights arrive from popular shopping
destinations such as New York and Dubai, and are also trained to spot new
watches, bags and jewellery, among other items; as well as knowing the
tricks, such as cutting labels and tags out of new clothes and dumping
receipts and shopping bags.
- Current hand luggage regulations dictate that no liquids over 100ml can be
carried as cabin luggage, so shoppers must be prepared to pack into hold
luggage any cosmetics, eau de toilette or drinks that come in containers
larger than 100ml.
- Sales tax in the US varies from state to state but is an average 5 per cent,
which is added at the till and not on the price tag.
As an American who grew up in Europe, and then came to
the U.S. as a young adult, I , myself, have had to adjust to some of the unpleasant parts of US behavior, but by and large
Americans are fun, crazy, exuberant, enthusiastic, and quite
sheltered from the rest of the world and how it operates.
So come visit America and marvel at its oddities - we will
risk life and limb to save a dog which has fallen thru ice, yet
we will beat a wheelchair bound man senseless.
We spend billions of dollars on oil purchased from the
Middle East, yet we fund very little in university research which
might produce a solar or electric car.
America is Britain's bratty child, who ran off, but turned out
okay. Come visit us, dear Brits, before we implode.
Barb, Rochester, New York, USA
Just came back from a west coast USA trip. Flew to NYC for some shopping and then flew over to San Diego, california (great sunny place) and then drove up the Western Pacific coast through San Fran, up through the redwoods, through the beaches of Oregon, all the way up to the rainforests of Washington State finishing in Seattle. WOW what a trip! America renewed my faith in the world. Amazing sights, extremely nice people and great memories.
leslie robinson, kent, uk
Let's not get into the UK-US mudslinging contest again. Like most Britons, I like most Americans, but as with any large group there are always the vocal minority that inevitibly drown out the voices of the minority, often meaningless insults and jingoistic slights.
I'm not so sure that it's worth travelling to the States just to go shopping, I recently returned from Florida with a few bargains, but the main reason for the visit was to visit the well known Mouse and friends.
The biggest export from the USA must be Television programming, that has recently improved by leaps and bounds. I only hope that it continues to hold its own. With any luck the cost will fall for the British broadcasters, and we will get more of the quality shows.
A J Leighton, St. Saviour, Jersey
I have visited the USA ten times, and have never found the people less than friendly caring, civilised and great ambassadors for there country. The incredible cities and architecture.the rockies, everglades, prairies, Grand canyon and many other unforgetable sights. To me America epitomises opportunity, and freedom.
It is like our selves often poorley served by its politicians, and yes exhibits troublesome trends in crimes of perplexing nature. But then we have our own bad examples and crime ridden sectors of our society, so we should not judge so harshley, without regard to our own homeborne problems.
The USA has given me fabulous holidays and visits,and the people I have met, who run businesses have made me smile and appreciate there enthiusiasm .America has much to learn, but then so have all of us.I hope the 2 dollar exchange rate assists us to visit and improve our bonds with the USA even further.For we have so much in common. Long live Freedom!
william thornton, Margate, Kent UK
Oh Great!!!
This is not good news for those of us that live in NYC. For me, it means having to give more directions to Bloomindale's and SOHO to pompous and condescending British tourists in one minute and then having to deal with larger hordes of drunk, obnoxious people in the next (I know...it's a generalization, but so true). It also appears that Ryanair will soon be offering $15 flights to NYC...assume the brace position New York!!!
Thomas, NYC, USA
I had a great time the few times I was there. I am sure you are a bunch of lovely people. The real pity, is you are so badly represented worldwide.... without forgetting all the trouble your wonderful politicians create!
G Smith, London, UK
!0% discount doesn't seem much, but in much of the USA for sevices, the dollar buys as much as the pound, so a tourist who really wants a good value holiday would do well to visit lesser known places like the northern part of Michigan, or parts of Colorado. Petroleum in the middle part of the U.S.A. is $2.65 a US gallon (= 35p a litre) so a road trip makes sense...
David
David Chorley, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
To Sidona. Don't believe what the Leftie PC-brigade BBC says. The majority of Britons gave that up years ago!
Steve, Preston, UK
What I don't understand, we hear in America how the Brits can't stand us or our country. so, why on earth would you want to spend your hard earned GBP coming to a nation you can't stand and spending time with people you so obviously disdain?
Remember you will be coming to that awful rouge nation that wants to destroy the world, according to the opinion polls we hear coming from the UK. And don't forget what the BBC tells you we are all carrying weapons and shoot at anything that moves the wrong way. (not true)
The fact is violent crime has been declining in the US, the man who went beserk and murdered 32 young people was not a US citizen but a South Korean. I doubt his mental state was new to his family, wonder why they did not do something years ago. This is not any everday occurence as the BBC would have you believe.
Truth is you are more then welcome here in America, but do more then shop our country is beautiful and the people are among the friendliest in the world.
Sidona Kellogg, Sanford, NC, USA
Having just come back from a long weekend in Dubai, I don't think it's the shopping heaven it used to be... I paid less for my Breitling watch in Aberdeen than it was on sale for at Dubai Airport Duty Free.
Redpanda, Aberdeen,
Why all the fuss over what is essentially just a %10 discount on American goods?
adam, London,
Hong Kong is another great option as the HKD is tied to the USD. (Not so great for us expats coming back to the UK this summer though!)
JEM, HK, Hong Kong
Why would you want to go there? The whole country is in the grips of paranoia about terrorism. You will get searched when you arrive, treated like a potential threat, and then searched when you leave.
I would avoid going at all costs and haven't been there in 10+ years.
Tim, Toronto, Canada
“It’s never been cheaper to get to America in the first place."
Since when? Source?
I have been searching for tickets to visit my parents in California. I cannot get a flight for my husband and myself for under £1,200 for the next 6 months.
Considering this "government for the people" is recommending employers give below inflation pay rises, I guess I won't be seeing my family anytime soon.
Thanks Gordon, thanks for nothing.
Laura Middle, Hexham, Northumberland
US dollar weakness against Sterling/Euro is really of little consequence to those respective ecomomies.The damage is to the the third world...the weakest countries.When their small currencies are greatly strengthened through dollar weakness then factories begin to close as they can no longer export at good prices to the US and most of the world. Unemployment rockets and stability deteriorates. No third world economy has ever succeeded on the back of a strong local currency.[See China artificialy keeping its currency weak]
Please when considering USA/STERLING/EURO shopping and currency wrangling,please consider us in the 3rd world too and realize that because you can shop ...we cannot.
Leslie Udwin, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Hey - it's a _very_ simple, direct, no muss no fuss, flight from Heathrow to Denver's DIA. Come join us and enjoy our rocky mountain high. Bit too late for skiing and our good powder snow alas but it's SPRING in the rockies folks and we DO love Brits here. We usually head your way but why not you guys come visit us and take advantage of the exchange rates (good for you not so great for us but it all evens out eventually)....
Robert Abbott, Evergreen, USA/Colorado