CYPRUS tourism suffered another blow to its reputation yesterday, after a survey showed the island is among the most expensive holiday choices for Brits.
The UK Post Office’s 2011 holiday costs barometer compared prices of nine everyday tourist items and meals in 14 medium haul destinations.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cyprus was in the top three most expensive for the majority of items.
It has the most expensive cup of coffee: €3.72, the most expensive factor 15 sun cream: €13.85 and the most expensive postcard with a stamp for the UK: €2.87
It had the second most expensive Coca Cola and third most expensive beer after Dubai and Italy.
According to the survey, the difference is partly down to an effort by rival countries to drop their prices to lure tourists.
For example, in Spain prices have dropped 36 per cent since 2007. Turkey has dropped prices by 13 per cent, Egypt by 12 per cent and Greece and Miami by 10 and six per cent respectively.
The survey says: “After a disappointing 2010, Greece has followed the cost-cutting example set by Spain and Portugal a year ago. Bars and restaurants on the top island resort of Corfu have slashed prices by 10 per cent, helping Greece edge closer to the top three value destinations.”
In Cyprus prices rose nine per cent since last year.
The best value item in Cyprus, which offsets the pricier items to bring down overall relative costs, is the evening meals. According to the survey, a three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine averaged around €42.
When added to the cost of the nine-item shopping basket, the total was €80.18.
The same combination is marginally cheaper in neighbouring Turkey, at €78.77, and more expensive in six surveyed destinations, including Croatia, UK, France, Italy, Croatia, Egypt and USA, where the items cost €105.16.
However, it was significantly more expensive than the Costa del Sol’s total: €47.
In the Algarve the total was: €55, in Corfu €65.70 and in Malta: €78.
The Post Office’s head of Travel Money Sarah Munro said prices are competitive in the top European holiday destinations, however: “wide cost variations remain between destinations, which means that tourists need to do their homework before booking”
