Irish tourists are being warned that holiday packages to some of Europe's most popular destinations have suddenly jumped in price by up to 25 per cent.
New research from price comparison site TravelSupermarket shows which locations have increased in cost the most in the last 12 months, BBC reports.
Prices have been rising across the Mediterranean with Crete in Greece topping the list with a 25 per cent increase.
The average price of one week with full food and board in Majorca in Spain is up 21 per cent, while rices for Tenerife have risen more than 22 per cent.
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Overall the most popular destinations - Spain, Turkey, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus - have gone up by nearly 12 per cent.
A week in Morocco is 27 per cent more expensive than last year, while Bulgaria has gone up 13 per cent.
The comparison showed the following increases for a 7-day family holiday in August 2022 and 2023. The Irish Mirror has converted the prices from sterling into euros.
- Spain: €936 up to €1,073
- Turkey: €1,041 up to €1,145
- Greece: €1,120 up to €1,257
- Portugal: €1,102 up to €1,163
- Cyprus: €1,232 up to €1,343
- Mexico: €1,827 up to €1,964
- Egypt: €1,244 up to €1,353
- Bulgaria: €826 up to €931
- UAE: €1,672 up to €1,979
- Morocco: €847 up to €1,074
Richard Singer, chief executive of TravelSupermarket said it was unlikely prices would go down - but explained that sometimes booking late could get a good deal.
“It is unlikely that prices will fall substantially for this summer,” he says, because despite higher prices, demand is outstripping supply. "Prices for next year are looking on a par with this year.”
Earlier this month Travelodge said people were prepared to pay more for a break this summer - despite huge staycation price rises. A survey of 2,000 adults by hotel chain Travelodge found that almost two thirds have booked a summer vacation, compared to two in five who went away in the summer of 2022.
Nearly three quarters of those planning a holiday have decided to stay in their home country, according to the report. Travelodge said its study indicated that people are planning to spend nearly double the amount of money on their staycation summer holiday this year compared to 2022.
Consumer organisation Which? put out some holiday tips to cut costs:
Choose a more affordable destination
Choosing the right destination can have a big impact on holiday budgets and accommodation prices, but Which? found top-rated destinations with hotels at reasonable prices.
Shop around for the best value hotel room rate
If booking hotel accommodation, Which? suggests shopping around for the best prices. It is worth browsing online comparison sites for longer stays in hotels, as the cumulative savings can be substantial. In 2021, Which? investigated the best and worst comparison sites and found that consumers could make substantial savings on lengthier bookings by using certain sites. Trivago found the best prices most consistently, but Kayak, Skyscanner, TravelSupermarket and TripAdvisor also performed well.
Try booking directly with the hotel
Using comparison sites to check prices and locations is a good place to start, but don’t be afraid to contact the hotel or B&B directly. Which? found that holidaymakers can often get even better rates or perks - like free breakfasts or champagne on arrival - by booking directly.
Book your car hire through a broker
If hiring a car to travel on a staycation, Which? research found that, on average, customers get a better price booking with a broker than going direct. The best brokers also throw in extras for free.
