Has credit crunch bitten into your holiday plans?

By Talking Heads on Jan 15, 09 01:00 PM in

In light of record holiday bookings we asked people will the doom and gloom stop their holiday plans?

TRADITIONALLY the first Monday in January is the day millions of fed up people book their summer holiday to jet off into the sun to escape the winter blues.

But has the credit crunch, spiraling unemployment and a collapsing pound grounded hopes and dreams of a holiday haven?

With a Euro almost the equivalent of s1, will holidays be spent more in the UK instead of the usual Spain, Italy and France?

The fall in oil prices has removed extortionate fuel taxes from air fares and the travel trade says now is the time to buy a package holiday at a knock down price.

Many of us could even be going on a summer Aldi, courtesy of the German owned food chain which promises four star holidays for up to 50 per cent less.

Travel companies say a "better than expected" wave of sunseekers are filling the flight bookings so far this month.

But are thirfty Glasgow residents going to stay at home because they fear they will lose their jobs, or are they hell benttor each the Spanish Cost as by shaving holiday costs to the bone?

We took a city citizens' sound-out and were surprised to discover a blue sky approach to holiday thinking.

Retired Eric Pile, 71, from Stepps, had no hesitation in spelling out his holiday itinary and said: "The world economic gloom won't have any effect on me. It's Florence in March for a bit of culture.

Then we're off to Canada for May and June." His wife, Rosemary,67, said: "On holiday plans I sometimes play devil's advocate and say to Eric 'should we do it?' But Itrust my husband's judgement on holidays and we have wonderful times."

Sean Sheridan, 23, of Partick, said: "Things are a bit tight just now but I am going for a weekend in Wales.

"I've no serious other plans for holidays though I'd like to go to Sweden if I could afford it."

Student Mette Jakobson, 25, from the west end, said: "The exchange rate is very good for me returning home to Denmark where s1 is worth between seven to eight Crowns.

"I can't afford holidays other than to return home. Holidays have become so expensive in usual European holiday places where the Euro is worth almost s1."

Elle Diniz, 24, of the city centre, said: "The economic downturn will not spoil my holiday plans - they're booked.

"I was in Rome over the Christmas holidays. Later this year I am going to Paris and Greece."

Valthor Asgrimsson, 28, living in the Merchant City, said: "I've already had a holiday in Rome and in the summer will go to Spain and later Paris though I have not booked anything.

"That's not bad because I am with an Icelandic bank where thankfully my money was OK. But I don't go out much and spend less so I can afford holidays."