19/01/2009 - Falling pound boosts visitors to UK
The number of foreign visitors coming to the UK to shop is on the up following the fall of the pound against the euro.
WhiteConcierge, the concierge and lifestyle company, saw the number of people requesting help with travel and accommodation arrangements increase by 30% in 2008 compared with 2007.
A basket of luxury items such as watches, perfume and cameras worked out less at the end of last year. Compared to Germany it was 10% cheaper, 12% cheaper than in France and around 14% less than in China.
Will Holroyd, WhiteConcierge managing director, said: "The value of sterling is now around 21% less than it was this time last year when compared to the euro, 26% less than the US dollar and 37% less than the Japanese yen.
"As a result of this, we have seen a huge increase in the number of requests from clients outside of the UK who wish to visit and take advantage of the weak pound.
"Given that the pound is not expected to recover any time soon and that some of the current sales from retailers are likely to be extended, we expect to see a continued increase in calls from our non-UK clients."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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