itravel2000, a Travelzest company (AIM:TVZ), has seen an improvement in
international bookings in the Canadian market on the wings of the strong
Canadian dollar. Simply put Canadians are taking advantage of their
tremendous buying power in the UK, Euro-zone and the US.
The UK
The Canadian dollar goes further in the UK this spring than it has any
time since planes started flying tourists across the Atlantic. Not too
long ago it took $2.50 to buy a Pound Sterling. Right now it costs only
$1.55 to buy a Pound Sterling.
Jonathan Carroll, Founder itravel2000 and Chief Executive of
Travelzest plc, said:
“In the past week, we’ve seen Canadians snapping up flights to the UK
– they’re taking advantage of the Loonie’s incredible purchasing power.”
In
2009, Canadians made 700,000 trips to the UK, down 7% from 2008
(Conference Board of Canada).
The Euro-zone
In 2009 it took as much as $1.70 to buy a Euro and during the year
Canadians made about 2 million trips to Euro countries (Conference Board
of Canada). Now it takes only $1.40 to buy a Euro. This 20% improvement
in the buying power translates into cheaper flights, hotel rooms and
restaurant meals. Bookings to the hardest hit economies, Spain and
Italy, are the early winners as hoteliers struggle to off-set soft
domestic demand.
The USA
Nothing gets Canadians across the US border like a strong Canadian
dollar. With the Canadian dollar worth $0.98 Canadians are feeling rich
and heading south.
Jonathan Carroll, added:
“It’s an ideal situation for Canadian travellers. The Loonie is
strong and the US economy is still recovering – as a result we’re seeing
average room rates down 20% in destinations like Vegas.”
In the
first few months of 2009 the Canadian dollar was worth about $0.80 USD.
The Loonies purchasing is up about 20%.
Notes to Editors:
About itravel2000
itravel2000 was a pioneer of on-line travel and has 100 travel agents to
assist travelers by phone. To see how we’re fighting to save you money,
visit www.itravel2000.com.
The Travelzest group currently comprises:
Canadian Operations
itravel2000itravel2000.com
The
Cruise Professionalswww.cruiseprofessionals.com
UK Operations
Holiday.co.uk www.holiday.co.uk
Flight.co.uk
www.flight.co.uk
Best
of Moroccowww.bestofmorocco.co.uk
VFB
Holidayswww.vfbholidays.com
Peng
Travelwww.pengtravel.co.uk
Faraway
Holidayswww.farawayholidays.co.uk
The
Malaysia Experiencewww.malaysiaexperience.co.uk
Tapestry
Collectionwww.thetapestrycollection.com
The
Wow House Company www.thewowhousecompany.co.uk
Captivating
Cuba www.captivatingcuba.com
JMB
Travelwww.jmb-travel.co.uk
Fair’s
Fare www.fairsfare.com
Travelzest plc
Brad Miron
Jack Fraser
0844 335
6623
bmiron@itravel2000.com
lorag@travelzestplc.com
or
Redleaf
Communications
Rebecca Sanders-Hewett / Anna Dunkin
020
7566 6700
travelzest@redleafpr.com