Revealed: Top 10 affordable travel destinations for GCC travellers this summer
Travellers can find better exchange rates to some countries than last year
Foreign exchange company Travelex has compiled a list of ten popular destinations where travellers from dollar-linked Gulf countries can reap the benefits of currency movements this summer.
Topping the list is Namibia, where Gulf currencies are worth 20 per cent more than last year.
“If exchanging Dhs 5,000, a traveller will now get an extra NA$3,063 (equivalent to Dhs 830) compared to last year,” the company said.
Coming in at second is South Africa, where the dollar is worth 20 per cent more against the rand than last year.
This is followed by Mexico, Tanzania and Brazil, where visitors will find a 10 per cent better exchange rate than 2015.
Travelex head of retail Errol Fonseca encouraged travellers to carry a mixture of cash and cards to cover payments, in countries where there may not be working ATMs.
“It’s also worthwhile researching tipping and bartering customs in your destination, which could save you some money – and embarrassment,” he said.
Current exchange rate May 2, 2016 compared to May 3, 2015
Currencies which the dirham has strengthened against, in order of % increase compared to this time last year
Value of extra currency received for every Dhs 5,000 or BHD5000 or QAR5000 exchanged (shown in dirhams/Bahraini dinars/Qatari riyal)
1
Namibian dollar
20%
830
2
South African rand
20%
827
3
Brazilian real
16%
689
4
Mexican peso
12%
532
5
Tanzanian shilling
10%
455
6
Malaysian ringgit
10%
462
7
New Zealand dollar
6%
386
8
Polish zloty
6%
268
9
Thai baht
9%
263
10
Philippine peso
5%
257