UK Ferry Tickets

Britons love a deal, so everyone would have you believe.

Have a look down any high street and you’ll see the promise of 40 per cent, 50 per cent and even 60 per cent off anything from clothes to electrical goods to holidays.

Travel agency windows are often just messy notice boards which try to pull people in on the promise of the deal of the century.

And, of course, the Internet’s growth was largely down to companies promising to be cheaper than the high street, although nowadays people buy anything and everything on the web.

Well, we do all want to feel that we’re getting value for money, but when it comes to holidays there’s now a trend towards paying a little bit extra for something a cut above just the cheapest package.

Many travel companies are telling me that a growing number of their customers are prepared to pay for luxuries ranging from better hotel rooms to upgraded flights.

Hoteliers are saying the same thing. Whereas a few years ago the Brits were regarded almost as skinflints when it came to looking for accommodation, a recent survey reported that, on average, they now spend 37 per cent more than the French and 28 per cent more than Germans on hotel rooms.

Cheap is often very cheerful, but sometimes it’s nice to pay a bit more to receive a bit more.

Do you agree? Are you happy to pay for quality or do you always want the cheapest deal?

Guest Article by Jeremy Skidmore

Sunday, July 31st, 2005