Euro / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Images Money

Better Out Than In?

Many in the UK have been feeling pretty smug over the last couple of years, as Europe struggles to get a firm hold on the future of the single currency. There is no longer any dispute over whether the UK was right to decline entry into the single currency. However, it is becoming more and more apparent that our fortunes are inextricably linked with the health, or otherwise, of the Euro Zone and its member states.

The Advantages of a Weak Euro for UK Tourists

The Association of British Travel Agents recently remarked that there has never been a better time to go to Greece, but the reasons for that advice go much deeper than simply the exchange rate. Greece, which is struggling to elect a new government at the moment, is sitting on the brink of a financial abyss. This means that although holiday prices for British tourists are barely any lower than normal, they can take advantage of the desperation of Greek businesses in the face of such difficult times. Special offers abound throughout Greek resorts as businesses fight for their share of vital tourist income. So, the combination of the weak Euro and the intense competition amongst desperate Greek business owners can make for a very cheap time, for UK tourists going to the resorts at the moment. To a lesser degree, similar situations can be found in other Euro Zone countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Ireland.

The Effects of a Weak Euro on the UK Tourism Industry

Unfortunately, the weak Euro has the opposite effect on tourists that would normally come to the UK for a holiday or a short break. They are finding it increasingly expensive, when they look to convert their ailing Euros into UK Sterling. If the Euro continues to decline against the Pound, many who may have previously have come to the UK from Euro Zone countries, could give it a miss and choose destinations within the Euro Zone so that they have no worries about exchange rates.

Wider Considerations

Another factor to consider is the effect the increasing uncertainty about the Euro has on the confidence of the would-be traveller. The issues being raised by the Euro’s uncertainty is also spreading an element of fear amongst holidaymakers. Since the financial gloom descended upon us some several years ago, quite a number of holiday firms and airlines have gone to the wall. The crisis facing the Euro only makes it more likely that other operators will fail before too long.

Only recently, holiday giant Thomas Cook needed a £200 million bail out, after seeing its shares slump dramatically as bookings fell by a third at the end of 2011. The effect this will have on the wider tourism industry has yet to be realised, but a struggling Thomas Cook can hardly help consumer confidence in them, or any other tourism operator for that matter.

Summary

So, while the Euro weakening against the Pound may be great for UK tourists going to the Euro Zone in the short term, it may not be such good news for the industry as a whole as the crisis deepens. A lack of tourists visiting the UK could be to the detriment of our economy as a whole, which could mean that UK consumers may not have the disposable income to take advantage of the strong Pound on holidays abroad in the future.

Guest post provided by ITC Classics luxury holidays, for holidays with a touch of class.

The post Will the Weak Euro Make a Big Difference to Tourism? appeared first on Europe Explored.

The sinkhole is about 138.7 meters deep and it is the biggest gorge of its kind in the Czech Republic and even in the Central Europe. The upper part of this nature unique is about 174 m long and 76 m wide. There are two platforms for tourists at the edges. The first one is Upper Bridge constructed in 1882. The second one is little bit lower called Lower Bridge. This lower bridge comes from 1899 and it is about 92 m above the bottom of Macocha that you can see from there.

Macocha Abyss (named in 17th century) was created by fall of ceiling of huge cave hole. That’s why its bottom is covered by debris. The River Punkva is rising here and fills up two small lakes called Horní (Upper) and Dolní (Lower). Horní lake is approximately 13m deep and you can see it from the Upper Platform. The Lower one is hidden between rocks and it is about 30 m deep.

Underground River Punkva is made by several local brooks which became bigger river underground. It is coming from north part of Moravský kras (Moravian Karst) to the east. Macocha Abyss is the only place where Punkva River goes to daylight. Then, the river goes its wandering in Punkvení jeskyně (Punkva Caves). The whole cave complex is made by more than 30 kilometers of underground passages partly filled with water.

View Macocha abyss in Czech republic – the deepest abyss in Central Europe in a larger map

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