Most Britons bust the budget abroad

All hail the king of rock ‘n’ roll as the new Elvis movie is released. MARION MCMULLEN looks at the life of a music legend

Despite good intentions, Britons travelling to holiday hotspots overseas are continuing to bust their budgets by hundreds of pounds, according to a new report.

Research for the annual Holiday Spending Report from Post Office Travel Money shows that 53% of more than 2,000 Britons polled intend to travel abroad and, for almost two-thirds of them, the high cost of Uk-based breaks was an important factor in their decision-making.

However, the research also revealed that three-quarters of holidaymakers set a budget for their last trip abroad, but resort spending cost seven-in-10 of them an average of 38% extra.

Holidaymakers need to allow at least £477 and families around £890 if they are to avoid busting their budget again, found the report.

On their last overseas trip the research found that individual holidaymakers set a budget averaging £344.38 but only three-in-10 stuck to it and the rest spent an average of £132.46 more.

Around 76% of families also set a budget but over three-quarters of them lost control of their purse strings and paid out £243.14 on top of the budget they had set of £644.43.

Nick Boden, Head of Post Office Travel Money, which accounts for one-infour UK foreign exchange transactions, said: “Over the past five years, research for the Holiday Spending Report has consistently revealed that most Britons start with good intentions by setting a budget but find that it is inadequate once they get to their resort.

“We urge them to think back to their last holiday and set a budget based on past experience. That way they can avoid extra fees for paying with a debit or credit card or having to withdraw cash from an ATM. A good solution is to carry a combination of cash and money held on a pre-paid Travel Money Card that will not incur extra transaction charges.”

Concerns expressed about the cost of accommodation, travel and resort meals and drinks by Britons planning trips abroad may mean that many cash-strapped holidaymakers will turn to budget destinations.

All-inclusive holidays are regarded as another way to rein in costs and look set to be more popular than self-catering. Twice as many families – 48% compared with 23% – told Post Office Travel Money they would be going all-inclusive rather than choose self-catering.

However, while 46% of those who have gone all-inclusive in the past five years, or plan to do so this year, view this type of holiday as good value ‘because everything is included and they do not need to worry about taking holiday money’, significant numbers splash out on extras.

The latest Post Office research reveals that the proportion of people paying for extras has again risen across the board – both in all-inclusive hotels and in local resorts.

Elvis and his wife Priscilla chat with Sir Tom Jones in Vegas. The singers

Return to sender:

Love me tender: Elvis and his wife Priscilla welcomed their newborn daughter Lisa Marie into the world. She said: “Anytime I was in Memphis with my Dad and at the house, I was happy.”

Prices abroad can catch you out

1968 Get out the blue suede shoes: The Elvis comeback TV special gave Elvis another career boost. He has sold more than a billion records worldwide over the years. 1963 Always on my mind: Colonel Tom Parker was the singer’s famous manager. The two men first met in 1955. Here he is seen visiting Elvis on the set of one of his films. 1937 A star is born: Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 to parents Vernon and Gladys and lived in a tworoomed house in Tupelo, Mississippi, before moving to Memphis. His twin brother Jessie was stillborn and Elvis grew up an only child.

1940 Hound dog: Elvis went to Humes High School in Memphis and had no idea music stardom awaited. He once said: “I was training to be an electrician. I suppose I got wired the wrong way round somewhere along the line.” 1950 All shook up: Elvis earned his sergeant stripes in the US Army. “The next thing I knew, I was out of service and making movies again,” he said. “My first picture was called GI Blues, I thought I was still in the army.”

1957 Elvis kept his roots in Memphis and made his home at the Graceland estate. He paid $102,500 for the property and passed away there in 1977. He was 42 years old.

1961 Top billing: Tuesday Weld starred with Elvis on Wild In The Country. He was only 21 when he made his first movie and appeared in 31 films during his career and made two concert documentaries.

1971 It’s not unusual: became friends after meeting on the set of Elvis’ film Paradise, Hawaiian Style in 1965.

1968