Dollar’s loss is shoppers’ gain

GETTING more bang for your buck has become easier for Irish holidaymakers, whose euro now travels much further than it used to on the far side of the Atlantic.

The dollar’s collapse has been welcome news for travel agents specialising in trips to America, as holidaymakers snap up packages allowing them to spend more dollars for fewer euros.

“We’re definitely benefiting from it,” said Bill Chambers, sales and marketing manager with American Holidays, a leading Dublin travel firm. “Our city break programmes are flying out the door.”

Business has increased by more than 10% as Irish people take advantage of greater spending power to organise short breaks in east coast cities such as New York and Boston, mainly for shopping trips.

The cheaper dollar means prices across all shops, from high-class department stores to out-of-town discount outlets, have plummeted in euro terms and have become up to 40% cheaper than those on offer in Ireland or the rest of Europe. While goods priced at $1,000 cost over €1,200 four years ago, that same $1,000 spending spree would take just €760 from a eurozone credit card.

Mr Chambers, an American, said his frequent trips home make it difficult to justify doing any of his shopping in Dublin.