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VISA EUROPE SUITCASE INDEX REVEALS THE BEST COUNTRIES TO PURCHASE YOUR HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

10th July 2011; Irish tourists need to plan their packing carefully again this year according to an annual study released today by Visa Europe.  The Visa Europe Suitcase Index compares the cost of 16 popular holiday items including everything from Speedos to Flip-Flops across 17 major holiday destinations around the world.

If you’re planning to take a dip in the pool, the best value pair of Speedos in the world can be found in Bulgaria at €9.19.  Alternatively, if you plan on getting a tan the best value for sun cream is India, where a 100ml bottle of Piz Buin One Day Long Sun Tan Lotion SPF 30 costs €2.55.  On the other end of the spectrum, avoid picking up a beach towel in Germany where it costs €20.95 and pick it up in Ireland instead for €6.  Similarly, if you want to read a blockbuster like The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest you are better off picking up a copy at home than in the Caribbean, where it costs €15.30.

Commenting on the results, Conor Langford, Ireland Vice-President, Visa Europe, said, “The Visa Europe Suitcase Index provides a fascinating glimpse into how the cost of holiday essentials can vary from country to country for people to decide whether to pick up items in Ireland or when they are travelling.”

“Visa cardholders – whether it’s debit, credit or prepaid – can pick up holiday essentials wherever they see the Visa logo abroad.  With acceptance at millions of locations in more than 200 countries worldwide, it’s never been more convenient to use your card abroad due to our global acceptance.  Cardholders can also benefit from the peace of mind that the security a Visa card offers, so they can fully relax on their holiday.”

Visa cards - debit, credit and prepaid - are a safe and convenient way for people to access and spend money in more than 200 countries. So whether people are having a romantic weekend in Paris, shopping in New York or backpacking across India, Visa cards offer a safe and easy way to pay for those essential holiday items.

Results from the 2011 Visa Europe Suitcase Index are available to view below.
The Visa Europe Suitcase Index

Holiday Items

Most Expensive (€)

Cheapest
(€)

Cost in Ireland (€)

Oral-B Advantage Plus Toothbrush

Australia 4.00

India .98C

3.65

Beach Towel

Germany 20.95

Ireland 6.00

6.00

Universal Plug Adaptor

 Australia 18.50

India 2.78

4.95

iPod – 8GB Nano

Turkey 210.00

USA 100.77

138.00

Travel Guide – Lonely Planet (Europe)

Caribbean 37.54

India 9.76

19.20

Colgate Toothpaste (100 ml)

Germany 4.95

India .45C

1.95

Adidas Deodorant (150 ml)

Germany 4.59

Turkey 1.40

2.95

Flip Flops (Havalanas)

Ireland / Germany / Netherlands  25.00

India 1.12

25.00

Kodak EasyShare M577 Camera

Australia 177.66

Turkey 63.14

110.00

Mosquito Repellent – Jungle Formula (125ml body spray)

Germany 16.58

India 2.25

12.95

Book – The Girl That Kicked The Hornet’s Nest

Caribbean 15.30

Ireland 6.99

6.99

Sunglasses – Ray Ban RB3025 Aviators

Bulgaria 210.00

USA 62.54

83.99

Suncream – 100ml Piz Buin One Day Long Sun Lotion SPF 30

Bulgaria 22.90

India 2.55

15.25

Samsonite Carry-on Suitcase

Ireland 168.00

USA 48.64

168.00

Speedos

Australia 25.78

Caribbean 11.05

19.00

Adult standard passport

Turkey 168.69

India 15.00

80.00


Total Cost of Suitcase per Country


Rank

Country

Total (€)

1.

India

449.96

2.

USA

489.30

3.

Poland

548.30

4.

Caribbean

572.21

5.

Netherlands

592.98

6.

Italy

593.37

7.

Spain

600.52

8.

Portugal

608.00

9.

Bulgaria

626.73

10.

Czech Republic

649.75

11.

Greece

653.83

12.

Germany

686.46

13.

UK

688.30

14.

France

691.75

15.

Ireland

697.52

16.

Turkey

724.29

17.

Australia

825.46