LONDON is now one of the world’s top ten “best value” destinations, according to the people at Lonely Planet guide books.


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“It is far easier to do London on the cheap than it was five years ago,” said Tom Hall, travel editor for Lonely Planet.

“The tables have turned and London’s reputation as one of the world’s most expensive cities is over. Every economic crisis has a silver lining.””

The main reason for London’s new-found affordability is the slide of the pound, especially against the euro. Visitors from the rest of Europe have flocked to London recently as the pound has gone from buying 1.50 euros to just 1.10 in a little over two years.

“The favourable exchange rate means that travellers will often find hotels and meals up to half the price they were a few years ago,” said Hall.

But while the pound and the associated recession have been the immediate cause of better value, Lonely Planet also believes there are some deeper reasons to be cheerful for tourists.

“Budget accommodation has improved enormously, with many cut-price hotels opening up in the capital,” said Hall.

That Lonely Planet Best-Value Destinations Top Ten in full:

Iceland
Thailand
London
South Africa
Malaysia
Mexico
India
Bulgaria
Kenya
Las Vegas

Destinations not placed in any ranking order by Lonely Planet, whose book on Best-Value Destinations comes out today.