Economic storm is a silver lining for kiwi travellers

Charge your glasses, ladies and gentlemen. The cost of many of the basics of Life in London, from pub meals to hotel rooms is falling for the NZ traveller.

The Global Financial Crisis has seen prices fall. This has made British Tourism operators even more competitive.

Accommodation costs are down. One boutique hotel-chain is offering rooms from £99 (NZ$270) a night, compared to £160 (NZ$437) last year.

English pubs are entering into the spirit of things too, with many now offering set menu two-course lunches for just £11 (NZ$30). And the price of nosh is not all that is falling. The good old British pint which would have cost as much as £2.50 (NZ$7.00) a year ago, is now as low as 99 pence (NZ$2.70).

Upmarket meals are also cheaper. One Michelin starred restaurant, the renowned L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, is offering Londoners a set lunch for £19 (NZ$52). Other top rung restaurants across Britain are following the trend.

The British High Commissioner to NZ, George Fergusson, says “There has never been a better time to visit the UK. There are great deals to be done on things like train passes. And there are always many excellent free things to do in Britain such as visiting superb museums and galleries.”

Even the cost of flying to London has dropped, with airfares down about $80 on average, compared to this time last year.

So far the economic crisis has not affected the flow of NZers applying for visas to go to Britain on their OE.