Passengers flying outside EU, claims Manchester Airport

Tourists are holidaying in more exotic places due to the current exchange rate, Manchester Airport bosses have claimed, reports Crain's Business Manchester.

According to Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's managing director, Europe is still a popular destination but fewer people are holidaying on the continent because of the strength of the pound against the euro.

Mr Cornish told Crain's Business Manchester: "Last year the popular destinations were definitely European such as Tenerife, Minorca and Italy."

While the credit crunch has tightened holiday budgets, tourists are flying outside the EU as for cheaper breaks as holidays are a vital part of the summer, claims Mr Cornish.

"We are also seeing a rush of passengers booking last minute holidays in more exotic countries, showing that the economic doom and gloom might make us all have to tighten our belts but holidays remain important," he told the publication.

Research by the Visit USA Association revealed that there were 343,000 arrivals in the United States from the UK in May this year, which was an 11 per cent rise on 2007 figures.