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New York 'still number one Xmas shopping spot'

Travellers jetting off for Christmas shopping trips in foreign countries are more likely to visit New York than any other city, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta).

Spokesperson Sean Tipton said that the Big Apple will retain its crown as the number one shopping destination this year, despite the rise in popularity of certain European spots.

"In terms of Christmas shopping New York is still the most popular," he said. "What is getting more popular, and has been for a few years, is people travelling around Germany, and eastern Europe to a lesser extent, going to Christmas markets.

"It's as much for the cultural experience as for the shopping."

The festive season in some eastern European countries is celebrated in a "very traditional" fashion, Mr Tipton explained.

Commenting on the factors that continue to attract people to New York, the Abta spokesperson said that many types of consumer goods are cheaper in America than in the UK, a fact that has been reinforced by the recent strength of the pound against the dollar.

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