London - Thomas Cook and Travelex today released new survey data revealing a growing trend towards destination weddings, with one in ten people (10 per cent) being invited to attend a wedding outside the UK in the next 12 months. Nearly one quarter of those invitations (23.9%) have been received by 16-24 year olds, highlighting that younger people may well be more adventurous when it comes to tying the knot.

The survey¹ found that of these destination weddings, nearly two thirds (60 per cent) will take place in the Europe, with the remainder seeing guests travel to America (15%) or the rest of the world (25 per cent). However, only one in six (15 per cent) travellers said that they would increase their holiday spending budget to take into account a Euro that is around 20% stronger than a year ago.

Mark Nancarrow, Managing Director of Financial Services at Thomas Cook, said: “In the last few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in demand for weddings abroad. Couples are keen to secure better weather and the option of stunning venues like castles in Italy. Guests also like to take advantage of the trip abroad by adding a few days on for an extra holiday. ”Popular destinations in Europe include Greece and Cyprus, while further afield, Thomas Cook customers choose destinations such as St Lucia, Mauritius and Antigua to celebrate their nuptials.

Holiday Cheer Mixed with Lack of Euro Fears

Interestingly, the survey found that only one in three (36 per cent) were concerned about the impact of the stronger Euro on their holiday budget, with the greatest concern coming from the 55+ age group (41 per cent). This demonstrates that whilst there is an increasing trend towards short- or long-haul travel to wedding locations, holidaymakers are not overly anxious about the impact of a stronger Euro and currency fluctuations.

“There are smart, easy ways to offset a stronger Euro, such as locking in a good exchange rate through a prepaid currency card, like the Thomas Cook Cash Passport,” said Stephen O’Donovan, Regional Director, Travelex. “Purchasing a Thomas Cook Cash Passport before you leave for holiday ensures that your money will be spent on meaningful things – not a long list of transactional charges.”

More Brits to Enjoy Stateside Weddings

On the flip side, 14 per cent of those surveyed were invited to weddings in the United States, where the British pound continues to be strong against the US dollar.

“In the current climate, the pound is still performing well against the US dollar, and for those who want to take advantage of these favourable rates to the US, using the Cash Passport enables holidaymakers to rest easy for future travel, knowing that they have locked in a good rate.” said Mark Nancarrow.

The Cash Passport is currently available in British Pounds, Euros and US Dollars. Because the currency card is not linked to a personal bank account and comes with 24-hour global emergency assistance, it is one of the most secure ways to access money abroad. It is also reloadable so travellers can seize upon a favourable exchange rate – and lock it in – at any time.

¹Conducted by TickBox, 1,000 sample size 1,054 respondents, June 2008

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland:

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is the second largest leisure travel group in the UK with around 19,000 employees.  The company operates a fleet of 45 aircraft, has a network of more than 800 high street stores (Thomas Cook and Going Places), leading websites (www.thomascook.com and www.airtours.com), its own television channel Thomas Cook TV (Freeview channel 41, Sky channel 645 Life TV channel 137, Life 24 channel 138 and Life Showcase 139) and some of the world's favourite travel brands.

These brands include Airtours, Club 18-30, Bridge, Cresta, CruiseThomasCook, Direct Holidays, Flexibletrips, flythomascook.com, Latitude, Manos, Neilson, Panorama, Style Holidays, Sunset, Sunworld Holidays, Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook Signature, Thomas Cook Sport and Tradewinds.

The company’s airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines and MyTravel Airways fly from various regional airports to destinations worldwide.  From March 2008, the airline will be combined and will operate at Thomas Cook Airlines.

Thomas Cook has a growing financial services business and is a leading seller of foreign exchange.  It also offers the Thomas Cook credit card and is the only major travel company to be FSA regulated for its wide range of travel insurance policies.  The company also owns White Horse Insurance Ireland Ltd.

About Travelex

Travelex is the world's foreign exchange and international payments specialist. Operating through subsidiaries and branches in four regions: the United Kingdom; Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Americas and Asia Pacific.

As one of the world's leading providers of outsourced travel money to banks, travel agencies and other retailers it provides products including its prepaid travel card Cash Passport to over three million channel customers annually. Through its world-leading automation Travelex offers consumers a full range of delivery channel options including telephone and web-based ordering.

For more information please visit: www.travelex.com | www.cashpassport.com