THE tables are finally turning. Crippling exchange rates are making the Costas more costly and Bournemouth a much cheaper option than Benidorm for hard-pressed families in search of a break.

For the first time in decades, foreign package deals are losing their charm and south coast resorts are set to cash in on the latest trend to holiday at home.

A week's holiday for a family of four in Bournemouth, including hotel accommodation plus dinner, bed and breakfast, now costs £1,207, compared with a staggering £2,250 for a similar package in Benidorm. New research shows that an extra five million people in Britain are planning to holiday in the UK this year.

Following the recent sunny spell, Bournemouth is now gearing up for an anticipated influx of visitors during the credit crunch.

A new Back in Britain campaign will be launched in time for the Easter holidays to promote the joint attractions of Bournemouth and Poole to potential holidaymakers in the Midlands and London area.

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole tourism management board, said: "The collapse of sterling's value against both the euro and the dollar is forcing many people to rethink their holiday habits and, together, we aim to welcome them back."

His Bournemouth counterpart, Alex Carter, said: "With the credit crunch rekindling interest in holidays at home, we will be extending a joint welcome to many more holidaymakers this summer."

Bournemouth's director of tourism Mark Smith said: "We know this year that people are looking for value for money and high quality.

"Our free events include family shows throughout the summer, culminating in the air festival.

"Our hotels have been voted best value and we're in a very strong position to capitalise on the UK market this summer."

  • Thirty per cent more deckchairs were hired out last weekend and a third more ice creams sold than during the same weekend last year, as summer came early at Bournemouth seafront.