How would Brexit affect British tourists on holiday?

Speculation is rife these days as Britain's future in the European Union comes increasingly under scrutiny by the upcoming 23rd June referendum. Travel is obviously one of the issues firmly planted in the minds of the population, as millions of Brits flock to European destinations for sun, fun and culture. How would Brexit affect your holiday?

Will family holidays cost hundreds more?

The remain vote believes that the price of various aspects of foreign travel would increase substantially with the expected fall in value of the euro. David Cameron said last week that a typical holiday cost would rise by at least 57 pounds, which is based upon the Treasury prediction that the currency would lose 12%.

David Cameron said last week that a typical holiday cost would rise by at least 57 pounds

This assumes that every cost incurred during a trip is valued in Sterling, which of course it isn't. Key expenditures such as aircraft and fuel are priced in foreign currency, but air crew wages and Air Passenger Duty would still be valued in pounds.

Will we see the end of cheap flights?

Open skies is one of the most significant benefits of EU membership from an ordinary citizen's perspective. Airlines have been free to fly between any two places since 1994, leading to the the emergence of Easyjet and Ryanair as big players in the market.

Outers point out that Norwegian flies successfully within Europe and has managed to avoid sky high prices, although this assertion appears to be a weak one. It's more probable that prices would increase, leaving customers out of pocket.

Will we see the resurgence of roaming charges?

The European Union has made inroads into squeezing mobile phone companies' roaming charges which have been causing holidaymakers heartache for years. From July next year the extra fees will bhe completely scrapped, having already been reduced considerably this year. The remain side say that "these arrangements, which benefit millions of British travellers every year, would not be guaranteed to continue were the UK to leave the European Union".

It's difficult to fathom that in any case a British government would bring back the fees, but anything is possible.

Will we need visas to head to the Mediterranean?

Unlikely. Britain's tourism deficit rests heavily towards what we spent abroad rather than what we attract in tourism income. Bar and hotel owners in Spain, Greece and Portugal reap the benefit of this factor, and their governments surely wouldn't provide too much of an obstruction to the Brits flocking to their beaches.

Britain's tourism deficit rests heavily towards what we spent abroad rather than what we attract in tourism income

Will foreign healthcare get more expensive?

European Health Insurance Cards provide the same healthcare as the locals of the country, true. But Britain already had various health agreements with several EU countries prior to the sweeping changes to health brought in by the body. It's likely that a similar set of agreements would be put in place, but many travel insurance companies have the possibility of hiking up premiums for those without the cards.