Britons spend £800m in foreign change at airports

BRITISH tourists have collectively spent more than £800 million at airports during the past five years using up unwanted foreign currency, research shows today.

The average British holidaymaker offloaded £48 at the airport during the period, although around 300,000 have spent more than £1000 and an estimated 46,000 have got through £2500, according to Halifax Travel Insurance.

Men are more likely to use up their leftover cash on last-minute purchases than women, spending an average of £61 each during the past five years, compared with women's £37.

Perfume and aftershave were the most popular airport purchases, followed by alcohol, food, souvenirs and cigarettes. Books, cosmetics, CDs, jewellery and DVDs were all also popular. When spending using credit cards and travellers' cheques is also taken into account, Britons have collectively spent £4 billion on unplanned airport purchases during the past five years, an average of £183 each.