Cultural battle expected between European cities

Exchange rates and living costs are expected to prove an important factor in the forthcoming "battle" between the three European Capitals of Culture for 2010 - Istanbul in Turkey, Pecs in Hungary and the Ruhr Metropolis in Germany.

Post Office Travel Money released a report identifying Istanbul as the "most obvious winner", following a 23 per cent increase in visitors last year and an "impressive" calendar of events lined up for 2010.

However, the company revealed that tourist items in Turkey have risen in cost by around 44 per cent this year, while Hungary was found to be the cheapest of 30 countries surveyed in a recent study.

Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: "With rising prices in Turkey and cheaper costs in Hungary, there is some justification for thinking that Pecs is limbering up for a cultural contest in which it could wrest the spotlight from Istanbul."

Germany's Ruhr Metropolis was described as the "dark horse", although the appeal of its "unique industrial heritage" could be cancelled out by the low value of sterling against the euro.

In the most recent Post Office report on the cost of galleries, museums and heritage sites, Warsaw, Lisbon and Prague were found to be the cheapest cultural hotspots.

Posted by Mike, 01 February 2010 13:08

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