PE.com - Tourism Blog

I Have Terrible Timing

Never have currency exchange rates made me panic, until now.

I'm going to England and Ireland in March and am just starting the fathom that my $1 is worth about 50 cents in Britain.

But one person's panic is a British person's dream. Palm Springs hotelier Tim Ellis, general manager of the Palm Mountain Resort & Spa, sees the sliver lining.

"We really need to capitalize on that exchange rate," he said. "We've got an enormous opportunity this summer."

The US/UK exchange rate is at its highest in five years.

In honor of the occasion, here are a few currency conversions for popular Inland tourist sites (rate as of 2/16/07):

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
U.S. price: $21.95 (adults), $14.95 (children)
Brit price: 11.26 pounds (adults), 7.67 pounds (children)

Mission Inn hotel room
U.S. price: $205-$295 (deluxe room), $650-$1,000 (presidential suite)
Brit price: 105.15-151.37 pounds (deluxe room), 333.40-512.92 pounds (presidential suite)

Temecula hot air balloon ride
U.S. price: $128-$148
Brit price: 65.65-75.91 pounds

Gambling at Pechanga, Casino Morongo, Agua Caliente Casino, Fantasy Springs, etc
U.S. price: whatever you're willing to lose
Brit price: whatever you're willing to lose ... divided by half

-- KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
kpierceall@PE.com