Travelling Britons bring back £900m

Most tourists keep the money stockpiled in their homes, but 17 per cent admit to actually throwing money away when they get back, a survey by debit card company Visa Europe found.

Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they had at least 50 worth of currency left over at the end of a trip.

Most (64 per cent) bring the money home with them, but only five per cent cent always exchange it. Of those who do not bring currency home, most use it all up on the last day or spend the remainder in airport shops.

Based on responses from 1,000 UK adults who have holidayed abroad in the last 12 months, the poll showed that 34 per cent admitted buying items they did not really want to use up their loose change at the end of a trip.

Women and younger travellers seem particularly prone to spending their remaining exchange while still abroad.

But only 14 per cent of over 55-year-olds claim to have bought an item they didn’t really want for this reason.

As many as 25 per cent said they “never” exchanged their money when they got home, with half putting the cash towards their next trip.

But 10 per cent admitted the money was likely to be kept at home indefinitely.

Of those who have foreign currency in their homes, 85.8 per cent have euros and 41.90 per cent have United States dollars.

The next most popular held-on-to currency is Turkish lira, followed by Egyptian pounds.