Latest news with #Eurochange
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Swap Majorca for these ‘destination dupes' where you can get a beer for under £2 and beaches with no crowds
LOVE Majorca, but want to find somewhere else with less crowds and new spots to explore? Well, here are six pretty alternatives. Majorca is becoming busier and busier each year with tourists. 8 Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here So, the people at Eurochange have found six lesser-known holiday spots across Europe, that are similar to the popular Balearic destination. Mdina, Malta Mdina is known as Malta's old capital, surrounded by historic walls. If you have a soft spot for Majorca's capital city, Palma, then you are bound to love Mdina in Malta. Although it is much smaller than the Majorcan city, Mdina has many similarities to Palma in terms of its warm, year-round climate and the gorgeous, quaint, cobbled streets you can wander in its old town. Dubbed the 'silent city', it is known for its peaceful ambience, with very limited road traffic. Mdina is also one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with a history dating back 4,000 years. From its towering city walls, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island. It's also worth a visit for Game of Thrones fans. It has been used as a filming location for a number of scenes in the epic drama! You can catch a direct flight to Valletta from select UK airports. 8 For example, you could fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh on August 19 and return on August 27 for £110. Or you could fly with Ryanair from Bournemouth on August 27 and return on August 31 for £162. There is plenty of accommodation still available throughout August too, with stays as little as £22 per night. And for when you're there, the average price of a beer is €4.00 (£3.19) and a meal will set you back around €18.00 (£14.34). La Gomera, Spain The volcanic island of La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and features rugged yet breathtaking landscapes. If an adventure or hiking holiday is your thing, La Gomera is a must visit. Known for its dramatic landscapes, lush forests, steep cliffs, and volcanic formations, the island is also home to the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While the island is not as well known for its beaches as other Canary Islands, it does have some secluded stretches of black sand. Like other islands in the region, La Gomera benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year too. And, its low light pollution means it's an excellent spot for stargazing. 8 You can get a flight to Tenerife from Edinburgh on August 15 and return on August 21 for £74 with Jet2. Or you could fly from Glasgow on August 19 and return on August 23 for £107 with Jet2 and TUI. Hotels on can also be found for August as low as £50 per night. When there, you can also expect to spend around €2.50 (£1.99) on beer and roughly €15.00 (£11.95) per meal. Llafranc, Spain Llafranc is one of three coastal towns that can be found in the Palafrugell region of Girona, Spain. Llafranc, a coastal town in the Costa Brava is a great alternative option for those who love Majorca's beach resorts. Boasting a picturesque crescent-shaped beach with crystal-clear waters, it is the ideal relaxing swimming and sunbathing spot. The town is also part of the Camí de Ronda, a coastal path that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and connects to quaint nearby towns like Calella de Palafrugell, also well worth a visit. The spot is good for foodies too, with the coastal town being well-known for its fresh seafood restaurants and traditional Catalan dishes. 8 You could fly direct from Belfast to Girona on August 18 and return on August 23 for £85 with Ryanair. Or you could head off from Bournemouth Airport on August 24 and return on August 27 for £98 with Ryanair. For those in the capital, you could grab a flight with Ryanair from London Stansted on August 20 and return on August 22 for £98. There is still some availability for hotels in August, with some rooms as low as £126 per night. When in Llafranc, beers cost around €3.00 (£2.39) and the average meal costs €14.50 (£11.55). Carvoerio, Portugal Carvoeiro in Portugal is known for being a relaxed resort town, away from the more busy Algarve resorts. A lesser known spot in Portugal's popular Algarve region, Carvoerio is another stunning, relaxed coastal town, suitable for families, couples or solo travellers. If you're up for a little exploring when you're there, it's definitely worth visiting the 'Algar Seco', a unique rock formation in the sea which you can swim up to, or you can even take a kayak or boat trip at dawn or sunset for some truly incredible views. You could hop on a flight from Aberdeen to Faro on August 18 and return on the August 24 for £71. 8 Or you could head from Birmingham Airport on August 17 and return on August 24 for £67 with Ryanair. Airbnb stays are still available from £22 per night in August. When in Carvoerio, beer on average costs €2.50 (£1.99) and a meal is around €12.00 (£9.56). Lassithi, Crete Lassithi is located at one end of the island of Crete, in Greece and features numerous mountainous villages. If you're looking to escape the crowds this summer, then Lassithi is a fantastic holiday spot, offering a peaceful, authentic Greek experience, with very reasonable prices too. Lassithi's coastline is much less developed and often more secluded than those in Majorca, so you won't need to worry about being able to get a secluded sunbathing spot. This region is also a must visit for foodies, some of the best Greek produce is made here including olive oil and honey. You could also visit one of the many olive oil farms in the region as well. 8 Flights from Newcastle to Heraklion on August 15 and returning on August 20 cost £109 with Ryanair. Or you could head from Nottingham on August 15 and return on August 22 for £124 with TUI. Airbnb stays are still available in August from £32 per night. And when in Lassithi, you will be able to pick up a pint for around €5.00 (£3.98) and a meal for €11.00 (£8.76). Salina, Sicily Finally, Salina is one of the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily and features fewer crowds than Majorca. It attracts far fewer tourists, but that doesn't mean it's any less beautiful. As part of the 'Aeolian Archipelago' landscape, Salina offers unique volcanic scenery, including two dormant volcanoes, which are fantastic hiking spots. Though Salina does feature fewer beaches than Majorca, there are often less crowds. 8 Living up to its Italian roots, Salina is also known for its authentic Sicilian cuisine. You're likely to see local ingredients such as capers, sweet Malvasia wine, and fresh seafood on the menu. You can hop on a flight from Edinburgh to Palermo on August 20 and return on August 28 for £205 with Ryanair and easyJet. Hotels are still available on from £70 per night for August. And when you are there a beer will set you back €5.00 (£3.98) on average and a meal around €12.00 (£9.56). These are the hidden gems loved by locals on Spain's biggest island including secret bars, and cheap beach clubs. Plus, the tiny 'Bali of Europe' town right by Africa has beautiful beaches and £20 flights from the UK. 8
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Majorca 'dupe' has beautiful beaches, no crowds and £1.99 beers
It's often overlooked by tourists flocking to the likes of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but La Gomera is a peaceful paradise that should be on every travel lover's list When the Canary Islands spring to mind, you're likely to envision places like Tenerife and Gran Canaria - teeming with tourists, lively nightlife, and golden beaches. But what if you're seeking something a bit more serene? There's one Canary Island that often gets overlooked, and that's exactly what makes it unique. La Gomera is a tranquil haven just a brief ferry journey from Tenerife and a sanctuary for those in search of peace. It is a perfect place for a holiday, with its verdant landscapes and dramatic cliffs. Unlike its busier counterparts, La Gomera isn't swamped with tourists. That is why it has been named one of six dupes for Majorca. The Spanish Balearic island receives a colossal 17.8 million tourists each year, which can leave the place feeling a little overwhelming. The travel experts at Eurochange have shared lesser-known holiday spots across Europe that have several similarities to the popular Balearic destination. And, there are still plenty of incredibly cheap direct UK flights available this August. Right now, it is possible to book direct return flights to Tenerife from Glasgow, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, starting from £87 in August. From there, it's just a 50-minute ferry to La Gomera. Hotels on available from £50 per night, while beer will set you back just £1.99 and the average meal out costs £11.95. The island offers a slower pace of life, making it the ideal spot to rejuvenate and reconnect with nature. Even better, it can reach temperatures of 21 °C in March with up to ten hours of sunshine each day, providing a heavenly escape from the northern European winter. Flights to Tenerife often cost less than £110, and from there, it's a picturesque 50-minute ferry ride to La Gomera. The journey itself is an adventure, with views of the shimmering Atlantic and, if you're fortunate, a chance to spot dolphins. The island's crown jewel is Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Blanketed in ancient laurel forests, the park feels like something out of a fairytale. La Gomera is also sprinkled with charming villages that seem frozen in time. Vallehermoso, with its vibrant houses and welcoming locals, is a must-see. Don't miss Agulo, often dubbed the "pearl of La Gomera" for its stunning views and cobbled streets. Food lovers will be smitten with La Gomera's distinctive cuisine. Give "almogrote," a rich cheese spread, a go, or try "miel de palma," a sweet syrup derived from palm trees. While the beaches here may not be as expansive as those in Tenerife, La Gomera has some hidden treasures. Playa de Santiago is a tranquil spot to bask in the sun, while Valle Gran Rey boasts striking black-sand beaches and spectacular sunsets.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Western Union Co (WU) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with ...
Revenue: $1,026 million for Q2 2025, a 1% decline year-over-year excluding Iraq. Adjusted Operating Margin: 19% for Q2 2025, consistent with the same period last year. Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $0.42 compared to $0.44 in Q2 2024. Consumer Money Transfer Transactions: Declined 3% in Q2 2025, or 2% excluding Iraq. Branded Digital Business Revenue: Increased by 6% with a 9% rise in transactions for Q2 2025. Consumer Services Adjusted Revenue Growth: Up 40% in Q2 2025, driven by Eurochange acquisition and strong European travel. Cash Flow from Operations: $148 million year-to-date compared to $60 million in the prior year period. Capital Expenditures: $54 million year-to-date, 15% lower than the prior year. Cash and Cash Equivalents: $1 billion. Debt: $2.7 billion. Shareholder Returns: Over $150 million returned via dividends and share repurchases in Q2 2025. 2025 Revenue Outlook: Adjusted revenue expected to be $4,035 million to $4,135 million. 2025 Operating Margin Outlook: Expected to be in the range of 19% to 21%. 2025 Adjusted EPS Outlook: Expected to be in the range of $1.65 to $1.75. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with WU. Release Date: July 28, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points The Western Union Co (NYSE:WU) reported a reasonable quarter despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, maintaining above industry average margins. The company's branded digital business saw a 9% increase in transactions and a 6% rise in adjusted revenue, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of solid revenue growth. Consumer services adjusted revenue grew by 40%, driven by the acquisition of Eurochange and strong European travel, contributing significantly to the company's performance. The company is actively integrating AI capabilities into its operations, resulting in improved customer service and operational efficiencies. The Western Union Co (NYSE:WU) is exploring opportunities with Stablecoins, which could enhance settlement speed and reduce dependency on legacy banking systems, potentially improving global liquidity management. Negative Points The Western Union Co (NYSE:WU) experienced a 1% decline in adjusted revenue year-over-year, excluding impacts from Iraq, with consumer money transfer transactions down 3%. The retail business in the Americas faced headwinds due to geopolitical challenges, impacting transaction volumes. The company observed a slowdown in digital transactions from the United States to Latin America, particularly in the US to Mexico corridor. Recent immigration enforcement activities in the US have created short-term headwinds, affecting transactional activity and customer behavior. The introduction of a 1% remittance tax on cash-based transactions in the US could impact the company's revenue, although efforts are being made to mitigate this through increased digital and card-based transactions. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you provide more details on the Eurochange acquisition and its impact on revenue growth? A: Matthew Cagwin, CFO, confirmed that Eurochange contributed about 2% to revenue growth in the quarter. The acquisition is performing better than expected, and they are optimistic about its future contributions, especially in the Travel Money business. Q: Are you seeing a shift from retail to digital channels due to the immigration crackdown in North America? A: Devin McGranahan, CEO, stated that there has been no significant shift from retail to digital channels. Both retail and digital channels experienced a slowdown, particularly in the US to Mexico corridor. Q: Can you elaborate on the slowdown in digital transactions and its impact? A: Matthew Cagwin explained that the slowdown in digital transactions is primarily in US outbound to Latin America, especially Mexico. This is consistent with central bank reports of reduced inbound transactions. Q: What opportunities do you see with Stablecoins, particularly regarding on-ramp and off-ramp solutions? A: Devin McGranahan highlighted that Western Union's infrastructure is well-suited for converting Stablecoins to local fiat currencies. They are exploring partnerships and pilots in South America and Africa to leverage this capability. Q: How are political headwinds affecting your business in the US-Mexico corridor? A: Devin McGranahan noted that the impact is volatile, with fluctuations in activity and media attention affecting customer behavior. They are closely monitoring the situation but cannot predict future trends with certainty. Q: What is the demand for Stablecoins in emerging markets, and how is Western Union positioning itself? A: Devin McGranahan mentioned that there is interest from platform providers and B2B solutions for using Stablecoins to improve efficiency in money transfers. They are actively working with partners in Latin America to explore these opportunities. Q: Given the tightening US immigration policy, will you adjust your Evolve 2025 strategy? A: Devin McGranahan affirmed their commitment to the strategy, emphasizing the resilience of their customer base. They plan to focus more on non-remittance products and services, such as their digital wallet, to drive growth. Q: How will the 1% remittance tax impact your business, and what measures are you taking? A: Devin McGranahan explained that the tax will primarily affect cash and prepaid card transactions. They are implementing systems to collect the tax and expect it to incentivize customers to use debit cards and digital wallets, reducing the tax's impact. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
