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Spending on hotels, resorts and accommodation rose 16.6% in April compared to pre-Covid levels, marking the category’s highest growth since September last year.
According to Barclaycard, consumer card spending as a whole grew 18.1% in April, the highest uplift since October 2021, with the travel sector seeing its best month since before the pandemic.
International travel also had its best month since pre-Covid, with airlines and travel agents seeing “significant” improvements, declining just -3.5% and -9.9% respectively, compared to last month’s contractions of -10.7% and -12.0%.
This comes as more than a fifth (21%) of Brits say they are making social or holiday plans for the long weekend in June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with 16% opting for a staycation in the UK.
José Carvalho, head of consumer products at Barclaycard, said: “The impact of rising living costs on consumer spending is starting to show.
“However, the improvements seen by airlines and travel agents are particularly positive, and hopefully point to a recovery in spending on international travel later this year.”
He added: “While concerns around rising household bills may continue to hamper spending on non-essential items, the upcoming Platinum Jubilee Weekend and summer months should provide opportunities for Brits to spend on celebrations and make the most of warmer weather.”
