Spending on travel highest since start of the pandemic
UK consumers spend more this October on international travel than since before the start of the pandemic, according to data from Barclaycard
Barclaycard said this data was ‘encouraging news’ for the travel sector, as overall consumer card spending grew by 14.2 per cent in October 2021 compared to October 2020.
Jose Carvalho, Head of Consumer Products, said the ‘expensive festive period’ combined with ‘ongoing concerns around the impact of inflation and supply chain shortages’ has led to a ‘steady yet cautious’ spending from consumers in October.
Keen to enjoy leisure activities
"While the uncertainty around rising household bills appears to be weighing on Brits’ minds,” he added, “the encouraging growth we’ve seen in entertainment and international travel shows that consumers are still keen to enjoy leisure activities and holidays.”
Meanwhile, new research by travel insurance provider battleface has found that while 50 per cent of Brits have been saving more since the pandemic, two-fifths (41 per cent) of Brits are planning to spend more on their holidays once international travel resumes.