UK travel spending continued to grow in September, rising 2% year-on-year, while spending through travel agents increased by 3.2%, with transactions up by 5.5%, according to the latest Barclays UK Consumer Spend Report.
The report, which analyses UK customers’ credit and debit card spending, shows the rate of growth in agent spending slowed from August, when it rose by 4.4% year-on-year.
Meanwhile airline spending increased 2.2% in September, with transactions up by 0.4% compared with 3.5% spending growth and a 1% increase in transactions in August.
Spending on hotels, resorts and other accommodation providers also grew, up 2.7% year-on-year.
Public transport was the only travel category to record a fall, with spending down 0.8%.
The figures came as overall UK consumer card spending increased 2% year-on-year in September, slightly below August’s 2.1% growth and the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.3%.
However, confidence in household finances reached a seven-month high of 67%, despite uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget.
The report found 68% of consumers were concerned about the potential impact of the Budget on their household finances, while 30% said they were reducing non-essential spending.
Head of Spend Insights Rohan Kumar said: “Spending maintained momentum in September, with growth across both essential and non-essential categories as confidence in household finances reached a seven-month high. Warmer weather supported another strong month for hospitality and leisure, while the rise in digital subscriptions suggests consumers are balancing socialising with autumn nights at home, even as pre-Budget uncertainty keeps value and careful decision-making front of mind.”
