Consumers prioritising travel spend in 2022
British consumers are prioritising travel at the start of 2022, taking advantage of reduced global travel restrictions.
Data from UK credit provider NewDay showed average credit card spend on hotels, flights and travel pacjages increased 453% in January and February 2022 year-on-year
The spending trends data found people felt more confident in going out and socialising after the further lifting of Covid restrictions in England.
Entertainment-related spend including bars, nightclubs, restaurants, theatres and sports increased by 171% for January and February
Total overall credit card spend increased 27% in the first two months of 2022 and showed double-digit growth against pre-pandemic levels (19%).
Restaurant spend increased from the lows of last year with average spend increasing 149% as people ate out more.
Sharvan Selvam, Direct to Consumer Commercial Director, said: “People are making up for their lack of holidays abroad and embracing unrestricted social freedoms despite the rising cost of living. It will be interesting to see if these trends continue into the second quarter as the cost of living continues to rise.”
Credit cards remain a popular option for consumers when it comes to booking flights and hotels, with added protection under the Consumer Credit Act.
Ray Monty
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain