Going that extra mile

Here to stay(cation)

According to recent Cardlytics data, we found that UK staycations will be most popular among holiday makers, with nearly half (44%) of those planning to go on holiday this year opting to stay local, compared to short-haul (38%) and long-haul (24%) destinations. Holiday lettings providers like Airbnb and Vrbo have also seen increased transaction volumes maintain year-on-year. Transaction volumes a year ago (December 2022 into January 2023) hiked 54% year-on-year, reaching 60,353 transactions, with similarly high levels this year (58,562 transactions) indicating a shift from more expensive hotel bookings.

Tour de Force

Tour operator providers such as Tui, Virgin Holidays and Jet2 have seen a continuation of their post-Covid revival, with transaction volumes growing 7% year-on-year, after a massive 61% growth against the previous period (December 2021 into January 2022). This is a further indicator of travellers seeking value where they can.

Airlines take off

Alongside those seeking to stay local, airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also saw a rise in spending, with overall spending up 13% year-on-year, and transaction volumes up 15% in the same time period. This indicates those that can afford longer-haul destinations are prioritising doing so, as the high cost-of-living shows signs of easing. Budget airlines also saw a 3% rise in spending, with the volume of transactions up 2% year-
on-year.
According to Hannah Collins, Partnership Director, Travel: “We are continuing to see the real effect the cost-of-living crisis is having on travel spending, with the increase in domestic holiday bookings demonstrating the focus on finding more affordable getaway options. “That said, people are on the hunt for their ideal 2024 holiday – they’re just seeking the best possible deals and promotions on the market. With that in mind, travel brands and booking sites need to ensure they’re offering the most targeted and personalised discounts and rewards to ensure they continue to attract and retain customers to drive incremental growth in what’s set to be another tough operating environment this year.”

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Download our infographic here.

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Cardlytics data is based on spending from over 20 million UK bank accounts. This data is based on spending between (unless stated): The four weeks leading up to 8th January of each year:

• This year (2023/24): 7th December 2023 – 8th January 2024
• Last year (2022/23): 8th December 2022 – 7th January 2023
• 2021/22: 9th December 2021 – 6 th January 2022

The poll was conducted by Opinium, based on a sample of 2,000 adults between 12-16th January 2024.

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