Spending data from building society Nationwide shows its customers spent nearly £432 million on holidays during February – an increase of a 520% compared with February 2021 when the UK was locked down and spending on holidays reached only £69.6 million for the month.

While holidays saw the largest increase compared with February 2021, travel more broadly came in second with a 436% increase after consumers splashed out £133 million last month, compared with just £25 million four years ago.

Nationwide added total consumer spending was up by 49% last month compared with February 2021.Other sectors seeing triple digit increases over the same period were leisure and recreation, eating and drinking out, and health and beauty.

Nationwide also reported online dating had seen the largest fall in consumer spending between February 2021 and February 2025, while there were also dips in expenditure on DIY and gambling.

Mark Nalder, Nationwide’s payments strategy director, added: “Back in 2021, lockdown shaped our lives and our spending. This forced people to focus and invest in their home life – from television subscriptions and home improvements to supermarket deliveries and even how they dated.

“Fast forward to 2025 and priorities have clearly shifted, with people choosing to live life to the fullest away from the home through holidays, travel and socialising.”