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British consumers are determined to keep spending on holidays this year and will instead cut back in other areas as the cost-of-living squeeze tightens its grip.
The latest evidence of the resilience of holiday bookings comes as the UK’s official inflation rate reached 9% on Wednesday (18 May), its highest level for 40 years.
Elsewhere, national press reports suggest a crash involving a China Eastern Airlines flight in March may have been a deliberate act, while Tui has had to cancel holidays to Sri Lanka after the Foreign Office changed its travel advice.
Here are the headlines travel woke up to on Wednesday (18 May).
Consumers cut back on restaurants and fashion, but not travel
Research suggests most consumers are not prepared to reduce spending on holidays this year and will instead cut back on eating out and buying clothes. Fewer than half (46%) of people in the UK said they would cut back on travel, despite the cost-of-living squeeze. (The Independent)
UK inflation at highest rate for 40 years as energy bills soar
Prices are rising at their fastest rate for 40 years as higher energy bills hit millions of households. UK inflation rose to 9% in the 12 months to April, up from 7% in March, according to the latest official economic data. (BBC News)
Sunak faces Tory pressure to act on cost of living
Senior Conservative MPs are pressuring chancellor Rishi Sunak to take “decisive action” to tackle the cost-of-living crisis by demanding a cut in VAT and an increase in benefits as inflation rose to 9%. (The Guardian)
Deliberate nosedive likely caused China Eastern Airlines plane crash
The crash of a China Eastern Airlines aircraft in March might have been a deliberate act, according to a report in the US. The Boeing 737-800 crashed into mountains in Guangxi province on 21 March killing all 132 people onboard during a domestic flight from Kunming to Guangzhou. (Sky News)
Tui cancels holidays to Sri Lanka after Foreign Office warning
Tour operator Tui is cancelling trips to Sri Lanka until the end of May after the Foreign Office advised against all non-essential travel to the destination which is currently being gripped by protests and an economic crisis. (Daily Express)
US urged to lift Covid testing requirements for travellers
The US government is under pressure from the travel industry to lift all remaining Covid travel restrictions, with hundreds of firms in the sector issuing a plea to end pre-departure testing for international visitors. (Daily Mirror)
