Travel agents saw the number of debit and credit card transactions increase 12% last month, when customers spent 7% more than in February.

Data from Barclays , which accounts for almost 50% of card transactions in the UK, shows that overall spend on travel was up nearly 8% in March, but this included public transport as well as holidays.

Card holders spent 9.7% more on flights during the month, but just 1% more on hotels.

Barclays said online transactions were up almost 6%, with people spending 3.5% more, while face-to-face transactions were up just 0.6% and spending 1.2% higher.