Travel Money Market Report | September 2025
The First Rate Travel Money Market report provides insights into UK consumer behaviour around international leisure travel, with a focus on travel intentions, regional differences, types of holidays, and foreign exchange (FX) payment preferences.
Below are the key highlights from this month’s report:
- Travel Intentions Hold Steady: 60% of UK adults plan to travel abroad for leisure in the next year, with 68% of under-35s leading the optimism.
- London Tops Travel Intent: Londoners show the highest intent at 69%, while confidence dips among 35–54s amid inflation and budget concerns.
- Holiday Choices Shift Again: Independent and all-inclusive holidays gained popularity in August, while visits to friends and family declined.
- Cash Use Declines Slightly: 60% of travellers still use cash abroad, but usage dropped 2.1% YoY — especially among 35–54s.
- Branch FX Purchases Rise: 65% of travellers bought foreign currency in-branch, up from 61% last year, possibly due to cybersecurity concerns.