Almost €297 million was spent in pubs, hotels and restaurants in May 2024, according to AIB’s spend trend.

 The number of AIB customers using their cards last month was up 9 per cent on May 2023.

Spend in pubs increased 10 per cent in the month, compared to a 12 per cent decrease in the month in May 2023; spend in restaurants increased 6 per cent in the month, compared to a 6 per cent decrease in the same month last year; and spend in hotels increased 5 per cent month on month, compared to a 10 per cent decrease in May 2023.

The biggest increase in spending in pubs in the month was in Leitrim (+20 per cent), followed by Westmeath (+18 per cent), and Kilkenny (+16 per cent).

For restaurants, the biggest increase in spending was in Kilkenny (+9 per cent), followed by Mayo and Waterford (+8 per cent).

People from Longford saw the biggest increase in spending on hotels (+18 per cent) followed by Offaly (+11 per cent) and Wexford (+10 per cent).

The monthly data was compiled from 75 million debit and credit card transactions in store and online during May 2024 and has been anonymised and aggregated.

Clothes spending increased 8 per cent, the biggest increase was in Carlow (+12 per ent), Louth (+12 per cent) and Westmeath (+11 per cent).

Spending on electric vehicle charging increased 107 per cent compared with May 2023. Spending in bike shops also increased 6 per cent month on month.

Airline spending fell 6 per cent compared to a 2 per cent increase in May 2023 and spend on electronics decreased 5 per cent, also compared to a 2 per cent increase in May 2023.

Spend on groceries, health and beauty and hardware increased 5 per cent, and spend on homewares increased 4 per cent.

Speaking about the data, John Brennan, head of SME Banking at AIB said: “These figures are heartening for the hospitality sector in particular, as we head into the busy summer months.

“Spending in pubs, restaurants and hotels is up which is to be welcomed, especially when you consider there were decreases for these sectors during the same month last year.

“This positive trend is a good sign for a strong summer season. Increased spend on clothing also points to people hoping for warmer weather.”