Young piling up debt for that perfect shot

Wandering along winding streets is a popular holiday shot (pic of Rue Georges Clemenceau, St Tropez, by Terry Murden)

Younger people are dicing with debt to avoid missing those holiday moments, writes JULENA DRUMI

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Those photos of happy, smiling holidaymakers, soaking up the sun and holding a glass of something potent, may be concealing a darker truth. A survey reveals that younger people feel under pressure to live a lifestyle they cannot afford, with almost six in ten (58%) willing to go into debt if it enables them to get the perfect holiday snapshot they can share on social media.

Three-quarters (73%) of Gen Z and Millennials admitted that capturing content to put on social media is the first thing they think about when they plan a holiday.

“Cocktail at golden hour” is the top Instagram shot or TikTok post, (30%), followed by “the airport tipple” (27%), “the holiday dinner table” (23%) and “walking into the sea” (22%).

Other “moments” Brits willingly go into the red to post are “the classic mirror selfie in hotel lift”, “the gelato close up” and “showing off your #booktok by the pool”.

The study by First Choice, found a quarter (25%) have paid well over the odds for access to exclusive beach clubs, while 23% have bought holiday outfits that have left them out of pocket.

It also found that holidays come in thick and fast – with Gen Z and Millennials forking out for an average of seven trips a year. More than a quarter (27%) believe that regular holidays are the key to a happy life. Gen Z are prepared to spend an average £2,200 over their budget.

Despite the holiday addiction, 71% feel obliged to go on trips they cannot afford and 57% say that makes them feel embarrassed.

Almost all respondents (90%) said capturing and documenting their lives is a generational expectation – so much so they would happily spend 20 minutes on average making sure they get the perfect shot.

Just under half (43%) have used a credit card to pay for a trip away, while the same number have had to dig into savings. Almost one in five (18%) have even used their student loan while 14% have taken out a loan.

Kevin Nelson, managing director of First Choice, says: “Our research highlights a real struggle young Brits face in trying to balance their social aspirations with financial realities.”

GEN Z TOP INSTA SHOTS AND TIKTOK POSTS

1. Cocktail at Golden Hour – 30%
2. The Airport Pint – 27%
3. The dinner table spread – 23%
4. Walking into the sea – 22%
5. Classic mirror selfie in hotel lift – 20%
6. The Gelato Close-Up – 19%
7. Showing off your #booktok (video book review) by the pool – 18%
8. Feet (or Toes) by the Pool Shot – 17%
9. The Dramatic Cliff or Mountain Pose – 16%
10. Suitcase packed and ready to go – 15%
11. Fancy “Dinner by the Sea” snap – 13%
12. Infinity Pool + Distant Mountains – 13%
13. A Local Beer ‘Cheers’ Pic – 13%
14. Standing in the sea with wet hair – 13%
15. Aesthetic shot of your beach bag – 12%
16. Wandering through winding streets -11%
17. The holiday manicure – 11%
18. Sunburn Selfie (Accidental or Brag) – 10%
19. Boat Trip + hair in the wind shot – 10%
20. The Floating Breakfast in a Pool (Bali Version) – 9%

This research of 2,000 Brits aged between 18 and 44 was commissioned by First Choice and conducted by Perspectus Global in July 20