Piling up debt for that perfect shot – Daily Business Magazine

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

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

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