Research has revealed that nearly a quarter of Brits revisit travel memories every week, while Gen Z leads a surprising scrapbook revival despite social media dominance. Olivia Palamountain reports

Holiday photographs provide a significant mood boost for the vast majority of Britons, says a new study by study by Holidaycottages.co.uk.

The research reveals that 93% feel better when looking back at travel memories, whilst younger generations are driving an unexpected revival in scrapbooking.

The found that nearly a quarter of adults revisit their holiday photos at least once a week, with three in five describing the experience as joyful. A whopping 99% of respondents looking back at holiday photos at least annually.
The findings suggest travel photography serves as a crucial wellbeing tool during a period when mental health challenges affect one in five UK adults.

Four in five respondents reported that viewing holiday photographs helps them feel closer to loved ones and reconnect with friends and family, though this emotional connection decreases with age. Nine in 10 people aged 18-24 experience this reconnection compared to 6.5 in 10 of those over 65.

The research also reveals distinct generational differences in both photographic preferences and how memories are preserved. Whilst landscapes and scenery remain the most popular holiday subjects overall, older adults show stronger preferences for traditional photography, with over 85% of 55-year-olds capturing landscapes compared to 66% of Gen Z.

Younger travellers demonstrate markedly different priorities, with almost half photographing food during holidays compared to just one in five of those over 55. Selfies also feature prominently among under-45s, reflecting social media's influence on travel documentation.

However, the study reveals a surprising trend in memory preservation. Despite their digital nativity, younger generations are embracing physical scrapbooking far more than older adults. Over half of 25-34 year olds create scrapbooks of holiday photos compared to just one in four of those over 45."Holiday photos have an incredible ability to transport us back to moments of joy, laughter, and connection," says Sarah Pring, digital PR manager at Holidaycottages.co.uk. "Whether it's a funny mishap or photos of loved ones, these snapshots hold deep emotional value."

The emotional impact of holiday photography varies significantly by age group. Whilst 75% of those over 65 experience nostalgia when viewing travel photos, only 38% report feelings of joy. This pattern reverses among 25-34 year olds, where 76% primarily feel joy rather than nostalgia.

The findings suggest holiday photographs serve different psychological functions across generations. Older adults appear to use travel images primarily for nostalgic reflection, whilst younger people seek immediate emotional uplift and social connection through their holiday memories.

The research indicates that despite technological advances enabling instant photo sharing and digital storage, physical preservation methods remain important. The resurgence of scrapbooking among millennials and Gen Z suggests a desire for tangible memory keeping that complements rather than replaces digital platforms.

Social media consumption patterns also vary dramatically by age. Almost half of those over 65 never scroll through social media to relive holiday memories, compared to just 6% of 18-24 year olds, highlighting different approaches to memory engagement across generations.