A new study has shared the top priority for young people approaching 30 – and it’s not getting on the property ladder or tying the knot. 

Ahead of hitting the landmark birthday, Gen Z’s main goal is taking a bucket-list long-haul trip.

The data from holiday company First Choice shows that traditional milestones are losing traction with the social media generation as one in four young Brits said they feel “anxious” about turning 30 (27%), and a third (31%) feel they should have had more exciting life experiences.

With a quarter of those surveyed – aged between 25-29 – saying they have a burning desire to push out of their comfort zone, the research found that nearly half (44%) of young Brits are determined to take a big trip before their 30th birthday.

Jetting off abroad beats out buying a house (40%) as well as getting engaged or married (36%) as a pre-30 priority.

Over half of the respondents (58%) have been to just five countries or less. So it is perhaps no surprise that they see turning 30 as something of a deadline for new travel experiences. 

Long-haul bucket list destinations topping Gen Z and millennial wish lists are Thailand, Barbados and Mexico – popular destinations for explorations of new cultures, whilst also packing a punch of nature and nightlife.  

But while these far-flung destinations spark their ambition for adventure, hefty costs are holding half of the participants back (53%). 

In light of the research, First Choice is now aiming to help 20-somethings make their dream trips a reality. The company is offering £250 off long-haul destinations that rank in the top 10. 

“We very much get the pressure that comes with approaching 30,” said managing director of First Choice, Bart Quinton Smith.

“In fact, like many of our customers, the First Choice brand is a 90s baby and in September 2024 we hit the milestone birthday ourselves.

“Loads of our customers grew up with us, going on their family resort holidays to a Splashworld in the 00s and their first boozy trip to Kos or Malaga with us in their late teens.

“Now we’re all approaching a new era and we want to be with them for the next phase of their travel dreams.”

First Choice currently has flight+hotel deals to Thailand starting from £951*, as well as Mexico at £1,134* and Barbados at £1,309*

The offer stands for all trips departing between 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025, with a minimum spend of £2,000.