27% are left feeling so jealous of their friend’s holiday, they end up booking their own.

The research, from Teletext Holidays, found that Australia, Bahamas and Barbados are the most envy-inducing destinations.

According to the study, 10% of people went on to arrange their own holiday after seeing someone else’s trip on Facebook, even if they originally had no plans to go away.

Almost a fifth booked an identical trip, including the same hotel, apartment or villa, after hearing about their friend’s holiday.

Holiday bragging is rife, with a quarter of Brits regularly updating their social networking profile with details of the weather and the fun they are having.

Mark Bloxham, marketing director, Teletext Holidays: “It’s not surprising that holiday envy is on the rise. Social networking sites make it easier than ever to gloat about where you’ve been or where you are going.”

“More people are updating their status from their sunlounger or posting photos of themselves at the airport, on the beach or next to a world famous landmark, so it’s not surprising that anyone reading it wants some of the excitement for themselves.”

“New technology means that the minute you’ve booked a holiday you can immediately share that information with friends – who can then go on to book exactly the same trip.”

The top ten destinations most likely to induce jealousy:

   1. Australia
   2. Bahamas
   3. Barbados
   4. United States of America
   5. Maldives
   6. New Zealand
   7. Mauritius
   8. Florida
   9. Seychelles
  10. Canada
  11. Thailand
  12. Dubai
  13. Mexico
  14. Brazil
  15. Dominican Republic
  16. Italy
  17. Jamaica
  18. Cuba
  19. South Africa
  20. Egypt