Facebook is now the most popular way to update those at home.

Social media is now the most popular way for travellers to communicate with friends and family back home, while only six per cent now send a postcard when they go on holiday, according to a survey by Skyscanner.

Once the most popular form of communication while on foreign shores, the postcard has been replaced by social networks – more than two-thirds (61 per cent) say they log on from the sun and almost a third (30 per cent) use it as their primary means of telling those back home about their trip.

With more than one billion monthly active users, Facebook is now the most popular way to update those at home accounting for over a quarter (26 per cent).

While almost a quarter stay in touch by sending text messages, one in five admit to not making any effort to contact those at home, preferring to relax and unwind, taking a complete break from their everyday life.

Four per cent check their news feeds every few hours

Half of all holidaymakers admit to logging into their social networks at least every few days, while four per cent check their news feeds every couple of hours.

The survey of 1,200 travellers by the leading travel search website also revealed that travel agent brochures may also be a thing of the past, with 89 per cent of travellers no longer using brochures for holiday inspiration.

Instead, travellers are turning to technology – 23 per cent turn to travel company websites when deciding where to go on holiday and 22 per cent to social media sites.

When we are on holiday how do we tell others about our trip?

26% Facebook
24% text message
14% phone
14% I wouldn’t contact anyone
9% Skype
6% postcard
2% Twitter
(5% other, including Instagram and Pinterest)