The FINANCIAL — Mobile usage is on the rise throughout the entire traveler journey and more are using their smartphones to book parts of their travel, according to the TripBarometer Connected Traveler report released on July 1 by TripAdvisor.
The report defines “Connected Travelers” as those who have used a smartphone to plan or book a trip and offers an in-depth insight into their habits and behaviors. The study was conducted by independent research firm Ipsos and reported on more than 44,000 global responses from travelers and the hotel sector.
Key findings:
42 percent of travelers around the world are Connected Travelers, having used a smartphone to plan or book a trip
Connected Travelers are twice as likely as all other travelers to make travel-related bookings via a mobile device: 12 percent of Connected Travelers booked their accommodation via a smartphone, as compared to 6 percent of travelers overall
Almost half (45 percent) of Connected Travelers say they “usually” use their smartphones to book activities for a trip
Almost three quarters (72 percent) of Connected Travelers use their smartphones to look for restaurants while on vacation
34 percent of Connected Travelers want their accommodation to offer mobile check-in
Top 10 Most “Connected” Countries
Nations surveyed with the greatest number of Connected Travelers:
Thailand (#1) and China (#2) lead the world with the most Connected Travelers, while the U.S. ranks #8. Just under half of U.S. travelers (48 percent) fall in to the Connected Traveler group.
1. Thailand – 65%
2. China – 65%
3. Brazil – 59%
4. Indonesia – 59%
5. Malaysia – 53%
6. Spain – 52%
7. Italy – 49%
8. U.S. – 48%
9. India – 47%
10. Australia – 47%
Emerging markets have a large number of Connected Travelers – nearly half (49 percent) of Asians fall into the Connected Traveler group and this is particularly driven by travelers in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and China. South America has the highest proportion of Connected Travelers with 57 percent followed by the Middle East (55 percent).
“The TripBarometer Connected Traveler report uncovers key emerging trends among a growing group of influential travelers using mobile devices to plan and book their trips,” said Adam Medros, senior vice president of global product, TripAdvisor. “While booking travel via mobile is ultimately on the rise for all types of travelers, Connected Travelers are far more likely to see their smartphones as a booking device, both before a trip and while in-destination. Through travel apps, Connected Travelers are also finding their way around, looking for places to eat or things to do and reading reviews to make the best choice.”
Mobile Bookings on the Rise
The smartphone is the second most popular booking device after laptops for travel activities:
45 percent of Connected Travelers say they use their smartphone to book activities for their trip, while 55 percent say they use a laptop
28 percent of global travelers use their smartphone to book things to do before a trip
Mobile apps are becoming more popular as a booking channel:
The number of people using mobile apps to book their accommodation has doubled year-over-year
8 percent of all respondents booked their accommodation using a mobile app channel, up from 4 percent in 2014; whereas 11 percent of Connected Travelers book accommodations via mobile
Among Connected Travelers who book via mobile, 24 percent usually book this way
20 percent of Connected Travelers say they booked via a mobile app because it was easier or faster to access and 29 percent felt they got a better price
Smartphones Have Become the Essential Trip Companion
Connected Travelers are more likely to want their smartphones with them on vacation to organize their trip more efficiently (44 percent) and book accommodation on the go (37 percent). They are also more likely than the average traveler to use their smartphone for travel research while in their destination: 72 percent of Connected Travelers use their mobile to look for restaurants, 67 percent use it to find things to do and 64 percent use it to read reviews.
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