How are Mobile Applications Transforming the Travel and Tourism Industry

Technology has transformed the landscape of all industries. The tourism industry is no exception. According to a recent survey, travel-based mobile apps are the 7th most-downloaded app category and almost 60% Smartphone users regularly use travel apps while planning their trips. Gone are the days when travelers relied on travel agents for making their travel arrangements. With digital tools at hand, people now prefer to make their own travel arrangements through portable and user-friendly mobile apps with their smartphone.

Mobile apps haven’t only improved travel experience of users however benefited tourism-based companies in a massive way. It’s no surprise the partnership between travel and technology is growing by the day.

>> Wants to Create a Mobile application for your Travel business : Contact our Developers

Here we tend to reveal the top reasons why travel apps have become so popular nowadays:

Advent of tablets and Smartphones

Owing to growing demand and competition, mobile companies have come up with affordable Smartphones, androids and tablets. A lot of people are downloading and using travel apps which offer a convenient solution to fulfill all their travel trip needs. Brick and mortar travel offices, guidebooks, leaflets and compass have been replaced by fully-featured mobile apps accessible to travelers anytime anyplace.

Mobile apps improve users’ travel experience

Travelers use travel apps as a medium for online ticket booking, hotel booking, getting destination details, locating local attractions and food outlets; exploring new destinations; finding reviews about a couple of destination they plan to visit; sharing pictures and videos from their travels; posting reviews on a destination, airline, hotel or event. Most of the travel Apps give latest information in a fun way about buildings and monuments you are visiting. It utilizes your Smartphone camera to place relevant pictures, videos and content on top of your phone screen.

Apps are powerful marketing tools in Travel Industry

Through apps, travel and tourism companies can enhance their visibility and presence in the competitive travel industry. It has been proved that companies following the SoLoMo (Social-Local-Mobile) trend of using social media and local platforms to connect with their users, are able to optimize their expected ROI. Groupon and Foursquare apps are great examples of how business can be extended by using social media like Facebook and LinkedIn. Through mobile apps, companies will reach out to millions of users by a one click and race miles ahead of competitors.

>> Looking for building a mobile application? : Connect with Sales

Apps can be used to widen the client base and client loyalty

Travel Companies can entice new customers by offering promotional discounts, first-time app use discount, seasonal discounts and cost-effective vacation packages. Loyalty programs offering discount for their next booking to privileged customers will ensure more visits and more revenue.

Apps are a direct channel to users round the globe

Mobile apps are a great way to stay connected with users before, during and after their travel. By analyzing user behaviour, interests, needs and expectations through their browsing history on the app, a travel company can better understand its customers. Company can offer customized holiday packages to each customer according to their budget and requirements. This will also help in planning future marketing campaigns to choose audience base. Another useful new feature employed by most travel apps is feedback and suggestions section by which company can avoid negative publicity and develop an intimate relationship with its customers. TripAdvisor app is built on these principles. It has become a trusted source of information for prospective travelers.

Apps reduce paperwork and streamlines transactions

With mobile apps you will go paperless. Soft copies of travel promotion brochures, invoices and receipts, tickets and hotel booking papers and even passports control mounting paperwork. It also reduces labor and resource cost. This is good not only for the business but also for customers as they have peace of mind knowing all his papers are safely housed in his phone or tablet, for access 24/7.

Apps are convenient and portable

Mobile travel apps can be connected to geolocation-enabled services like Google Maps and GPS to provide maps, directions and even last-minute route diversions to unfamiliar locations. Now there is no need to carry voluminous guidebooks and maps with them. The newest invention for facilitating easy navigation is wearable apps like travel belt. The belt connects to your Smartphone via Wifi or Bluetooth and helps you to locate tourist attractions. Besides location, some mobile apps provide real-time view of the destination you are browsing and accommodation available there. Airbnb, one of the world’s largest accommodation booking websites allows people to send feedback about rentals and homestays anywhere on the globe through text, videos and pictures.

Travel apps are a must-have in this era where smart work not hard work ensures success. You don’t want to be left behind in this race, do you? Contact us