Travellers rely on gadgets – survey
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Travellers are becoming increasingly dependent on gadgets to help them explore the world and stay in touch with home, a new survey has found.
The latest edition of Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study found that the majority of people (80% of respondents) now rate the phone as their top technological travelling accessory, ahead of the camera (70%) and computer (54%).
The study also found that 65% of global travellers now take a smartphone with them, and that internet capability (45%) is the top consideration for travellers when deciding which gadget to take, ahead of size and weight.
Asian tourists were found to be especially reliant on technology, with 73% choosing to check-in online while abroad and 77% using the internet to provide updates and share photos while on holiday.
Online sources such as travel review and tourism websites are used by 71% of global travellers for trip planning, although this rises to 80% among travellers from Asia Pacific.
“Technology has impacted every aspect of our lives, and the way that we plan and enjoy holidays is no different,” said Ross Jackson, Visa’s head of cross-border for Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East & Africa.
“While traditional word-of-mouth reviews from friends, relatives and guidebooks are still used – especially among travellers from Africa & the Middle East – online resources that offer reviews from frequent travellers as well as a host of other information such as currency converters, pictures, booking and discount facilities are becoming the first source of information for most global travellers. In a positive sign for providers who are offering both information and booking solutions online, global travellers are saying that online booking processes are fast and getting easier,” he added.
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