November 2, 2018

In the last few years mobile devices have become a valuable tool for the modern day traveler. With the ever-growing availability of apps designed to make life easier, it is no wonder. Today you use your mobile device to give you directions to the airport, allow you to check in on the go, provide entertainment for those times you are waiting, plan out and manage your itineraries, find a place to eat on the go, find a guest experience, vacation rentals, and much more.

An overwhelming amount of adults in today’s world will be seen carrying some sort of mobile device. Due to this, travel companies are finding this shift in the way their consumers use these devices has created higher expectations. In this competitive environment, having a mobile presence is not enough. Almost every company has some form of app or internet presence now. For a company to stand out, they need to find a way to allow for a more integrated experience that reflects the evolution of these demands.

This is no shock to travel companies, in fact many companies have found that more than 20 percent of traffic is going to be coming from their mobile platforms and many will find that a mobile presence is going to be vital in their marketing strategies. And this is only the beginning, as the demand for a mobile presence that is more seamless and integrated is growing.

Building a Better Mobile Experience

So the demand for more mobile integration is in high demand, but how do companies become more forward thinking in the travel industry? For one, apps should utilize the mobile location data to not only help customers find places of interest in the surrounding area, but also give access to a database of reviews from past customers. Another good example of a mobile app feature that can help is one that gathers personalized information to help tailor the experience to the user’s preferences.

When it comes to mobile apps, they need to be able to give the customer the ability to do a lot of the work right from their mobile, while keeping it simple. If an app is too complicated a lot of customers will give up and have to book over phone, or give up all together and find another company that can provide a better mobile experience.

The Future of Mobile Devices in the Travel Industry

Utilizing mobile devices is quickly becoming a requirement and not a choice. In order for a company to stay in business they need to stay up to date with the trends. These apps need to be able to run quickly, while keeping it simple enough that a customer can get all the answers they need and provide a better customer service. With the growth of technology, companies are integrating AI into this experience with Chabot’s and messaging apps. Voice technology is an important feature that is growing in popularity, as some apps allow you to work hands free on your device with simple commands. With all these changes mobile experience analytics will be something that is wise to invest in, for the coming years.

One type of lucrative travel business popping in the mobile world is the vacation rental industry. These types of businesses are finding that a lot of their business can be done right from a mobile device. Everything from locating a vacation rental and booking can be done on their device. In today’s world you can book a rental vacation house with your finger in a matter of seconds. Who knows what tomorrow holds.