travel
Malaysia ranks 5th in world’s most connected travellers
A new survey shows that mapping features are the most popular travel-related services used by connected travellers. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, July 1, 2015.It seems that Chinese and Thai consumers are the most tech-savvy travellers in the world after a survey found that 65% of respondents from both countries use their mobile device to book or plan part of their holidays.
For comparison, that figure falls to less than half (48%) among Americans.
Those are among some of the conclusions from a TripAdvisor survey that polled 44,000 travellers around the world on their mobile travel habits.
In fact, survey results showed that emerging markets have a large number of connected travellers, with nearly half of Asians falling into this category.
Countries like Thailand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia for instance cracked the top 10 list, outranking the US and Australia.
Globally, about one in four (42%) of travellers used their smartphone to plan or book their holidays.
The most popular way to use mobile devices while on holiday? Using geo-locating mapping services to help lost and bewildered tourists find their way. Or look for the nearest restaurant, and things to do.
Likewise, connected travellers will use their smartphone to read reviews, look for hotels, and make a restaurant reservation.
The results of the survey are in line with the growing emphasis on mobile devices within the travel industry.
Hotels, for instance, are launching mobile apps that allow guests to text their requests directly to the front desk, and are transforming smartphones into key cards for hotel rooms.
For air travel, the mobile device can be used for everything from digital boarding pass, passport scanner and in-flight wallet.
Here are the world’s most connected travellers
1. Thailand 65%
2. China 65%
3. Brazil 59%
4. Indonesia 59%
5. Malaysia 53%
6. Spain 52%
7. Italy 49%
8. US 48%
9. India 47%
10. Australia 47%. – AFP/Relaxnews, July 1, 2015.
Please note that you must sign up with disqus.com before commenting. And, please refrain from comments of a racist, sexist, personal, vulgar or derogatory nature and note that comments can be edited, rewritten for clarity or to avoid questionable issues. As comments are moderated, they may not appear immediately or even on the same day you posted them. We also reserve the right to delete off-topic comments