According to a recent survey by Phocuswright, one third of U.S. leisure travelers used their smartphone to research where to go for an upcoming vacation in 2014. The growth in mobile travel shopping has been extremely impressive, up from 26% the prior year.
However, only 32% of U.S. leisure travelers, who used their smartphone to research, booked for travel products like flights and hotels by using their smartphones. The overwhelming majority still head to the PC (78%) when it comes time to book. Nevertheless, mobile booking is growing.
"The industry has been very focused on mobile booking for quite some time now. And while that growth is exciting to watch unfold, it's only just part of the story," says Phocuswright's senior analyst, consumer research, Marcello Gasdia. "More travelers are relying on mobile much earlier in the travel planning funnel – to look at pictures, watch videos and see what they can afford. They take small breaks throughout the day to get inspired about an upcoming vacation. The travel companies who approach mobile with this in mind will succeed better than the ones who view mobile as another way to book."
For more details of the Phocuswright’s Travel Technology Survey 2014, you can purchase it for US$995 byvisiting here.
