With all of us leading busier lifestyles than ever before, and able to stay connected on the go thanks to smartphones and tablets, the way we search for and book our holidays has changed. Many people browse travel information on the go – on the train on their way to work, on their lunch break at the park and even on the sofa whilst watching TV, using a smartphone or tablet to connect to the internet. This 'second screen' browsing hasn't just affected the way we shop and connect with friends and family, it has also had a huge impact on the travel industry, as mobile travel bookings continue to rocket.
Designed for your mobile
With tour operators and travel companies recognising the importance of having a site that's optimised for mobile viewing, many major operators have invested heavily in ensuring their website can be accessed from a mobile device, and that booking using a tablet or smartphone is easy. Research shows that many people prefer to book on the go, organising their family holiday with just a few clicks or taps, rather than finding the time to sit down at a desktop or laptop computer. Mobile browsing also allows for easier sharing using email and social networks – information on hotels and flights can be shared with friends or your partner almost instantly, allowing quick decisions to be made on low-cost holiday deals.
Is this the end for traditional travel?
But does this mean that the travel industry will soon be overrun by mobile bookings? What about those who prefer to sit down at a PC to browse destinations? Looking at websites which offer information and pictures of destinations, such as Lonely Planet, is often easier using a large screen. Browsing on a PC can offer more security when it comes to making online payments too, and whilst many people use their mobile device to research holidays, not everyone is comfortable paying large sums of money using a debit or credit card on a device which could offer less security. As mobile travel bookings continue to increase in number throughout 2014, it looks likely that tour operators and airlines will continue to invest heavily in optimising their websites for mobile viewing and booking, but traditional websites designed to be viewed on a larger PC screen will remain, enabling those booking their holidays a choice when it comes to the time for payment.
