How Has Technology Changed The Way We Vacation?
Like most industries, the leisure and tourism business model has had to adapt and incorporate technological advancements into the way they operate. Thanks to the internet and increase in mobile communications, the way people research, book and actually holiday has transformed dramatically over the past five years.
Researching
Using multiple platforms, consumers have access to researching the travel company, the destination and the accommodation at their fingertips. Websites like Tripadvisor and smartphone features like GoogleNow provide an essential hub to holidaymakers who want to ensure that their hotel or destination of choice is what it’s described to be by the vendor’s brochures and websites. It also allows them to locate popular attractions nearby, find highly rated eateries, photo spots and attractions.
New technologies and websites have helped give more power to the consumer allowing them to easily ask questions and make educated decisions. This instant access to genuine reviews of past holidaymakers empowers consumers to make informed opinions, allowing them to get the best holiday possible.
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets also allow consumers to research on the go, whether it’s on the commute home from work, or in front of the television in the evenings people are able to book holidays with much more ease. In fact, many tourism websites will be accessed for the first time from a mobile device.
Booking
Gone are the days when users were limited to newspapers and travel agents, as well as being able to research, holiday makers are able to book their holidays from the comfort of their own home. As consumer confidence with the online world improves, more and more people are booking their holiday using mobile devices. Naomi Tarry, owner of Best Escapes, a holiday lettings company specialising in Norfolk cottages reports to seeing a significant increase in use of mobile devices in the past year.
Holidaying
The advent of social media and people moving more towards living their lives online has led to Facebook, Instagram and other social networking websites exploding with pictures from people’s holidays.
With a camera in every smartphone owner’s pocket and access to the internet at the press of a touchscreen, more and more people are sharing their leisure experiences online. This insistent posting of holiday snaps online not only encourages friends to do the same but has also helped to develop a new phenomenon named fear of missing out (FOMO). Consumers want to try new experiences to share online and will not want their friends, colleagues and family to be having more fun than they are. This has not only spurred on the boom in social media but also encourages people to holiday more and share their experiences when they do.
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