Aussie travellers prefer to be mobile
Aussies are no longer content to spend their time tied to a computer or even visiting a travel agent to plan all of their travel needs – 70 per cent now use mobile devices according to national research conducted by the world’s leading hotel price comparison website, HotelsCombined.
Even at home, three out of five spurn the computer for a mobile device to plan accommodation, flights and tours.
Other mobile device users accessed travel sites during their work commute (7 per cent), at work, school or university (8 per cent), and at cafes (3 per cent).
Of those who use their mobile device, 36per cent use it for research, 26per cent for planning and 25per cent for booking.
HotelsCombined global PR and content manager, Kristen McKenzie said, “As the quick uptake of smartphones and tablets in Australia shows no sign of slowing, people are increasingly confident planning, booking and sharing travel experiences using mobile devices. Travel apps are faster and more intuitive than ever before, and comparison sites can provide access to great savings, making the process of planning travel more enjoyable and rewarding. After all, planning your dream holiday should be fun and hassle free!”
For those who don’t use a mobile device for booking travel, 16 per cent claim that mobile sites and apps aren’t as functional or informative as the web, and 6 per cent are concerned about safety, and 13 per cent of respondents say they haven’t ever considered it.
The majority of people claimed to plan their travel a few months (36 per cent) or a few weeks (30 per cent) before their trip, while 7 per cent said they plan a few days before.
Besides using a mobile device, 81 per cent of Aussies prefer to book accommodation through hotel booking websites, while 12 per cent book directly with the hotel, and 7 per cent book with a travel agent.
