Mobile booking apps turn to Apple Watch
Hotel booking mobile apps are turning to the Apple Watch ahead of its Australian release date April 24.
HotelQuickly is the first app startup to take the plunge. Its last-minute hotel booking app is already available for Apple Watch download, according to a statement the firm has released.
Co-Founder and CTO Michal Juhas said: “40 per cent of HotelQuickly customers use iPhones for their last-minute bookings. By launching the HotelQuickly app for Apple Watch, we are continuing to innovate the mobile travel segment in Asia Pacific and are taking the hotel booking experience to the next level.”
Hotel Tonight is another last-minute bookings mobile app that has crossed over the Apple Watch. booking.com also came out with an Apple Watch app that allows guests to book through the watch rather than review information then have to move to a different device to book. TripAdvisor has also launched a Watch-compatible app, but consumers will not be able to book through it directly.
As the Apple Watch and its future competitors move into the marketplace and mobile apps continue to lodge themselves in the lives of guests, the question is how accommodation providers will best meet the demand.
OTAs are not very popular with accommodation providers as they have dominated the online booking market. Will these new apps designed for use on this latest device allow OTAs to further capitalise on the market or will there be a resurgence in direct bookings through the Apple Watch?
accomnews will be asking lot of people these questions over the next few weeks so keep checking back for more details and don’t forget to let us know what you think.
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