Nine out of 10 travelers around the world can’t leave home without a gadget

SINGAPORE –  According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study 2013, phones are the top choice as a holiday companion (80 percent), followed by cameras (70 percent), computers (54 percent), and entertainment devices (32 percent).
Gadgets are used to find essential information and easily share their travel experiences with friends and family which is why 65 percent of global travelers take a smartphone with them.  Asian tourists are also particularly tech-savvy with 73 percent choosing to check-in online while abroad. This emerging trend is not just limited to the trip itself – 71 percent of travelers share their holiday experiences online after returning from their trips. Asian travelers are even keener to share their experiences with 77 percent of tourists updating the web with their adventures.
Internet capability also rates highly when deciding which gadgets to bring on holiday, coming in as the top consideration for affluent travelers (45 percent) ahead of gadget size and weight – possibly due to the 25 percent who require access to internet banking while away. First-time travelers, however, listed size as being the most important factor (41 percent).
Online sources such as travel review, service provider and official tourism websites are used by 71 percent of global travelers for trip planning, 65 percent for bookings of independent travel and 57 percent for information while traveling. Travelers from Asia Pacific are the most tech-savvy, with these numbers increasing to 80 percent, 76 percent and 73 percent respectively.
“Technology has impacted every aspect of our lives, and the way that we plan and enjoy holidays is no different. While traditional word of mouth reviews from friends, relatives and guidebooks are still used – especially among travelers from Africa & the Middle East – online resources that offer reviews from frequent travelers as well as a host of other information such as currency converters, pictures, booking and discount facilities are becoming the first source of information for most global travelers. In a positive sign for providers who are offering both information and booking solutions online, global travelers are saying that online booking processes are fast and getting easier. Visa understands this and provides a number of ecommerce solutions to make online payments secure and convenient for both merchants and customers,” said Ross Jackson, Head of Cross-Border, Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East & Africa, at Visa Worldwide..

Sourced: TravelDailyNews