More data illustrating the effect of the smartphone and the always-connected status of the modern business traveller, this time by way of a study by Sabre Travel Network.
It is two years since the study was last produced (interviews with 800 business travellers around the world, some so-called road warriors, others taking between four and seven trips a year, some with fewer journeys), and the results indicate how the mobile is starting to have a dramatic impact.
Highlights:
- 63% want to receive destination-specific offers from local businesses (up 85% in two years).
- 47% use smartphones daily to view or receive ads (a jump of 95% since 2009).
- 72% want to see hotels on a map (up 26%).
- 43% use a handset to access navigation tools.
- 71% want to receive driving directions back a particular location.
SVP of Sabre Travel Network, Chris Kroeger, says:
"Consumers already rely on their mobile devices to help them navigate their way through cities around the world.
"In the future, they’ll look for mobile services that are not only location-based but contextually-aware such as airport navigational tools with the ability to find in-airport businesses but also have deals and offers pushed to their smartphone."
Other findings from the survey include:
- Two-thirds of travellers want to search and book hotel reservations.
- Another 66% would like to add hotel bookings to existing itineraries.
- 62% would like book car hire from a handset (up 32% from 2009).