Survey: Travelers Find Smartphones Extremely Useful

Travelers rely heavily on their mobile devices as useful companions on their trips. According to a new TripAdvisor survey on mobile device use conducted on over 1,000 US travelers, 38% have used their smartphones to plan a trip and another 60% have downloaded travel apps to help with their planning and enhance their traveling experience.

While making phone calls to friends and family is still the main reason to take their mobile devices on their trips, other up and coming reasons are winning ground – communicating online through chat or email or other tasks they perform during trips. Other than calling and texting, travelers also take and share photos, surf online, use their smartphones as navigation systems to get to their destinations, read the news or play games.

US travelers also rely heavily on their phones for travel planning. 52% use their smartphones to research restaurants, 46% read about the destinations they are headed to, 45% check out travel reviews to help them with their choices, 42% research and book their hotels and another 34% research or book flights.

“Smartphone adoption around the world is skyrocketing, and is fundamentally changing the way people get travel advice,” said Mike Putnam, director of mobile product for TripAdvisor. “Whether it is finding the perfect museum or restaurant, booking a hotel or a flight, or sharing advice, it is clear that travelers around the world now rely on their smartphones and other mobile devices to plan and have better trips.”

While traveling, the role of the smartphone as a tool to find out more about restaurants in the area increases – moving up to 62% of travelers. Other popular activities are checking flight status or researching tourist attractions.

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By Amey Myers

Amey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.