Travel-related companies have recognized the market potential of mobile apps, and travelers are taking advantage of these booking options.
Any savvy traveler knows that booking a flight or hotel is much like shopping at a street market. Vendors are going to have the same product – maybe slight alterations and an added compliment or two – but at the end of the day, you are leaving with that same souvenir sweatshirt, whether you paid $35 for it or $10.
Or, rather, you are going to get your flight, whether you pay $300 for it or $150, and hopefully the deal includes your in-flight meal.
Finding the Best Deal
There are plenty of travel app options to explore deals.
Travelers have searched for that magic time to buy plane tickets, and booking hotels is a whole different game. Throw in the dynamics of international travel, and consumers can easily become exhausted while searching for that best deal.
In recent years, though, many companies have gifted travelers with an added outlet to scour for potential savings: mobile apps.
Travel Booking Gone Mobile
Researchers at Criteo released a 2014 flash report, and the report further confirmed the direction that mobile bookings have been trending:
- Mobile bookings are growing faster than desktop.
- Apps have potential to reach new customers.
- Mobile advertising can increase conversion opportunities.
This means that any travel-related company must optimize for mobile if it plans on remaining relevant in today’s travel market.
How to Win
Some companies do better at mobile apps than others. Success can come from effective advertising, but any app has to have substantial pizazz to soar above the rest.
Travel and Transport illustrates key features that apps should have to appeal to business travelers.
PC Mag picked some of its favorite travel apps. As did Telegraph. As did CNN.
Common themes include:
- This is the base of any travel booking app. The app has to deliver on finding the best deals, or, even better, offer deals that are exclusive to the mobile app.
- The app needs to allow users to select options that are specific to their needs. Without an effective sorting system, users can feel that the app is incapable of delivering the exact service that the user is looking for.
- The best apps offer something that the rest don’t. Take Skyscanner, which allows its users to find a flight to any “any country, any airport.” This appeals to the wanderlust of any traveler.
What it comes down to is offering everything that the competitors do, and then some.
Happy Travels
What are some of your favorite travel apps and why? What are some of your favorite features, and what features do you wish were available?
Share in the comments below.
Screenshot credit: Aleksander Irvin | Infographic credit: Travel and Transport
Aleksander Irvin 