More than 23 million Europeans will use their mobile phones to buy travel products and services by 2005, according…
More than 23 million Europeans will use their mobile phones to buy travel products and services by 2005, according to a new study by IDC. Travel is the leading ecommerce product category on the fixed Internet in Europe, with purchasing of online leisure and business travel services becoming easier and more cost-effective than traditional channels. IDC believes this trend will be mirrored on the mobile Internet, despite the adverse effects of September 11 on the European travel industry.
In the travel sector, value is increasingly shifting towards the non-intermediated way of purchasing travel services, said Claudia Lonardi, Senior Research Analyst at IDC. It then makes perfect sense for travelers to benefit from mobile services at every stage of their travel experience, from journey planning through traveling to reaching their destination.
According to the study, 49 million users will also buy public transport tickets with their mobile phones by 2005. IDC believes this will have a positive knock-on effect on other mobile commerce segments such as bill payment, tickets for entertainment, parking meters and vending machines. Much of the growth will take place between 2003 and 2005, as the technology becomes available and as it is complemented by specific applications and related services such as mobile billing and payment.
Travel companies will have to address the issue of emerging technologies in a proactive way, said Lonardi. A timely approach will guarantee they have a competitive advantage when the provision of advanced travel services becomes widely available in the market.
IDC’s new study, Mobile in Travel: Prospects for Western Europe, reviews the mobile travel sector in Europe and offers advice on implementing mobile travel solutions, with the emphasis on solutions using wireless GSM and GPRS technology. The study sizes the potential market for European mobile services to 2005 against a backdrop of key drivers of mobile travel products and services and provides pointers for organizations planning, implementing and executing mobile travel initiatives.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
