New 2014 travel and technology trend research from TripIt reveals travelers plan to purchase more flight-friendly mobile devices than laptops to stay connected this year.
SAN FRANCISCO – TripIt, the all-in-one travel organizer from Concur, now makes it easier for travelers to share specific trip details and flight status alerts on the go, with family, friends and colleagues. TripIt’s update coincides with the first in its new series of 2014 travel and technology trends research, which shows an increased appetite for mobile devices on the road. More travelers plan to buy smartphones and tablets than laptops in 2014, which correlates with the FAA’s ruling allowing gate-to-gate use of mobile devices.
To easily communicate travel plans and stay connected on the go, TripIt users can select an individual trip item – such as a flight, hotel, restaurant reservation, meeting or other activity – and share it via email or text message from their mobile device. Messages are pre-populated with vital travel details, and users can add personal notes.
“Nobody wants to be stranded on an airport curb at the end of a long trip,” said Dan Hoffer, Head of Product. “Now, you can easily text your arrival time, so your ride is waiting when you land. Our customers have been asking for more flexible and powerful ways to share information and stay connected, and we’re excited to deliver these features in time to make 2014 travel less stressful, more organized, and easier than before for our millions of users.”
Additionally, TripIt Pro users can now share their flight status alerts with others to keep them instantly informed about delays, cancellations or on-time arrivals. Now, travelers can easily notify a colleague and adjust plans if they are going to be late for a meeting.
Travelers Plan to Purchase Flight-Friendly Gadgets in 2014
According to new research from TripIt, increased mobility – like that provided by TripIt’s sharing update – is a top priority for travelers in 2014. More travelers expect to buy tablets than laptops this year, which signals a shift, as predicted, towards even greater ability and flexibility on-the-go.
TripIt’s 2014 travel and technology trend research was conducted among travelers in the weeks following the FAA’s gate-to-gate gadget ruling, which expanded the use of personal electronics like smartphones and tablets during the duration of flights (in airplane mode), but excluded laptops.
Smartphones are expected to retain their place as travelers’ top technology tool, with 65% of travelers expecting to invest in a new smartphone this year. Following close behind, more than half (58%) of travelers surveyed plan to buy new tablets in 2014. Less than half (48%) plan to purchase new laptops.
Smartwatches are also poised for growth among travelers, with 18 percent planning to purchase one in 2014. The hands-free nature of these devices may explain why travelers could outpace other demographics in adopting this new mobile technology[2]. For example, TripIt’s app for the Samsung Galaxy Gear – launched in September 2013 at IFA – makes it easier for travelers to access flight, hotel, and other trip plans, while leaving their hands free to carry luggage or belongings.
In summary, here are the percentages of travelers who anticipate buying the following technologies new in 2014:
- 65% smartphone
- 58% tablet
- 48% laptop
- 18% smartwatch
- 10% electronic bag trackers.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
