Expedia.com®, one of the world’s largest full service online travel sites1, released results of a recent survey examining the mobile-device behaviors and habits of global and domestic UAE travelers. The Expedia Mobile Index, conducted in partnership with Northstar Interactive, found travelers the world over are more and more dependent on their mobile devices – defined as a smartphone, tablet, e-reader, laptop or wearable device.
Key findings include:
•In UAE, 99% of employed adults own and use at least one mobile device (tied with Hong Kong and Singapore)
•86% consider their smartphones and laptops critical to their daily lives (second only to India)
•Nearly a third (28%) keep a power cord on them at all times (almost double the global average of 16%).
•40% of UAE residents report that they have booked travel with a smartphone, well above the global average of 25%.
•The study also revealed that UAE residents have a hard time disconnecting from work when traveling for leisure – 67% report bringing their work-paid devices with them on vacation, also above the global average (63%).
“As more people gravitate towards multiple mobile device use, we wanted to examine how travelers are using technology throughout their journeys so we can continue to deliver an unparalleled mobile experience to our customers,” said Expedia Director of E-Commerce Eman Barhoumeh. “Results from UAE were particularly interesting. We found that residents are using their mobile devices throughout the travel process – for booking and while taking trips – above the global average in most categories.”
Mobile booking more popular for leisure trips
Nearly half (40%) of UAE respondents report using their smartphones to book travel, compared to the global average of 25%. UAE travelers are much more likely to use their smartphones for travel related tasks when traveling for leisure than when traveling for business.
Forty eight percent of leisure travelers have researched a destination (compared to 25% for business trips) using a smartphone, 36% have shopped for a flight (compared to 20% for business trips) and 34% booked a hotel (compared to 18% for business trips).
UAE also consumers tend to use their tablets much more frequently when traveling for leisure – for example, 39% report booking flights on their tablets for leisure vs. business (17%).
The new rules of mobile etiquette while traveling
Eighty three percent of UAE consumers share that they will not leave home for a leisure trip without their smartphone and more than two thirds (67%) report that they bring their work-paid devices with them on vacation.
The top uses for mobile devices when traveling include:
•Email/messaging (65%)
•Camera/video recording (61%)
•Social media (57%, more than 10% over the global average of 45%).
When traveling for business, UAE travelers feel the number one most essential function for a travel app is automatic itinerary updates (62%) and maps and directions (60%).
While 53% of UAE residents are offended by those making phone calls on speakerphone in public and 40% are offended by those playing music, videos or games without headphones, 48% say they will text and email during seated performances.
Connectivity informing travel decisions
The study also shed light on how connectivity options affected the purchase behaviors of UAE travelers. Sixty percent reported that WiFi availability and pricing affect their decision when selecting a flight and hotel. When asked to rank mobile-related hotel amenities, global leisure travelers ranked “complimentary WiFi” first, ahead of high-speed internet access, wired in-room connectivity and the availability of a business center.