A study has found that 67 percent of iPad users are frequent travellers, 60 percent have booked travel with device, and 93 percent regularly engage with device while traveling.

Published: 30 Sep 2011

A study has found that 67 percent of iPad users are frequent travellers, 60 percent have booked travel with device, and 93 percent regularly engage with device while traveling.

According to Greystripe’s research, Smartphone and Tablet Travel Insights, recently conducted on the use of touch smartphones and iPads in travel, while nearly all touch smartphone and tablet users use their device while traveling, iPad users are more likely (60 percent) than iPhone and Android users (49 percent) to use their device to make a travel booking.

Greystripe surveyed 971 touch smartphone and tablet users in order to better understand how frequent travellers use their mobile devices for travel research and planning.

Key findings:

• Most iPad (67%) and touch smartphone (55%) users are frequent travellers.

• Mobile is a critical part of the travel shopping process for iPad and touch smartphone users who frequently travel.

• Nearly all touch smartphone and iPad users use their mobile device for travel-related activities, including research and planning travel.

• Nearly half of touch smartphone users and the majority of iPad users have booked travel using mobile apps and websites.

• Touch smartphone and iPad users who travel frequently differ slightly in usage of their mobile devices for travel research, planning and booking.

• iPad users are more likely to book travel using their mobile devices, likely due to the iPad’s larger canvas and enhanced navigation.

• Touch smartphone users are highly influenced by discounts, promotions or coupons when making travel decisions. iPad users are less price conscious and are less influenced by discounts, promotions or coupons.

Because iPads are so portable, many travellers with the device use it to make travel arrangements:

- 47 percent have used their iPad to book a hotel

- 37 percent have used their iPad to book a flight

- 28 percent have used their iPad to make a restaurant reservation

- 24 percent have used their iPad to rent a car

Greystripe found that both iPad and touch smartphone users are more likely to use the mobile web for their travel needs than apps:

- 69 percent of iPad users compared to 60 percent of super smartphone users have used the mobile web to book travel, get travel information or research local attractions, restaurants and activities.

- 50 percent of iPad and 52 percent of touch smartphone users have used apps to book travel, get travel information or research local attractions, restaurants and activities.