Ready for a smartphone holiday?

Recent research by InterContinental Hotels Group has revealed that 40% of travellers believe that their smartphone is the most important item to take on their holiday.

Forget the sun cream, magazines and guide books, new research released by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) reveals that of more than 10 000 travellers across 13 countries, the must-have item for a summer holiday is a smartphone.

According to the research by IHG Rewards Club, nearly 40% of travellers agree that their smartphone is the most important item to take on holiday – and 67% agree that they will use it every single day. As a result, 1 in 10 travellers clock an impressive average of 70 hours online while on holiday – almost 20% of the actual time spent on a two week holiday.

IHG Rewards Club members are IHG’s most valued guests. In line with its aim of rewarding them for their loyalty, it surveyed more than 10,000 of its members worldwide in order to gain further insight into their relationships with their loyalty programme and to learn more about their travel needs.

The survey found that the smartphone is fast replacing the traditional postcard with 64% of respondents saying they use it to text friends and another 32% to Skype friends and family back home, while on holiday. However, recounting holiday experiences with friends and family still remains one of the most enjoyable ways of sharing a holiday, with one in ten travellers saying this is as enjoyable as the holiday itself.

Planning a holiday is, nearly, half the fun – (45%) of all travellers say it is the best part of a holiday and more than a third (37%) spend over a day researching a holiday.

Susanna Freer-Epstein, Senior Vice President Customer Loyalty Marketing, IHG said:

“IHG is a brand and consumer driven company. We use insight to anticipate consumer trends and behaviour. This research shows how mobile technology is revolutionising the holiday experience – from enabling travellers to dream about and plan their holidays, to helping enjoy the trip itself and share their experiences with their friends and family.

The survey also uncovered that 42% of travellers check social media every day while on holiday, with 25% of them even saying they always check Facebook before going to sleep. Taking selfies is also increasingly becoming one of the most popular ways to share holiday experiences, with 25% of travellers surveyed saying they use their smartphones for holiday selfies.

As part of the global survey, IHG Rewards Club has launched a digital hub at http://www.ihg.com/rewardingexperiences. It showcases the experiences available to over 80 million members worldwide – from a cultural experience at some of the world’s most famous museums, to a special family celebration or a once in-a-lifetime relaxing spa experience. It includes reviews from members and global travellers from all around the world.

Additionally, as of July 1st 2014, members will also earn more IHG Rewards Club points when they stay at any of the 178 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts worldwide. For every $1USD spent on qualifying revenue during stays, such as food and beverage, these members will now earn ten IHG Rewards Club points.

There are nine IHG hotels in South Africa, located in the main business and tourism hubs of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, including two InterContinental hotels, one Crowe Plaza hotel, two Holiday Inn hotels and four Holiday Inn Express hotels.

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