Dubai: Forget the shades and sandals, UAE holidaymakers’ must-have item when they travel is their smartphone, according to a report by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) released on Tuesday.
The hotel group’s IHG Rewards Club surveyed more than 10,000 travellers in 13 countries, and found that 48 per cent of UAE travellers agree that their smartphone is the most important item to take on holiday, compared to the global average of 38 per cent.
“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,” stated Susanna Freer-Epstein, senior vice president of customer loyalty marketing at IHG.
Almost half (47 per cent) of travellers said that they use social media on their smartphone everyday while on vacation, while a third check Facebook each night.
Meanwhile, 79 per cent use their smartphones to check work emails, compared to the global average of 68 per cent; 36 per cent share pictures of their meals on holiday, and a third take ‘selfies’.
Globally, though, 67 per cent of travellers use their smartphone each day while on holiday, and 1 in 10 travellers spend 70 hours online. Similarly, UAE 1 in ten UAE travellers spend 4-6 hours online a day, which matches up with the average globally, said Karin Sheppard, IHG’s chief commercial officer for Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Of those surveyed, 64 per cent said they use smartphones to send text messages; 32 per cent use them for Skype, and 42 per cent check social media every day while on holiday, with 25 per cent of them check Facebook before going to sleep.
