SMARTPHONES = SMARTTRAVELLERS

Recent research has shown that smartphones really are a traveller’s best friend and, thanks to recent advancements in technology, organisations are also befriending them more than ever.

Last week, a survey from TripIt, the leading mobile travel organiser from Concur, has shown that travellers find it much easier, and are more comfortable, staying in touch with their partners back home thanks to the variety of technology that’s accessible through their smartphones.

Just 17% of TripIt respondents said they still found it difficult to stay in touch with home when travelling on business. And just 8% continue to find it stressful to say goodbye to their partners. Instead they are finding comfort in their smartphones, which allow them to stay in constant contact whether through regular phone calls, video calls, email, text messages and social networking.

88% of travellers make phone calls to stay in touch with back home, 47% use video calls, 85% texts and 72% email. Despite having the same access to technology, those staying put don’t seem to have embraced technology in quite the same way with 95% sticking to phone calls and just 37% using video calls, 78% texts and 45% email.

I think what’s important about these figures, which, to some degree, seem to state the obvious, is that connected travellers are no doubt happier, less-stressed travellers, which means their productivity and wellbeing will be leaps and bounds ahead of those travellers who are home sick and suffering because of it and companies will save money as a result.

Mobile technology is not only proving its worth for staying in touch at home, but also when travellers are away. Social media tools, in particular, enable travellers to stay in touch with their community of trusted contacts and also enable them to hook up with fellow travellers. These can be wide or niche communities, for example, MaidenVoyage.com for women travelling alone.

The next smartphone technology to make a huge impact on travellers’ lives is undoubtedly NFC (near field communication):  contactless payments. This is increasingly available and soon it won’t feel strange to make payments through a mobile phone with a chip in it instead of using a credit card. It will, for example, automatically do travel expenses, open hotel room doors and start cars.

And for organisations, smartphone technology is also proving to be worth its weight in gold. NFC, for example, has the potential to save money – lots of money – by encouraging traveller compliance. For example, suggesting you take the underground from the hotel instead of a cab (together with the route), or instead of taking a taxi to a favourite bistro, travellers will be directed towards restaurants in the hotel’s vicinity that are within budget.

The smartphone is already a must-have travelling gadget, over the next 12 months it will become the traveller’s companion. The technology to make that happen already exists – it is just a matter of time before it becomes standard.

David Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show and is already planning his trip to the GBTA Conference in the UK this August using TripIt and will be glued to his smartphone before, during and after his travels.

GUEST BLOG: THE MUST HAVE TRAVELLER APP

Smart phones are an essential tool for business travellers, largely owing to the fact that information can be accessed instantly and easily. With the vast majority of corporate travellers now organising themselves with hand-held devices, leading corporate travel and events business, the ATPI Group, has recently introducing an expanded and upgraded version of its popular On the Go app. 

Version 2.0 of the app has been developed in response to demand from users to meet the increasingly specific needs of business travellers. The interface has been made as straightforward as possible, following feedback from users who expressed a desire to have information presented in a clean and simple way and to avoid any flashy gimmicks.

Since its initial global launch this time last year, usage of the app has continued to grow and the new upgraded version is already proving to be a popular tool for busy corporate travellers. Entering its second phase, the enhanced app now includes flight booking functionality for both scheduled and low cost carriers and an improved mobile itinerary, where ticket numbers are recorded in all flight bookings. The performance and speed of the app has also been optimised, and security features have been upgraded. Also, included in the app’s features is an itinerary display application which gives users access to all flight bookings in their name, while a flight status report allows users to track progress of any flight number – either arrival or departure.

Smartphone users can add a photo of travel documents such as passports or cards to the app safe in the knowledge that this data is stored on the phone with an extra security layer providing protection in case the phone is lost or stolen.

Since the launch of its first generation On the Go app, the ATPI Group has maintained an open dialogue with users to ensure it can respond to their feedback and take actions based on their ever changing requirements. As a result, the business has been consistently able to make strategic improvements to the app to ensure clients can get to their place of work quickly and efficiently.

Available free via iPhone, Android and Blackberry worldwide from the respective app stores - iTunes, Google Play, and Blackberry App World, the app can also be downloaded by any smartphone user.

Additional features of the 'On the Go' app include a currency converter, world clock and details of all the ATPI Group office locations and telephone numbers worldwide. A separate destination guide section offers handy tips on where to go and what to see in cities around the globe.

For more information and to test out the On the Go app, visit the ATPI Group at the Business Travel Show at Earls Court on 5th & 6th February 2013. Register now at www.businesstravelshow.com