Hispanic Mobile Users More Likely to Use Smartphones for Travel
Savvy Hispanic mobile users are more likely to use their smartphones for travel inspiration, research and booking. Likewise, Hispanic millennials are likely to be spontaneous travellers who use their phones for last minute flight research, hotels bookings, and activities.
According to research, Hispanics were twice as likely to book hotels via a booking website or app, which proves that Hispanics demonstrate dominance within the mobile travel sphere, leading when it comes to mobile usage for the sake of travel inspiration, research, and booking.
HotelTonight conducted the survey, which found that more than half (51 percent) of Hispanics research flights, hotels and activities on their phones, compared to just 40 percent of non-Hispanics. Additionally, 68 percent of Hispanics consider themselves "very" or "somewhat spontaneous," and 66 percent of last-minute Hispanic travelers feel that spontaneous trips bring them more joy than trips planned in advance. This is particularly true about Hispanic millennials, who are more likely to identify as spontaneous.
About 1,000 U.S. smartphone owners, ages 21â54, were surveyed as they booked travel online. The findings propose a significant opportunity for the travel and lodging industries, which could do more to cater to the Latino population. More than half (52 percent) of Hispanics turn to their smartphones rather than their laptops for travel inspiration, compared to just 40 percent of nonâHispanic respondents.
"The data supports what we already knew: the mobile revolution is changing the way we travel, with Hispanics leading this trend," said Sam Shank, CEO and coâfounder of HotelTonight, according to press release. "We believe that this trend will continue to grow at a rapid pace as more people embrace spontaneity and leverage the power of their smartphone. Regardless of whether it's an impulse stay or a planned trip, apps like HotelTonight provide a great way for scoring a deal for the discerning spontaneous traveler."
Hispanics tend to travel more frequently than non-Hispanic travelers, and they're more likely to book a hotel using smartphones when compared with non-Hispanic frequent travelers (65 percent vs. 57 percent). Also, 80 percent of Hispanic last-minute travelers book hotels using their smartphone.
The survey also shared that 70 percent of Hispanics book hotel rooms within a week of arrival, and 19 percent booked on the same day. Additionally, more than half of Hispanics (57 percent) favor spending money on travel vs. purchasing items. Hispanic millennials also are more likely to spend a night in a nearby city once a week or more, compared to other millennials. Furthermore, Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to book "staycations" within 24 hours of their trip (44 percent compared to 33 percent).