Usage of Smartphone Applications in Tourism

Master's Thesis , 2011 , 70 Pages , Grade: 9,7 (of 10) - distinction

Tourism - Miscellaneous

In recent years, smartphone applications have appeared as a new tool helping travellers create experiences. Taking into consideration the potential impact of the smartphones and mobile applications, it is important to analyse the usage of smartphone applications in tourism.

This dissertation analyses the already existing mobile applications on the tourism market, clarifies which type of consumers uses these applications during their travel process and predicts some future trends for these new mobile services.
There are several different user groups who use smartphones in a variety of different ways, from business users to media junkies. The literature review shows that the main customers are young men, who use these applications especially to plan their travel during the information phase. But smartphone applications can not only support tourists’ information processing
activities such as connection and navigation in the tourism consumption stage, but also the activities in the pre-consumption and post-consumption stages.
A survey in Madrid (Spain) and Nuremberg (Germany) was conducted for this dissertation showing the main differences and similarities in using smartphone applications for tourism activities. The usage of smartphones in Germany is still more frequent than in Spain and the
main used device is the iPhone from Apple. Furthermore, German as well as Spanish travellers focus their usage mainly on the information stage than on the booking process, as the majority of mobile applications are purely informative such as maps or tourist travel guides. The usage is also still challenged by expensive roaming charges and poor Internet connectivity.

For a successful usage tourism companies should therefore focus on aspects like secure and efficient mobile services who give tourists feel like accompanied with a reliable and personal
travel guide during their whole trip. Only by improving these aspects, smartphone applications will have a successful growth on the tourism market.

Keywords: tourism, smartphone, mobile applications

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Dissertation Declaration
• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
• CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
  • 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Project Background
  • 1.2 Aims and Objectives
  • 1.3 Research Approach
  • 1.4 Rationale of the Study
  • 1.5 Dissertation Structure
• CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW
  • 2. Literature Review
  • 2.1 Travel and Tourism Industry
    • 2.1.1 Definition of Travel and Tourism
    • 2.1.2 The Component Sectors of the Tourism Industry
  • 2.2 The Tourism Industry and Mobile Applications
    • 2.2.1 Definition of Smartphones
    • 2.2.2 Definition of Applications for Smartphones
    • 2.2.3 Existing Tourism Applications for Smartphones
  • 2.3 Consumer Profile Related to Smartphones
    • 2.3.1 Consumer Behaviour and the Usage of Tourism Applications

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation aims to analyze the usage of smartphone applications in the tourism industry by examining existing mobile applications, identifying the consumer groups utilizing them, and forecasting future trends in this sector.

• The impact of smartphones and mobile applications on the travel experience
• The different user groups and their motivations for using smartphone applications in tourism
• The role of smartphone applications in different stages of the travel process (pre-consumption, consumption, and post-consumption)
• Future trends and opportunities for smartphone applications in the tourism industry
• The challenges and opportunities of utilizing smartphone applications for tourism businesses

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduces the dissertation by outlining the project background, aims and objectives, research approach, rationale, and structure.
• Chapter 2: Provides a comprehensive literature review on the travel and tourism industry, smartphone applications, and their integration into the tourism sector. This chapter also explores the consumer profile related to smartphone usage and their behavior within the context of tourism applications.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The dissertation focuses on the intersection of tourism and mobile technology. Key topics include smartphone applications, consumer behavior, travel experiences, and the challenges and opportunities of integrating these technologies into the travel and tourism industry. The work also highlights the role of these applications in various stages of the travel process.

• College: Bournemouth University (School of Tourism)
• Course: European Tourism Management
• Grade: 9,7 (of 10) - distinction
• Author: Dilara Torun (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 70
• Catalog Number: V179766
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656022336
• ISBN (Book): 9783656022497
• Language: English
• Tags: tourism, mobile applications, smart phone