Summer is just around the corner, which means those much needed vacation days are closer than ever. Eighty-five percent of Americans plan to travel this summer and 42% are planning to travel more this summer compared to last. Chalk it up to a post pandemic world or flight prices returning to normal levels – either way, travel is back and booming.
Mobile apps allow people to make the most of the sunny, summer months. From finding the latest deals to navigating new places, we’ve put together the ultimate summer travel app survival guide for both consumers and app marketers to make the most of this busy season.
Deal Chasers
There are many mobile apps available that can help consumers find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. These apps compare prices from different airlines and hotels, allowing users to find the most inexpensive option. On average, American adults intended to spend $8,369 on travel in 2022, but now plan to spend just $6,688 in 2023. This decrease in intended spending on travel means that consumers are being more conservative with their spending this year. This can be attributed to the ongoing narrative that we may be headed towards a recession. Apps that offer users unique and exciting discounts or rewards will find more success than the ones that are offering expensive and more basic fares.
Apps such as Hopper help users find the best possible deal when it comes to travel plans. Hopper compares airlines, hotels, homes, and car rental providers across the globe so users can book trips at the best price. Hopper sends engagement alerts to users to open up the app and book flights or hotels at the lowest fares. This gives users peace of mind they have secured the lowest fares when booking a getaway.
Other apps that help consumers find deals:
- Airfarewatchdog: Handpicked flight deals that are verified by experts.
- Skyscanner: Compares flights, hotels and cars in order to find the best deals.
- Travelzoo: Finds the best deals on vacations, hotels, restaurants, spas and more. Also offers vacation packages that are pre-planned out.
App Growth Tip: App marketers can re-engage their audience by offering limited time rewards on trips they’ve browsed. The idea of getting a discount on a luxurious or exciting vacation will draw their attention. Furthermore, including limited time messaging will encourage them to act fast.
Planning Made Easy
There are also mobile apps available that can help plan and organize trip itineraries. Planning and scheduling apps allow users to create an itinerary, set reminders, and keep track of reservations. Busy schedules, multiple moving parts and managing families can be a lot, especially when it comes to organizing travel plans.Using an app to store all the necessary information removes a tremendous amount of stress for users handling the trip plans.
Many travel apps, such as Wanderlog, have trip planning features that are incredibly flexible and allow users to research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting to email, and map out a day itinerary with start and end times. Users can also add notes and links so that they remember the details of their trip to look back on.
Other apps that help with trip planning:
- Scratch: Skratch lets you plan, track and share your travel life with personalized maps.
- Triplt: TripIt gives users a single view of all their trips, to help keep them all organized – even if they’re planning one while still on another.
- PackingPro: Create lists for day trips, weekend get-a-ways, real vacations, holiday family reunions, road & RV trips, camping, skiing, cruising, international travel, and more!
App Growth Tip: Make the user interface for your planning extremely seamless and intuitive! The last thing users want is to be confused when navigating a travel app for organization, especially when they are in a new place. Let users know that they can connect their own personal calendar and email to the app so that they know it’s an all-in-one planning experience.
Breaking Down Language Barriers
When traveling to another country where there is a different language spoken than your own can be a barrier for communicating to the local people. Mobile apps such as Google Translate can assist with communication difficulties for travelers. Having offline tools that can help decipher menus or street signs is an extremely handy tool when traveling abroad.
If travelers would like to fully immerse themselves in the culture they will be traveling to, some opt to learn the local language to better equip themselves while on their trip. There are a number of apps that make learning new languages an easy task. Rather than spending months going to classes in order to learn a new language, mobile language apps breakdown lessons into bite sized pieces. For example, with an app like Babbel, the minimalist layout of the app helps prevent a new language from seeming overwhelming. Each lesson takes users through translations, and includes variations of the word or phrase with pictures to go along with it. Babbel also breaks down lessons into 15 minute sessions, so it doesn’t take up too much time each day.
Other apps to break down language barriers:
- Duolingo: Quick, bite-sized language lessons!
- Google Translate: Google Translate has a wide range of languages and most features available, such as text, voice and scanned translation options. Also allows a person to take photos of signs and have the text translated instantly.
- SayHi: Translates in-person conversations, which makes it perfect for traveling.
App Growth Tip: Incorporate gamification into the language app! Learning a new language can get tedious and at times frustrating. Draw users in by creating tournaments or rewards if they complete a certain number of challenges. This will not only increase in-app activity, but will encourage the user to be consistent in the app!
Navigating the Unknown
Mobile apps can also help users discover new places to visit during summer travels. These apps can suggest local attractions, restaurants, and activities based on your location. It can be overwhelming trying to find the best dinner choice in a new city, especially when time there is limited. Apps can help narrow down the top choices in new locations, in order for travelers to maximize their experience while on vacation.
Apps such as EatWith let users make reservations for culinary events around the world, hosted by locals. Experiences can vary, but often involve dinners, tasting menus, market tours, and wine tastings, among other things. It’s not always easy to make the personal connections that allow for this type of experience, especially for travelers that are only in town for a few days. That’s where mobile apps really step in to make sure that travelers are getting the most out of their holiday.
Other apps to help navigate the unknown:
- AirBnb Experiences: Discover and book unique experiences hosted by local experts.
- TravelingSpoon: TravelingSpoon helps you connect with locals for culinary adventures.
- TheFork: Great way to discover local restaurants, make reservations, and find deep discounts.
App Growth Tip: Leverage location-based notifications. If a user has just landed in Italy, send them recommendations of the best pasta tours in the city or wine tasting experiences. Make it easy for users to find and book these once in a lifetime meetups!
Takeaways of Summer Travel App Survival Guide
Mobile apps can make summer travel easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. From finding the latest deals to navigating new places, we’ve put together the ultimate summer travel app survival guide for both consumers and app marketers to make the most of this busy season.
- Deal Chasers: There are many mobile apps available that can help consumers find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. These apps compare prices from different airlines and hotels, allowing you to find the cheapest options.
- Planning Made Easy: There are also mobile apps available that can help to plan and organize trip itineraries. With busy schedules, multiple moving parts and possibly kids in the equation when it comes to travel, using an app to store all the necessary information removes a tremendous amount of stress.
- Breaking Down Language Barriers: When traveling to a foreign country where there is a language barrier, travel apps such as Google Translate with communication to locals. There are also a number of apps that make learning new languages an easy task.
- Navigating the Unknown: Mobile apps can also help users discover new places to visit during summer travels. These apps can suggest local attractions, restaurants, and activities based on your location.
