COVID-19 has accelerated the race to create contactless processes, digital health passes and means of safely storing customer data. Therefore, companies should be looking to remodel travel apps to better service and manage the post-pandemic traveller. This is according to data and analytics company, GlobalData.
GlobalData’s company filing analytics database shows that both mobile payments and online travel were in the top-five themes mentioned in tourism company filings in 2020.
Developing an end-to-end service such as a travel app will ensure safe travel and easier, automated management, which could be greatly beneficial for all involved.
In a survey asking respondents if they would only pay for products and services using their cards or phones rather than cash, 55% responded ‘yes’. The same survey also revealed that 60% of respondents would like to ‘start or continue’ making banking transactions online.
Reasons behind this likely relate to contactless payment systems offering general ease of use alongside health and hygiene.
“From a company perspective, apps provide opportunity to upsell any additional products and can lead to higher return on investment,” says Johanna Bonhill-Smith, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData.
“Other than displaying COVID-19 travel requirements, travel apps also offer overwhelming benefits for destinations. An app devised by a Destination Marketing Organisation, for example, could promote the experiences within a destination, while managing capacity at certain attractions/locations. Benefits can also be seen here for airports, whereby tourists can be redirected to different areas of the airport due to heavy footfall, ensuring social distancing measures are adhered to,” Bonhill-Smith adds.
