
Although apps, in general, have seen consistent growth year after year, travel apps have been particularly popular. In 2012, there was a 116% increase in travel apps compared to an 84% growth in general mobile app use, the second highest increase after photography.
While travel apps are typically associated with booking hotels, only 18% of users had booked a hotel room with a mobile app, with the most common activity is to look up the hotel address or directions (29%), followed by activities outside of the expected bookings, including attractions to visit (23%) and nearby restaurants (22%).
Travel apps are offering more to their users and aren't limited to tourists: local attractions and restaurants are also benefit people living in the area, making these apps marketable to a wider audience as well as having more longevity and used regularly rather than for the occasional trip.
People are no longer content with a one-size-fits-all approach, they want travel info and experiences be tailored to their individual preferences. Here are some tips on how to build a travel app that meets the expectations of today's travellers.