Travel Bookings are Going Mobile: 59% of Consumers in Asia Search for Travel Accommodation via Mobile Devices

Asia ranks 13% higher than the global average when it comes to consumers searching for travel accommodation via mobile devices according to a study by AsiaRooms.com and Lenovo

Singapore – June 9, 2014: Asia consumers are the most online-savvy in booking travel accommodation, according to a study commissioned by AsiaRooms.com and Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). 75% have indicated that when it comes to booking travel accommodation for leisure and business trips, reservations have been done online (10% higher than global average) and Singapore ranks the highest at 84%.

The study also aims to gain greater insights to the travel booking habits of consumers globally which includes the usage patterns of mobile devices. Amongst the markets surveyed, Asia takes the limelight and leads the global ratings in travel bookings online, mobile searches, and mobile purchases.

The use of mobile devices for travel accommodation booking is notably a rising trend in Asia. When surveyed, 59% of respondents in Asia indicated that searching for travel accommodation online via mobile ranks as their top usage. Asia came in 13% higher than the global average, with Thailand ranking the highest at 65% amongst the countries in Asia. The second most popular activity was to compare prices of travel accommodation online, with 50% of the respondents from Asia stating they do so (10% higher than the global average). An encouraging 33% of consumers in Asia have said that they book travel accommodation via their mobile devices (8% higher than the global average).

The study also revealed that 58% of consumers in Asia are using their mobile devices to make online purchases. 63% of consumers in Asia have also said that they are likely to use mobile devices in the future for making travel accommodation booking (10% higher than global average). The top reasons quoted for respondents not wanting to use the mobile device more often is that content is hard to see on the mobile device (40%) and that the internet connection on mobile devices is slow or unstable (35%).

Evidently, mobile connectivity is increasingly important for consumers in Asia as we found that 83% of the respondents own a mobile phone with internet access (Wi-Fi access or/and mobile data/subscription plan). This echoes the findings from Nielsen’s latest report on mobile penetration rates. Nielsen’s report found that smartphone penetration in Asia Pacific is booming, penetration in a number of Asia Pacific markets have already surpassed those of the U.S. as well as many European nations.

“Consumers are increasingly connected as well as demanding greater convenience at their fingertips and this trend is here to stay. AsiaRooms.com aims to bring our offerings to consumers via the most convenient platform and be top-of-mind when they are looking to book travel accommodation. As an example, our newly launched mobile app delivers a simpler, secure booking experience ‘on-the-go’; we have found this contributes towards a perfect holiday or business trip. We see travel and mobility as big passion points for consumers in Asia and will continue to extend our reach relevantly in the marketplace,” said Clarence Lin, Head of Marketing, APAC, AsiaRooms.com.

“With Asia seeing a boom in smartphone penetration rates, the usage of mobile devices whether for accessing the internet, mobile commerce, online banking or entertainment, will certainly continue to influence the lifestyle habits of consumers. This presents greater opportunities for Lenovo as we continue to pioneer innovative mobile devices, like the latest Lenovo Yoga Tablet and Vibe smartphones, and for our partnerships with leading lifestyle brands like AsiaRooms.com. It is heartening to see consumers increasingly integrating mobile devices into the various aspects of their lives and we will continue our focus on creating the best devices and building our ecosystem to provide new experiences for consumers,” said Terence Ng, Director, Global Ecosystem & Cloud Services, Lenovo.

The survey findings are based on the responses of over 12,000 online participants in over 25 major international markets, covering the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Oceania. Respondents were demographically representative of the internet-active adult population.

About AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com is a leading online travel accommodation specialist in Asia, offering an extensive and diverse range of accommodation options at exceptional value. It was awarded Best APAC Online Travel Agency 2013 at the Travel Innovation Awards, organised by TravelMole and EyeforTravel.

With more than 60,000 properties available at the click of a mouse via AsiaRooms.com’s simpler and more user-friendly online booking portal in five different languages, customers can book now and pay later, with no cancellation fees. In addition, customers receive instant confirmation of their booking. AsiaRooms.com is supported by a multi-lingual 24 hour call centre staffed by travel experts equipped to provide advice and assistance throughout the booking process.

AsiaRooms.com also offers a comprehensive country-by-country travel guide complete with details on interesting things to do, a listing filled with must-visit places, a currency guide, and genuine guest reviews, amongst other useful travel information and tips.

AsiaRooms.com is part of TUI Travel PLC, a leading international leisure travel group headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. TUI Travel PLC operates in over 180 countries, serving more than 30 million customers, and employs over 50,000 people.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$34 billion personal technology company – the largest PC maker worldwide and an emerging PC Plus leader – serving customers in more than 160 countries. Dedicated to exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution.  Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the Company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo, a global Fortune 500 company, has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina.  For more information see www.lenovo.com.