2015 has brought new hopes for the economy, and the travel and hospitality industry is especially abuzz with excitement as they anticipate solid bookings ahead.
In a recent report, "Global hospitality insights: Top thoughts for 2015," EY says that the travel and tourism sector will grow by almost 3.9 percent this year. The growth is not just in sales but also in the pipeline of new guestrooms, about a healthy 1.3 million, it seems. This is definitely good news, since it shows a comprehensive development and all-around growth for the industry.
With more people traveling, it is no surprise that we are looking at ancillary growth as well. The hottest travel apps are one such focus, for travel without technology is unthinkable now.
1. Best price hunt
Few plan a vacation anymore without the help of online research, not just for information but also for better deals. Yes, many are still hooked onto good old Kayak, but it seems better deals are to be had from the new kid on the block, Hipmunk.
From finding the cheapest airfare to the best deals in hotels, you can search for everything on Hipmunk. What makes this travel booking app quite popular is its interconnected search with Airbnb and HomeAway for reasonable accommodation. The app is free for both iOS and Android, and there are great deals if you look carefully, especially for students.
2. Best lodging deals
The latest demand is for budget travel, while keeping all comforts and basic amenities intact. With more and more travelers looking for cheaper accommodations, sites like Airbnb have become megastars overnight. The site offers all kinds of apartments, from luxury to decent budget options easily.
So wherever you wish to travel, no matter what part of the world, you can expect inexpensive but comfortable stay any time. HotelTonight has also made quite a splash in the last two years. Those who have decided to go for a trip at the last minute can still get great deals via this site, even in five-star hotels.
3. Buddies on the road
There is no "end of the world" and "middle of nowhere" anymore. You are always connected.
Yes, GasBuddy is every traveler's best friend, but with road trips getting more popular with Americans, it seems it will score big in 2015 as well. This app acts as a navigator for travelers running low of fuel and guides them to the nearest (as well as cheapest) gas stations, even if you are in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Quite a lifesaver actually.
4. Safety comes first
No one likes to be followed around, but if it means more safety for your money, then maybe some amount of rethinking is due here. Come April, Visa will be rolling out a new service called the called Mobile Location Confirmation. This will be offered via the smartphone apps of various banks that sign up for it.
Global travelers have had to face "false declines" for their transactions quite often. Banks do this to prevent fraudulent transactions when they cannot determine whether the card is in the right cardholder's possession.
This app will use the data from your smartphone to gauge where you are and thereby cut down these declines by almost 30 percent, offering better prevention of fraud. Guess that also means more shopping for everyone.
5. Getting around easy
With Uber, one of the hottest apps in the market today, this is actually true. Whether it's trekking through Europe or visiting offbeat locations in Asia, you will need a maestro to guide you with good transportation. Uber does just that by letting you summon a ride with just a push of a button.
This is a great support for travelers in foreign countries, especially those not known for their reliable transport. With Uber, one can even track the driver's progress to the location, which means no fretting and waiting with uncertainties anymore.
The app needs a Wi-Fi connection, but with international airports and popular destinations all going smartly wireless, connecting and hailing reliable taxis is hardly a problem anymore.
