Thomson and First Choice see sharp rise in mobile searches
Nearly half of searches for Thomson and First Choice holidays were made on mobile phones and tablets in 2014, according to figures released today by parent TUI.
The travel giant said 48% of searches came from mobile devices last year, compared to 34% in 2013.
The percentage of mobile bookings also grew, from 20% in 2013 to 28% this year.
TUI said the growth was down to the successful launch of its MyThomson and MyFirstChoice mobile apps, which will now be re-launched for tablets.
The apps already have over 20,000 daily users and Thomson and First Choice expect to see over one million downloads in 2015.
From early next year, customers will be able to use the apps for mobile check-in for the first time.
Meanwhile, Thomson and First Choice are also looking to trial wearable technology in the UK and overseas in early 2015, to coincide with the launch of the iWatch.
They did not disclose details, but said wearable boarding passes could allow travellers to board their flight ‘with a flick of a wrist’, while in resort they could access local information, get the latest weather reports and book excursions.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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