While the September 11 attacks and subsequent wars have led to catastrophic consequences for many companies in the travel sector, analysts are predicting a rosier future for mobile telephones as a travelling companion for tourists. Built on a a strong base with its maturing GSM markets, the growth of mobile data usage and the adoption of WLAN are driving forward the next stage of mobile wireless services in Western Europe, according to a new IDC study, Evolution of Mobile in the Travel Industry.

Stressing there is still plenty of room for improvement, the report finds that there are significant initiatives underway in Europe to promote mobile services and mobile travel solutions. The growth rate of hotspots across Europe - especially in Scandinavia - is a clear sign that an increasing number of mobile solutions for travellers will be developed in the coming years to enhance the travelling experience and improve business travellers' on-the-road productivity.

Two main areas are receiving most of the focus of investment: deployment of mobile solutions to increase customer retention, satisfaction, and ultimately protect and grow revenue; and deployment of mobile solutions to increase employee efficiency for businesses.

Since so many travellers these days sport various mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptops, pagers or PDAs, travel companies can target users and personalised services with information services for tourism and work-related travel. Companies from airports and airlines, to hotels and taxi firms could profit from them.

WaluEurope
23 April 2003