Writers and bloggers are arguably (or supposedly) at the sharp end of how travellers use technology before, during and after a trip.
So HotelClub wanted to find out what some of the high profile scribes kicking about on the web are doing with their kit, whether it’s the myriad of devices they use, what platforms they use to post articles, pics and video, and how frequently they’re doing so.
The sample size is small (57), but those behind the study say that the respondents were hand-picked because of their experience, as opposed to using a random group of people.
Some interesting stats nonetheless, by way of an infographic, of course:
NB: Disclosure – Tnooz was asked to contribute.
Related posts:
About Kevin May
I’d be interested to know how the person that does not own a mobile phone engages with the outside world. Does he/she only use laptop + Skype, for example? Or was a known, staunch technological Luddite included in the survey? More power to him/her.
The Travel Expert surveyed that had no mobile phone also stated that Facebook was most important way for staying in touch with family, friends and for marketing purposes. They also had multiple Facebook accounts and did use Skype.
I don’t travel with a phone – purely because I don’t have much use for one while travelling, and I’m definitely not a technological luddite! I originally left with a phone but after I didn’t turn it on once during my first year of travelling, I chucked it!
When I spend 10+ hours a day on my laptop I like to be able to disconnect from the online world when I leave my room.
I travel with a laptop and keep in touch with friends/family via Facebook/Skype.
Interesting, Ally.
So, Kev, will the mobile phone, as we know it, be instinct in five years?
@martin – phones or bloggers/writers?
I started out with no phone but picked up a cheap Android along the way. On a bumpy bus ride, it’s far easier to take notes than pen and paper. Plus I can text with it. There’s that too I suppose.
interesting information. Mobile browser they use could be another factor to analyze
Very cool article. I concur on the suggestion to analyze mobile browsers, results would definitely be interested.
Colleen Moo King, Travel Syndication Technology
Some interesting stats in there, thanks for sharing. Though I’m assuming the “100% of male travellers use Amazon’s Kindle” and “100% of female travellers use Tumblr” are mistakes; logically it cannot be so, and in any case those numbers are clearly contradicted by those in the bar charts to their left.
The stats are based on the people who took part so “100% of males who took part did use an Amazon Kindle and the same for the tumblr stats concerning the females who took part in the survey. The infographic was based on a survey which 57 people participated. So based on the survey the stats are not a mistake.
I’ve been on the road, on an around the world trip, for over 8 months now. I use all the most popular travel gadgets listed above to update my travel blog. One device which I’ve found invaluable on my travels is a MiFi box, allowing me to connect my i-phone, i-pad, pc etc through one sim to the internet, which saves both time and money.
I think whether you carry a phone or not depends a lot on how you travel. I tend to travel slowly, often spending weeks/months in one location and developing relationships with many locals. Having a phone makes it Easier to stay in touch/make friends with local friends.
is anyone else besides me looking at this fluffy but very pretty load of selective nonsense and thinking: why did I waste my time clicking on this link?
@shaney – ouch
Cute infographics! But i gathered some interesting insights too – like majority of people surveyed are budget conscious (couch surfing, money saving sites), men like Macs, women couldn’t be bothered by it (well I’m no Apple fan girl too) and Facebook remains an impt social sharing site (pinterest is catching up though)
I would have thought, one other key variable that should have been considered in addition to those demographics is the platform of the writer: are they regional in coverage, or are they global? I just think where you’re based and your usual degree of connectivity when you travel are important if it involves continually going into the same region that still has spotty connectivity and/or outdated capacity to stay connected. I tend to stay minimally connected when I go offshore to my region of travel coverage, both due to the fact that my tech set-up at home doesn’t extend in plan coverage to overseas, and buying the temporary short plans are never worth it unless something critical is going on that I have to take on the road and keep communicating on.