In 2023, more than 850 million people worldwide used travel apps. In 2024, global travel app downloads surpassed 2.8 billion, marking a massive increase in reliance on mobile technology for managing trips. Mobile applications have revolutionized the travel and tourism industry, reshaping how businesses operate and how travelers experience the world. As of 2024, the mobile travel booking market is valued at $228 billion and is projected to exceed $526 billion by 2032.
The rise of mobile travel apps
Travelers increasingly rely on mobile apps for trip planning, booking, and navigation. A 2023 survey revealed that a significant portion of travelers use mobile devices to plan or book their trips worldwide.
The hospitality and tourism sectors are rapidly evolving, and mobile apps are at the heart of that transformation.
Travelers are increasingly turning to mobile apps for everything from booking flights and accommodations to discovering local experiences.
For businesses in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors, the shift to mobile-first experiences is becoming a critical part of digital transformation. If your business hasn’t yet embraced a mobile app, you're missing out on opportunities to improve customer engagement, streamline operations, and integrate advanced technologies like AI.
Here’s why you should consider adding a mobile app to your digital strategy:
Benefits of mobile apps in travel tech
Meet traveler expectations
Today’s travelers expect seamless, convenient experiences at their fingertips. Mobile apps provide that, allowing users to easily book trips, check-in to hotels, access itineraries, and get real-time updates—all from their smartphones. According to recent data, over 70% of travelers already rely on smartphones to manage their trips. This is an expectation, not a luxury.
By offering a mobile app, you're meeting these expectations and improving the chances that users will engage with your business regularly. Whether it's for booking a flight, navigating through an airport, or finding local attractions, a mobile app offers convenience in a fast-paced world.
Personalization powered by AI
Mobile apps act as a goldmine of real-time user data—the cornerstone of AI technology. Apps allow businesses to collect detailed insights about traveler behavior, preferences, and booking patterns. Personalization is key to improving customer satisfaction. AI can help you provide tailored recommendations for future trips, suggest nearby attractions, or even adjust pricing dynamically based on customer behavior. When AI is integrated into a mobile app, it helps businesses deliver real-time, relevant content, keeping customers engaged and increasing conversion rates.
Travel apps like Kayak and Google Trips use AI to send personalized travel suggestions and deals based on a user’s past searches or bookings. This kind of tailored experience is what customers expect—and it’s far more effective when delivered through a mobile app.
Offer convenience through contactless solutions
One of the major shifts in the travel and hospitality industries is the rise of contactless solutions. Travelers are seeking ways to reduce physical contact during their journey. Mobile apps play a huge role in enabling this shift.
From digital check-ins and room access with mobile keys to contactless payments and real-time communication with staff, mobile apps are helping businesses deliver convenience.
Hilton’s app allows guests to check in, choose their room, and unlock the door with their phone. Marriott has a similar feature with their mobile key system. These features have become the new standard in the industry, and travelers are beginning to expect them everywhere.
Real-time updates and communication
Real-time updates are essential in the unpredictable world of travel. Mobile apps enable businesses to communicate instantly with customers about flight delays, gate changes, or weather conditions, reducing uncertainty and enhancing the travel experience.
Real-time alerts for travelers
Push notifications can be used to inform travelers about important changes during their journey, such as delays or last-minute offers.
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Apps like TripIt send real-time notifications about flight changes, keeping travelers informed and stress-free.
Customer support via mobile
Mobile apps provide an efficient way for travelers to access customer support. Instead of waiting on the phone, users can message support teams directly, request services, or ask for recommendations in real-time.
The future of travel tech: AI, AR, and beyond
The travel industry is increasingly adopting technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR). Imagine a travel app that doesn’t just give you directions but also guides you with AR navigation through a city, overlaying key landmarks and historical facts on your screen as you explore.
AI integration for predictive services
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance mobile apps by offering predictive services, such as anticipating customer needs and automating tasks like customer service or dynamic pricing.
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Chatbots powered by AI can help travelers with booking, customer service, and recommendations, providing a seamless experience.
AR features for interactive travel
Augmented Reality (AR) can transform a simple travel app into an immersive experience. It allows users to overlay virtual information on their surroundings, providing enhanced navigation and educational content about landmarks and destinations.
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Google Lens allows travelers to point their phone at a menu or building and instantly get translated text or historical context.
Why travel tech companies must adapt
As we’ve seen, mobile apps are no longer just a tool for booking flights or finding directions. They’ve evolved into an all-in-one travel assistant that simplifies and personalizes the travel experience, providing valuable data, real-time updates, and contactless convenience.
If you’re a travel tech company without a mobile app, you’re missing out on this immense opportunity to enhance your offerings. Your competitors are already embracing mobile apps, and travelers are demanding them more than ever. To stay ahead, you need to act fast and build an app that provides value, convenience, and a seamless experience from start to finish.
B2C vs. B2B mobile apps in travel tech
Both B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) mobile apps are important in the travel tech space, but they serve different functions.
B2C Apps: Direct engagement with consumers
B2C apps are designed to engage and assist travelers directly, offering convenience, personalization, and real-time updates.
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Airbnb allows travelers to book accommodations, message hosts, and explore destinations directly through their mobile app. Airbnb leveraged its mobile app to reach millions of users globally. In 2023, over 80% of Airbnb's bookings were made through mobile devices, showcasing the success of their mobile-first strategy.
B2B Apps: Empowering business operations
B2B apps in travel tech streamline operations for businesses in the industry. These apps often serve agencies, hotels, or airlines, enabling them to manage bookings, customer communications, and data.
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Sabre provides a mobile platform for travel agencies, allowing them to access booking systems for flights, hotels, and car rentals on the go. Sabre's mobile platform enables travel agents to quickly manage reservations and respond to customer inquiries. This improves efficiency and customer service, ultimately driving business growth.
Travel mobile apss and AI
Integrating mobile apps with advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a must. AI enhances personalization, automates booking processes, and provides real-time assistance, as we already mentioned above, significantly improving the traveler experience.
GuideGeek, an AI-powered travel app that assists users in planning holidays by providing personalized recommendations for accommodations, dining, and activities. Accessible via platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, GuideGeek leverages real-time travel data to enhance the planning process.
Airlines are integrating AI into their mobile apps to improve customer trust and satisfaction. For instance, AI-driven features can offer personalized flight options, real-time updates, and automated customer service, enhancing the overall travel experience.
Why your travel tech business needs a mobile app now?
If you’ve been delaying the decision to launch a mobile app, now is the time to act. The travel and tourism industry is increasingly mobile-first, and travelers expect apps to manage every aspect of their journey. Without a mobile app, your business risks falling behind.
Industry giants like Airbnb, Uber, and Booking.com have set the bar high for mobile-first experiences. According to studies, 72% of travelers prefer to book through apps, demonstrating the overwhelming shift toward mobile platforms.
Adopting a mobile-first strategy is no longer optional for travel tech companies. It’s essential for staying competitive, engaging customers, and differentiating your brand in a crowded market.
The future of travel belongs to those who adapt
Every journey starts with a decision. For travelers, it’s the decision to explore new places. For travel tech companies, it’s the decision to evolve or risk becoming obsolete. Mobile apps are not just another digital tool but a gateway to a smarter, more connected, and deeply personalized travel experience.
Think about the last time you booked a trip. How many times did you reach for your phone? Travelers expect seamless, instant access to information, bookings, and support. If your company isn’t meeting them there, someone else is. Every moment you delay adopting mobile technology, potential customers are forming relationships with competitors who already have.
The travel industry is no longer about just selling flights, hotels, or tours. It’s about understanding people, what excites them, what they need before they even ask, and how to make their journeys effortless. AI-driven recommendations, real-time updates, and frictionless bookings are no longer futuristic ideas; they are the new standard. And mobile apps are the only way to deliver them effectively.
This isn’t just about staying competitive. It’s about survival. It’s about being part of the future of travel, shaping the way people experience the world. Every moment a traveler spends in your app is an opportunity to build trust, loyalty, and lasting business success.
So ask yourself: Will your company lead the way, or will it watch from the sidelines as the industry moves forward? The choice isn’t in the future, it’s right now.
