Travel trends for 2015 all about social media and e-commerce

Source: Euromonitor website.

Euromonitor International's World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2014, which has predicted future travel trends for the past nine years, is heavy on social media and e-commerce.

Key trends are for Asia Pacific are:

Messaging apps are becoming e-commerce platforms in China. WeChat, the second largest global messaging service after WhatsApp, has emerged as a viable sales channel for Chinese travel companies with customer service, bookings and payments.

Online and mobile bookings for India's rail network represent a strong driver for travel and tourism, and are recognised by the new government as a vital component for the country’s overall growth.

Hotel chains are further developing their social media marketing strategies with reward schemes set up to encourage “braggies,” where guests take photos in the hotel and upload the images to social media.

Wearable electronic technology will be mainstream by 2016, and will drive e-commerce. Travel brands are embracing this trend as part of their customer service and distribution mix.

In 2013, Euromonitor identified trends such as:

The mobile concierge: travel companies are increasingly using mobile channels to satisfy customers’ needs before, during and after the trip. 

Travel social in India: Indian online travel players are using social media more effectively to target young urban consumers.

Download the 2014 report here.