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Future of Travel
Trends to look forward to in the new year
I’m continually astounded by how fast trends evolve in the travel industry. This time five years ago, most people would make a beeline for their travel agent when booking a holiday. I read a report recently that estimated that the number of brick-and-mortar travel agencies around the world has been halved over the past decade, as travelers go straight to the Web.
It’s believed that more than 75 percent of holidaymakers now research their trips online, and that an increasing number of them are turning to social media like Facebook and Twitter to refine their travel arrangements. More and more airlines are offering last-minute deals only via their Twitter accounts, and hoteliers are also announcing “flash sales” and special rates to their Twitter followers. Mind you, there’s nothing like a well-researched travel magazine to inform one’s travels, though even we are changing with the times, with a revamped Web site in the works, a monthly electronic newsletter, and yes, even our own Twitter account.
This year will also see an explosion in travel-related smartphone applications. With robust sales of iPhones and BlackBerrys (not to mention the recent launch of the Google Nexus) and the global rollout of high-speed data networks, analysts are predicting that more travelers will ditch their PCs and simply coordinate everything from their phone—which is certainly handy while you’re on the road. An ever-growing roster of applications already let you check flight schedules, search for popular restaurants, map your location, and book hotel rooms. It’s going to be an exciting time for travel.
Technology aside, we’re continually looking to you to let us know how you would like DestinAsian to evolve. This issue sees the return of our annual Readership Survey, the results of which will be used to shape the direction of the magazine this year and into the future
Story by Ronald Liem
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