Is Your Travels Business in Singapore Going Slow? Maybe an App Could Help

We live in a day and age where customers can very easily criticize a brand if they feel unsatisfied. In fact, it can be done with just a click. That’s how much things have changed.

This is exactly why businesses need to pay attention to their branding strategies. They need to be extra careful about defining their identity and establishing their name.

This is the era of all things digital and businesses need to change the way they think.

With the digital revolution in full flow, existing industries are undergoing a sea of change. One industry that’s been affected significantly is the travel industry. Customers don’t travel like they used to. There are no printed maps or guidebooks being used today. Customers want to be served and they want the service to be available at all times.

So, as a travel business, especially one in Singapore, how do you cope with this?

Well, you adopt mobile technology. The tech-savvy traveler already relies completely on mobile technology to plan his/her journey, do research, and make the necessary travel arrangements.

The data

A research firm, Juniper Research, found that there have been 31 billion downloads with regard to mobile apps in the year 2011 alone. This number is expected to reach 66 billion by the end of 2016. The firm also found that:

• 40% of smartphone users look for destination details on their mobile devices.
• 34% of smartphone users use mobile devices to reserve ticket or accommodation.
• 44%  of smartphone users rely on an app to make travel plans
• 12% have downloaded a mobile app that is travel related.

The data you see here clearly indicates that travel businesses need to go the mobile app way to market themselves better.

Why apps are perfect for travel businesses

Time and again, several studies and researches have shown the impact of an app in today’s business landscape. Apps are ideal for achieving a high level of engagement with the customer. So, an app can have the same effect on your travel business as well. As said earlier, mobile users are dependent on their mobile devices and the apps within those devices to help them with everything, including travel.

With a custom app for your travel business, you can allow your customers to organize their own travel plans, collect relevant information, and generally manage their travel affairs. When customers receive this kind of a tailored service for you, you can be sure that most of them will find it useful. This can help you with retaining old customers and gaining new ones.

Let’s take a detailed look at how apps can be beneficial for your travel business:

• An app can make the entire process of booking tickets very convenient. No one wants things to be complicated, especially a booking process. An app can make the process much faster and simpler. For instance, an app can be programmed to save passport information, preferences, and even payment info. Plus, it can do all this in a secure fashion.
• Apps can keep your customers informed at all times. For instance, what if they can’t find a place to stay at a foreign location? Of course, they could call you, but, there are several disadvantages to relying on a system like that. An app, on the other hand, can provide the customer with all the details they need to know about their destination.
• Apps make it easier to pay. All your customer needs is a debit/credit card or some other online payment system in place to pay for services through the app. Paper cash becomes almost non-existent.
• Apps also boost customer service. With an app in place, customers can stay in touch with you constantly. They can update you, while you can keep them informed or any changes or delays in their travel plans. This allows customers to trust you more and increases loyalty.

The app market is already filled with popular travel apps such as Travelocity and Expedia that have been downloaded by millions of people across the globe and Singapore.

So, stop overthinking and start working on an “app plan” for your travel business in Singapore. There are quite a few companies that specialize in mobile app development in Singapore. These companies can help you out with what you want.