More than half (57%) travellers from Hong Kong post food snaps more than anything to #TravelBrag on social media.
HONG KONG – New research from Hotels.com Mobile Travel Tracker has discovered a new millennial trend of ‘travel bragging’ on social media to build kudos amongst their friends, and even faux friends on social. Trading in their #TravelBrag for ‘likes’, 28% of Hongkongers admit they spend over four hours a day on their mobiles whilst travelling, often more glued to the small screen than actually living the moment.
Food game on point
When it comes to what social savvy travellers are bragging about on their trips, food snaps (57%) is up there. Travel braggers show off their #foodporn to those stuck at home with their instant ramen, posting weird and wonderful dishes from across the globe. Landmarks, at 56%, take silver here.
Sharing who’s caring
Being a generation of filter-loving, hot-headed and often love-drunk youth, 45% of 18-29-year-olds admit they are not afraid to upload a picture with their loved ones on holiday #PDA (abbreviation for Public Display of Affection, for the uninitiated). But by taking a step back to look at the bigger picture, the research finds that women are responsible for pulling up the average as they are more likely to flaunt having a partner online (42%); men prefer posting on socials their serene, drama-free cityscape snaps (38%).
Travellers even get more anxious when their phone runs out of battery (17%) or even losing Wi-Fi (8%) than if they argue with their partner on a trip (5%). After all, we need that map and translation service to get around town, and a lover doesn’t always come with those two functions together – unless you can bring two, then it’s another story.
We literally love our phones
The new research has also proven the long-debated theory that chivalry really is dead, with 19% admitting they would rather travel with their smartphone than their partner, and 15% men have even admitted to using dating apps while out of town.
The research, commissioned by Hotels.com identifies new trends in how mobile technology is used during travel, as it launches its second annual Mobile Travel Tracker Report.
“At Hotels.com we know that 42% of people wouldn’t enjoy their holiday without their smartphone in their hand – how could they possibly capture the best selfie or show off to their friends at home without it! Not only that, we also know that getting the perfect picture plays an even bigger role with 18% of travellers admitting they would pose anywhere for that flawless selfie, often putting selfies ahead of safety”, said Daniel Craig, VP of Mobile at Hotels.com brand.
“With a third of travellers (32%) refusing to book a hotel that doesn’t offer free Wi-Fi, there is a clear demand for travellers to be connected at all times. At Hotels.com, we have so many great places to stay, all bookable at the click of a button on our mobile app, that we’re confident selfie-lovers will have plenty of opportunities to snap the ideal #nofilter photo for Instagram, perfect to #TravelBrag with.”
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
