Travelers taking advantage of cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms used to go on vacation to get away from it all. Now many travelers view staying connected to others via cell phones and websites like Facebook and Twitter while on vacation as critical.
Just as a smart vacationer would not sit out in the blazing sun without suntan lotion, now many travelers will not vacation in places where Internet access is not readily available. People going overseas commonly inquire before leaving about the quality of cell phone service and international data plans.
Seventy-seven percent of Americans plan to stay connected while on vacation via Internet and cell phone, according to a recent American Express survey of 2,000 travelers. The driving force behind this motivation to stay connected is social, not business. Only 14 percent of the respondents indicated that they wanted to stay connected for work reasons.
Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed said that they wanted to communicate to family and friends and be connected in real time. The ability to share information and photos while on vacation is becoming increasingly expected. Many travelers feel compelled to be able to check their emails, wherever they may be.
Connectivity has become a necessity instead of an optional amenity. Interestingly sixty-five percent of the respondents said that while they expected connectivity on vacation that they were not willing to pay extra for it. Hotels that do not offer free Internet access are disappointing many guests and forcing them to look elsewhere for free WiFi service.
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