How Travel Companies Can Leverage Mobile to Survive — and Thrive — During COVID-19

One way is by leveraging apps. As a mobile product consultancy building sustainable innovation in design and technology, we’re seeing encouraging numbers from our own clients. Those are being validated by the market: During the first quarter of 2020, average weekly time spent on apps rose 20% when compared to the previous year, according to global data on Android phones collected by the analytics firm App Annie.

Downloads also increased — by 15% on iOS and 5% on Google Play — as consumers with extra time on their hands explored new ways to keep busy. People might be playing it safe when it comes to travel, but they’re far more likely to take a chance on your app.

All of this amounts to a defining moment for any travel company. Engaging users when they’re not traveling should be top of mind even after Covid-19. Those who see this moment as an opportunity will be the ones who survive — and thrive — when the sector recovers.

When asking forward-looking questions, look to your own data for guidance. Revisit your personas, and invest in user interviews to validate your assumptions and potentially retarget them. Consider Covid-19’s impact. When consumers are booking hotels in 2021, will they expect a virtual video tour of a property? Will they continue to prioritize safety and flexibility when it comes to reservations?