It is no secret that travel apps are becoming more and more important for customers worldwide because of the convenience and multiple other benefits they provide. Today’s travelers are used to planning, booking, and managing their trips on-the-go, so travel companies have to provide a seamless and comprehensive user experience. Having a robust travel app is no longer an advantage — it is essential to simply stay competitive.
Whether you’re developing a new app or enhancing an existing one, here’s a list of the six must-have features provided by travel app development company experts.
6 essential features of a modern travel app
Advanced search
According to Statista, nearly 50% of travelers have used either a phone or a tablet for destination research. That speaks of how crucial good in-app search tools are for travelers.
An advanced search feature allows users to sort content and filter through various offerings with ease, ensuring that customers can quickly and reliably find exactly what they need without any hassle. This feature is incredibly important since modern travelers are accustomed to great search engines, and anything less results in frustration. The easier it is to find suitable offers, the more likely users are to pay for them.
Advanced search doesn’t stop at just providing reliable results based on the search query. The best tools offer users personalized suggestions based on their search and booking histories. Leveraging data and user behavior can significantly enhance the overall user experience and drive higher conversion rates.
Booking system
Booking systems enable travelers to book and manage travel services efficiently. A robust booking system is a core feature that provides reservation management tools with pricing and availability information in one place. This goes a long way for streamlining the booking process and reducing the time and effort usually spent on reservations.
A well-designed booking system can handle complex itineraries, support multiple payment options, and integrate with other travel services. It is a must-have tool that enhances the overall customer experience.
Payment gateway
Integrating convenient and secure payment gateways like Stripe, Google Pay, and Apple Pay is extremely important for any travel app. To put that in perspective, Booking.com generates half of its yearly revenue through mobile devices. Enabling your customers to easily pay at any time and wherever they are is an unparalleled feature that can significantly boost your sales.
Payment gateways also store travelers’ payment information, making future purchases even more convenient and simple. But even that is not the extent of their capabilities. Advanced fraud protection and encryption offered by these tools can ensure that your customers’ transactions are secure and their personal information is protected at all times.
Real-time updates
Mobile apps are indispensable travel companions, making their real-time update capabilities invaluable. Timely updates on flight delays, hotel availability, or weather conditions not only enhance the overall trip experience but also give users compelling reasons to choose your travel app over websites, which lack the same level of reliability.
Real-time updates help travelers make informed decisions quickly, reducing stress and enhancing their travel experience. This feature differentiates your app and allows you to build loyalty with dependable tools that travelers can count on.
Travel itinerary
Travel itineraries are invaluable for helping users keep track of their travel plans. They store all the necessary information in one place and can sync with calendars to send automatic reminders, keeping travelers informed at all times.
Interactive itineraries allow users to make adjustments on the fly, such as changing plans or adding new activities, and receive instant updates. Providing users with such a tool builds their confidence during the trip and ensures they never feel lost during their journey.
Offline access
While you might not consider it as crucial, offline access is just as important as other travel app features and absolutely deserves its spot on this list.
Users need access to their travel information not only when they are in their hotel room with perfect internet connectivity. On the contrary, they might need it the most in remote areas like woods or mountains. Think of how useful an offline map can be in that situation, or how incredibly important it is to enable your customers to get support at any moment during their trip.
As an added benefit, travelers will appreciate not having to pay expensive mobile roaming charges whenever they need to use your app.
Conclusion
Travel apps are here to stay. If you’re thinking of building an app or enhancing your existing one, incorporating these features can ensure that it meets the ever-growing industry standards and leaves your customers satisfied. Real-time updates, easy booking options, advanced search, travel itineraries, offline access, and convenient payment gateways enable you to meet the needs of any traveler.
Staying ahead of trends and continuously improving your app will keep your business thriving, which is why investing in these key features is investing in your own future.
