09 Mar 2021

What it Takes to Create a Successful Travel App in 2021 – Design Guide

If there’s one industry that has borne, possibly, the biggest brunt of global lockdown in 2020 due to the deadly COVID-19 virus, it’s arguably the travel and tourism industry.

The sector that has witnessed one of the largest growth rates in the last decade – roughly 60% – experienced a jolting halt in 2020. With airplanes on the ground, hotels closed and travel restrictions implemented, travel and tourism became one of the most affected sectors since the very start of the virus spread.

The number of international tourist arrivals has been growing remarkably in the last decade. Globally, the arrivals reached a total of 1.3 billion in 2017, 1.4 billion in 2018, and 1.5 billion in 2019. 

In 2020, however, with the severe impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, international tourism went down by 22% in Q1 and by 65% in the first half of 2020 when compared with 2019 figures.*

In 2021, the scenario is expected to change for good with lockdowns been lifted and international movement pacing up slowly once again.

And, if there’s one definite method that can help businesses from this industry to find a solution for their losses incurred, it’s through launching a well-designed mobile app.

Yes! Having a successful travel app in 2021 will prove to be a game-changer for several different businesses. Whether you are into a hotel, a cab service provider for city tours, a restaurant, or a tour guide, creating a solid travel app can be a solid tool to attract and convert more customers.

Not that this is a new concept but, in 2021, having a mobile app that offers a great UI/UX experience can prove to be highly beneficial.

But, the question still arises as to what really makes a successful travel app?

Well, that’s precisely what we’ll be discussing in this article today.

With half of the world’s population having a cell phone with them, it becomes imperative for brands to ensure they have a strong presence on mobile platforms. And having a mobile app is a great channel for that.

As a professional graphic design business, we’ve helped several small businesses and startups to create effective mobile app designs. And, today, we’ll share with you some of the most basic practices which help in creating a successful travel app.

So, let’s get started! 

 

Geolocation and Tracking System

The purpose of creating a travel app (or any mobile app design for that matter) is to provide a quick and simple solution to the users. One of the very first things that the users require help with when traveling is the guidance with directions and amenities near them. 

On reaching their destination, tourists want to check in to a hotel or relax in a cafe for a little while. And, that is why every travel app must have a geolocation feature. 

It will help travelers to track their location and find viable places nearby. They can wander about the new place without depending on any local guide or tour services. 

Suggesting the best itinerary

A very common challenge that most travelers face, when planning a tour or vacation, is that of planning the most viable itinerary.

When you create a travel app that offers the services of not only creating but, suggesting the best possible itinerary, it automatically generates interest and attracts users.

According to Travelport’s 2018 Digital Traveler Survey, 64% of the travelers in the US use apps to view their whole itinerary in one place.

Easy login method

This is one of the most basic points from mobile app design 101. You don’t want your travel app users to spend a lot of time registering on your app by filling up a lot of information. 

This could possible lead them to get frustrated and uninstall the app almost immediately. 

One of the most effective ways to ensure that you have individual customer’s details while making it easier for them to login is by providing them the option for social logins; such as Facebook, Gmail, etc.

Booking services

2020, being the year of lockdown, has made users even more inclined towards mobile purchases. So, in order to create a successful travel app in 2021, you need to make sure that you have a simple booking method available on your app. 

Once your app users have decided on their itinerary, they would want to make the bookings for flights, hotels, etc. Providing them with such an option on your app itself will not only hold them on your app for longer but, will improve the probability of conversion.

Real-time communication

According to a marketing survey, close to 50% of US travelers look to have the option for live chat with a travel representative on their travel app. 

While using your travel app, it is highly likely that the users would have certain queries or questions for which they would want immediate answers. 

A live chat feature here will help them get answers to their queries and improve your customer service. This will help with both customer conversion and customer retention.

Reviews and thoughts

Even for a travel app in 2021, customer reviews and thoughts are going to be highly critical for successful branding. 

And, this not only goes for getting feedback for your travel app but, providing options to review the destination, hotels, restaurants, etc. 

This will not only generate trust for your app but, also provide enough information to the users before they decide on visiting a place.

Additional features

Along with the above-discussed features that would define a successful travel app in 2021, here are a few additional features that definitely require a special mention;

-Voice Search

-Weather forecast

-In-app language translator

-Offline notifications

-Money converter

-Social media sharing

-Personal user account

To conclude…

Last year has been a tough one for businesses from almost every industry; irrespective of their size and years of operations. However, with the successful invention of the vaccination that would be rolling out for the public in respective countries, this year seems to revive the travel segment sufficiently. 

So, make sure you make the most of this revival year by attracting the maximum number of customers. And, one of the strongest tools to accomplish that would be by designing a successful travel app in 2021.

If your business needs professional support with custom mobile app design, we can help. Simply get in touch at support@graphicszoo.com

*Source:Infomineo.com