Nowadays, most Indian travellers use social media apps during holidays: Study

New Delhi: Earlier, holidaying meant spending quality time with your family and friends and phones weren't used much. But now time has changed as travellers are still guled to their smartphone when holidaying to check their social media accounts so that they don't missed out anything while they are away.

Recently, a survey was conducted by Hotels.com Mobile Travel Tracker which showed that most Indian travellers spend 50 per cent more time on their smartphones while on a vacation.

“When you think of a vacation, you conjure up the image of spending hours relaxing around the pool, or exploring the sights and attractions of a new city. The reality, however, for global and Indian travellers is that they spend more time glued to their smartphone than on their sun bed,” it said.

The global study was conducted among 9,200 travellers across 31 countries. “While away on a holiday we turn into social media show offs, use mobile to search for our next meal and have Facebook face-offs with our travel companions,” the survey observed. While on a holiday, 95 per cent of Indian travellers spend majority of their time on Facebook compared to other social media channels, it added.

Indian travellers typically spend on an average of two and half hours a day on social media channels with Facebook leading the list, the survey found.

Instead of relaxing and enjoying themselves on a holiday, most travellers still have a real case of FOMO (fear of missing out), which compels them to comment on posts just so they don’t miss out on anything while they are away. On searching content while on a holiday, food is an important factor for Indian globetrotters, it added. “Most Indian travellers admitted that their mobile device was their primary source of information while away. When it comes to searching for content, they search for tasty food options over top attractions,” it said.

(With PTI inputs)