Survey: Travellers live for free WiFi

Free

WiFi access is a must-have for global travellers, with 40% worrying about being unable to connect to the internet on their journeys, according to research commissioned by Booking.com.

A strong WiFi signal is crucial for a comfortable stay, especially with the rise of tech-oriented travel activities such as taking pictures for social media, checking restaurant reviews and listening to playlists.

Unlimited complimentary WiFi is arguably a prerequisite.

Delving into more than 27 million properties in over 120,000 destinations around the world, Booking.com’s survey identifies four high-technological trends that are designed to impress tech-savvy travellers:

Self check-in. Travellers are greeted by computers, which they use to check themselves in.

Smart room controls. Some hotels have impressed their customers with high-tech central room control tablets or mobile apps that allow guests to control the blinds, adjust climate controls and coloured lighting as well as set a mood-enhanced wake-up calls, and even turn the shower walls from transparent to frosted. Smartphone key. A few hotels have leveraged IT recognition technology, redesigning room keys into a smartphone or a smart watch. This will not only navigate guests to the correct room, but also serves as a communication channel to hotel staff during their stay.

Smart entertainment. Some technologically advanced hotels offer guest rooms with iMac computers with Airplay functions, free movies on demand and a photo booth on top of a large flat-screen TV in each room. The technological amenities are impressive, but it’s complimentary fast WiFi that weighs most on traveller when they select places to stay.