Vacationers feel anxious when travelling without their mobile computing devices, angry when they can’t access power sources to charge these devices, and annoyed when others peek at their computer screens, suggests a new survey conducted by Intel Corporation and commissioned by TNS.
The Intel Survey: Tech Norms for Travelers explored American attitudes towards travel and technology and revealed just how how much owners value their mobile devices.
For instance, survey respondents ranked losing their mobile computing devices when travelling as more stressful than losing their wedding rings (77pc versus 55pc), 44pc of travellers admitted felling anxious travelling without their ultrabook, tablet or laptop, and 87pc of 18-29-year-olds said they feel happier when travelling with their devices.
Travellers will also make an effort to stay connected. Sixty-three per cent of young travellers admitted going out of their way to power their device, including compromising their comfort and hygiene by sitting on the floor (37pc), searching public bathrooms (15pc) or choosing a restaurant or coffee house based on outlet availability (33pc).
Sixty-four per cent of survey respondents admitted to sacrificing their personal appearance – giving up hair dryers or styling tools, toiletries, sunscreen, workout clothes and even shoes – in favour of making space in their luggage for their devices.
Forty-six per cent of travellers say their biggest pet peeves about travelling with technology relates to security, including worrying the device may be lost or stolen and someone glancing at their screen. This concern rises to 62pc among young adult travellers.
Forty-nine per cent admit annoyance when the behaviours of others compromise their travelling comfort and security, including screen glancing and viewing inappropriate content, with more than 29pc of all travellers claiming they’ve caught fellow travellers peeping at their screens.
“The bond between travellers and their tech devices has strengthened greatly over the past few years with the explosion of instant information, entertainment and services conveniently available on the web,” said Mike Fard, Intel Ambassador.
“Gone are the days of travel as simple escape of ‘daily life’ as more people seek to enhance and share vacation experiences in real-time and use technology to truly make travel more fun and more memorable.”
Mobile device on beach image via Shutterstock
