Global Hotels.com survey reveals Aussies rate their smartphone as the third most important travel item. Over a quarter of Australians have admitted to being reluctant to fob their phones off while holidaying, according to a global study from Hotels.com.
The study, which looks into digital holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores which nationalities find it most difficult to achieve that ever-important work/life balance and switch off when holidaying.
While a substantial number of Aussies need to learn to ditch their devices while holidaying, compared with the rest of the globe, Australians aren’t doing too badly in the work/life balance stakes, ranking at 20th position, alongside the Danish and the Dutch.
Thailand travelers have been revealed to be the nation least prepared to give up their mobile devices when going on holiday. For a huge 85% of them, the thought of going on holiday without their beloved gadgets would have them breaking out into a cold sweat. Sitting closely behind Thailand was Korea in second place with 78% of the nation finding it difficult to be without their devices, with Japan occupying third place at 69%.
Countries least willing to ditch their devices while on holiday:
| RANK | COUNTRY | % VOTES |
| 1 | THAILAND | 85% |
| 2 | KOREA | 78% |
| 3 | JAPAN | 69% |
| 4 | CHINA | 67% |
| 5 | SINGAPORE | 60% |
| 6= | TAIWAN | 53% |
| 6= | NORWAY | 53% |
| 8 | BRAZIL | 52% |
| 9 | IRELAND | 51% |
| 10 | FINLAND | 50% |
| 11 | HONG KONG | 46% |
| 12= | FRANCE | 40% |
| 12= | RUSSIA | 40% |
| 14 | ITALY | 39% |
| 15= | GERMANY | 36% |
| 15= | UK | 36% |
| 17 | US | 35% |
| 18 | COLOMBIA | 33% |
| 19 | NEW ZEALAND | 30% |
| 20= | DENMARK | 29% |
| 20= | AUSTRALIA | 29% |
| 20= | NETHERLANDS | 29% |
| 23 | MEXICO | 28% |
| 24 | CANADA | 27% |
| 25= | SWEDEN | 23% |
| 25= | SPAIN | 23% |
| 27 | ARGENTINA | 22% |
| 28 | INDIA | 20% |
The study also further revealed almost one in five (17%) Aussies regret spending too much time on their mobile devices upon returning to home soil. Despite this, almost 2 in 5 (39%) admit to checking work e-mails while away, even though well over half (69%) concede to trying to use their holiday to forget about work. But being unable to disconnect isn’t just about being connected to work. Having access to social media, wherever they are, is very important to a quarter (25%) of Aussies
When it comes to Aussies’ top ten most important travel items, the mobile phone ranked as high up as no. 3, superseded only by the ever-important passport, which came in at no.1. Travel insurance came in at no.2, while the good old gym gear came in last at no.10 – seems Aussies’ thumbs are the only thing getting a workout while on holiday!
Zoe Chan of the Hotels.com brand said, “Going away on holiday should be a time to take stock and unwind, whether you’re lying on a beach in the Seychelles or snowboarding down a mountain in Canada. While smartphones have their plus points while on holiday, using them to check the weather, view maps and book accommodation on the go, travellers would benefit from switching off their devices to disconnect, restoring a little more of the all-important work/life balance.”
Top ten most important travel items for Aussies:
RANK TRAVEL ITEM
1 Passport
2 Travel insurance
3 Smartphone
4 Sunglasses
5 Sunscreen
6 = Swimwear
6 = Travel Guide
8 Deodorant
9 Razor
10 Gym Kit
The Hotels.com study also uncovered which nationalities are most likely to exaggerate their holiday experiences, when returning home. Chinese travellers came top of the pile (67%) when it comes to adding a bit of creative license to holiday stories. Close behind in second place came German travellers (64%), with Korea in third place with almost half (48%) of respondents admitting they would embellish a story to impress others. Aussies came in at equal 23rd, along with the Danish, with almost 2 in 5 (19%) of Aussies admitting to exaggerating their holiday yarns.
Countries most likely to exaggerate their holiday experience
| RANK | COUNTRY | % VOTES |
| 1 | CHINA | 67% |
| 2 | GERMANY | 64% |
| 3 | KOREA | 48% |
| 4 | SPAIN | 47% |
| 5 | THAILAND | 46% |
| 6 | TAIWAN | 44% |
| 7 | INDIA | 40% |
| 8 | RUSSIA | 37% |
| 9 | NETHERLANDS | 36% |
| 9 | JAPAN | 36% |
| 11 | SINGAPORE | 35% |
| 12 | IRELAND | 34% |
| 13 | UK | 31% |
| 14 | BRAZIL | 30% |
| 15 | FINLAND | 29% |
| 15 | COLOMBIA | 29% |
| 17 | NORWAY | 28% |
| 18 | FRANCE | 25% |
| 19 | US | 24% |
| 19 | ITALY | 24% |
| 21 | NEW ZEALAND | 20% |
| 21 | CANADA | 20% |
| 23 | AUSTRALIA | 19% |
| 23 | DENMARK | 19% |
| 25 | SWEDEN | 14% |
| 26 | ARGENTINA | 12% |
| 27 | HONG KONG | 9% |
| 28 | MEXICO | 8% |
Issued on behalf of Hotels.com by Sefiani Communications Group
*2,495 respondents surveyed in July 2014 across 28 countries.
About Hotels.com
Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website operated by Hotels.com, LP. with nearly 325,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. Regular customer e-newsletters provide exclusive offers and advance warning of up-coming sales. There are more than 11 million reviews on the site from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking.Through its industry-leading loyalty program — Welcome Rewards — customers can earn a free night at more than 100,000 hotels for every 10 nights stayed, subject to the terms and conditions set on http://www.hotels.com. Under its Best Price Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will refund the difference, subject to the terms and conditions set out on http://www.hotels.com. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centres. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at http://au.hotels.com/deals/mobile_au/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook facebook.com/Hotels.comANZ and on Twitter at @Hotels_com_ANZ. Hotels.com, LP. is part of Expedia, Inc., one of the world’s largest online travel companies with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world’s best-known brands.
