How does mobile device impact hospitality industary Essay

How does mobile device impact hospitality industary - Essay Example Mobile devices such as smartphones (the word cellular phone is no longer applicable with what it can do), computer tablets, wi-fi connectivity, etch that even digital cameras now are becoming mobile communication devices. In a report by Mobilize Worldwide, the leading developer of mobile applications for promotions in the web and electronic platform, that includes interactive websites, and similar marketing channels, there were 211 million subscribers of mobile device in the US alone as of May 2011 and this figure is continually rising. It also added that of these figures, 82% of adult Americans has a cellphone, 31% of which are classified as smartphone. The company’s research also revealed that 25% of Americans rely on their mobile devices with regard to their access to the internet than the traditional computer. Almost all at 95% of all mobile device users are also capable of sending and receiving multimedia messaging service or MMS and/or short messaging service or SMS or s imply text messages. This is worth noting because most of those who receive data from mobile devices read the messages within three minutes upon receipt at 90% percent of the time. It also revealed that 79% of smartphone users do online shopping and 74% of these purchases were a result of smartphone online research. More interestingly, the study was supported by the Pew Research that more than half of mobile pohone users use their mobile devices to find information about local hotels (Kasavana, nd). II. The hospitality industry The hospitality industry is composed of cluster of of industries comprising of accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, recreation and amusement sectors (Bit Wave Solutions, nd). The hospitality industry is a thriving multi-billion industry dependent on its customer’s free time, disposable income and willingness to engage in leisure. Example of sectors in the hospitality industry are hotels, restaurants, themed park and amusement centers involving a gamut of operations that animate the whole industry to serve the guests that would avail of their service. The rising prosperity in the new markets enabled the hospitality industry to expand its operation across the globe with the people’s rising disposable income offering them different service and amusement depending on their preference. Along with the expansion of the operation of the hospitality industry is the improvement of its infrastructure to better serve its customer and to remain relevant in a very competitive business environment. One of the fastest aspect of development in the hospitality industry’s infrastructure is the information technology that enables the use of mobile devices to increase customer engagement with the end of enhancing customer experience. The services that mobile devices enable includes â€Å"website configurations, fluent marketing campaigns, location-based activities, digital couponing, and point-of-sale settlement. Currently, the fastest growing segment of m-commerce service is mobile payments featuring cashless and cardless payment platforms â€Å" (Kamanava, nd). The increased use of information technology in the hospitality industry that facilitated these services has resulted in creased expectation of visitors and personalized service especially to those who are returning customers. This became possible because hospitality indu