A new study reveals that people on vacation are finding it harder to disconnect from from their digital devices and are using their smartphones, tablets and laptops while traveling more than ever.
A Michigan State University study showed the number of people using smart phones while on vacation have tripled and that wireless use was higher on vacation at 40 percent than it is at home, which is 25 percent, according to
Science Daily.
“Not that long ago, travelers would need to find a payphone or send postcards to brag about their vacations. Now they just log on and send photos and text,” Christine Vogt, Michigan State Universoty professor of community agriculture, recreation and resource studies, said.
“Our results show clearly how the changing nature of IT behavior in everyday life is spilling over into our vacations.” Vogt co-authored the study.
With the increased availability of Wi-Fi, Vogt said that travelers are using laptops and phones to check local weather forecasts, transportation schedules, restaurant listings, recreation reports, bicycle routes and other vacation needs.
The results of the study will appear in the forthcoming issue of Annals of Tourism Research. Vogt said they hope to conduct more research in order to help the vacation service industry better understand what information travelers seek during trip planning.
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