Mobile devices have topped the list of travel companions, according to a newly released report from Expedia, Inc. But as travelers seek relaxation and maybe even an opportunity to unplug from their gadgets, the list of mobile offenses grows longer each year, including clipping a fitness tracker to your undies. Here we take a look at the highlights from Expedia’s report on the life of a mobile traveler.

An indispensable companion

Smartphones and other mobile devices are used for various reasons on a trip. Some turn to their devices to keep entertained in airports and on planes, while others prefer to check in at the office. For leisure travellers mobile devices are used for navigation, taking photos and videos and staying connected to people at home.

The study revealed that three countries prioritize mobile devices when travelling: China and Taiwan with 94 percent of its travellers considering smartphones as an important travel companion, and Thailand with 91 percent.

“We have found that travelers are using mobile devices at every stage of the travel process, from researching and booking trips to capturing and sharing the travel experience,” said Aman Bhutani, president for Brand Expedia Group. “And just because a traveler can use their device to read work email and stay connected to the office, they also believe it improves the quality of their vacations. Consumers tell us what they do and don’t like in their mobile offerings and habits, and we’ve been listening and steadily adapting to provide what the mobile-savvy travelers demand.”

It was also revealed that 60 percent of traveler globally won’t go on a vacation without a mobile device, and while on vacation, 63 percent of travelers sleep with their device beside their bed. Another thing to note is that 28 percent of travelers also carry a rechargeable pack or spare battery.

Despite the constant need to be connected, it seems travelers from Germany, Norway and Sweden do not give mobile devices that much importance compared to other countries and are better able to actually unplug.

Work never ends

People travel to unwind and disconnect but the study revealed that travelers who are employed check on work at least once a day. Though this might seem like a cause for a fight for those travelling with their partners or family, 60 percent reveal that their partners don’t mind if they check on work. Some even go to the extent of purchasing in-flight Wi-Fi when travelling just so they can check on work. Nationalities guilty of this include travelers from Hong Kong at 53 percent, China at 42 percent, and Taiwan at 40 percent.

You’re never truly unplugged

Global travelers admit that they are addicted to their mobile devices, with 84 percent stating that they want to be able to access information on the go, and half of the respondents stating that they would be “lost” without their mobile device while on vacation.

A large chunk of the respondents, 60 percent, stated that they are not truly “unplugged” while on vacation, with 35 percent claiming that they use their mobile devices more when on vacation than they do at home.

That is so annoying!

Despite travelers’ love for mobile devices, there are some habits or actions of other travelers that annoy just about everyone. Topping the list of etiquette violations at 58 percent is playing music, games or videos without headphones. 

Other etiquette violations also include taking photos/videos of strangers at 48 percent, making/taking voice calls while dining at a restaurant/café, and enabling notifications on the loud setting are tied at 39 percent, texting or emailing while attending a seated performance at 35 percent, making/taking video calls at 25 percent, photographing food during meal at 22 percent, entertaining children with games, apps or videos at 18 percent, attaching a fitness tracker visibly to an undergarment at 16 percent, posting more than 3 updates per day on social media at 14 percent, using location-based dating apps and believe it or not, taking photos using a tablet are the least offensive actions at 13 percent.

The study was commissioned by Expedia.com, one of the world’s largest full service online travel sites, and Egencia, the business travel brand of Expedia, Inc., and conducted by Northstar Research Partners, with data solicited from 9,642 travelers across 19 countries.

Gif/images via Expedia, Inc.