How do tourists search for tourism information via smartphone before and during their trip?

Abstract

This study examined tourists’ smartphone use patterns for tourism information searches. We explored associations between respondents’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and smartphone use for their most recent trip. Then, we compared differences in tourism information categories searched via smartphone before and during trips, respectively. Using data collected from tourists who visited coastal destinations in South Carolina, USA, a series of chi-square tests were conducted. Findings reveal that respondents’ employment status and age were significantly associated with smartphone use during their most recent trip. Furthermore, results show significant differences in tourism information categories searched via smartphone before and during trips, respectively. Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are provided to better understand tourists’ information search behaviour via smartphones.