The impact of mobile technologies on consumer behavior in the tourism industry

The tourism industry is currently in the era of m-tourism, the concept of which is based on the interaction of tourism and mobile technologies. The main aim of the thesis is to evaluate the impact of mobile technologies on the consumer behavior in the tourism industry. Specifically, it examines how mobile technologies have changed the way tourism products and services are consumed and what role mobile technologies play in each stage of the journey. Used methods are literature search, analysis of statistical data and professional sources, CAWI during online questionnaire survey and statistical methods for finding out the results of the questionnaire survey. The first chapter focuses on the area of consumer behavior. The second one deals with mobile technologies in tourism. The third chapter analyses the data obtained from the questionnaire survey and answers the set research questions. One the basis of the results of this survey, it can be concluded that with the help of mobile technology, consumer interaction with tourism services and products has become much easier and safer. The huge amount of information offered by mobile technologies simplifies the lives of tourists and makes them more independent during their travels. Furthermore, the results show that mobile technologies have the biggest impact on the experience phase of the journey. In addition, it was revealed that social and psychological factors, especially primary social groups and the traveler’s own perceptions and beliefs, are shown to have the strongest influence on the consumer decision-making process in the travel industry. It was also found that the tendency to use mobile technology for travel purposes decreases with increasing age.