Hotwire Launches iPad App
Hotwire.com®, a discount travel site, has announced the launch of its first iPad app, to better serve the rapidly increasing customer base using tablets to purchase last-minute deals. The introduction of a free iPad app expands Hotwire's suite of mobile products, which includes an award-winning mobile website and an iPhone and iPod touch app, and delivers hotel savings in over 3,145 cities across 61 countries. The app's unique interface cuts booking time in half when compared to the desktop experience, so travelers can make their next hotel reservation wherever, whenever, and with just a few taps.
Hotwire saw its customer base respond quickly and positively to the launch of its iPhone app last year. In fact, nearly 25 percent of all Hotwire hotel transactions on average now come from a mobile device with 75 percent of hotels being booked same day. Those numbers are only expected to grow as many rarely return back to the desktop version of the site once they have a mobile booking experience*.
Overall, mobile bookings are up considerably, and tablet bookings account for nearly half of all mobile purchases. And with tablets expected to overtake smartphones to become the primary source of mobile purchases within the next three years**, Hotwire felt it was the perfect time to launch a dependable iPad app.
The new iPad app – much like the iPhone app – puts a keen importance on ease of use, speed and savings. Here's how the app works:
*Based on mobile Hotwire data as of May 2012 that shows majority of customers repeat bookings via mobile site or iPhone app once they make their first purchase via a mobile device.
** Based off Juniper Research new mobile content revenue forecast, May 2013 http://www.juniperresearch.com/reports/mobile_content_business_models
Hotwire saw its customer base respond quickly and positively to the launch of its iPhone app last year. In fact, nearly 25 percent of all Hotwire hotel transactions on average now come from a mobile device with 75 percent of hotels being booked same day. Those numbers are only expected to grow as many rarely return back to the desktop version of the site once they have a mobile booking experience*.
Overall, mobile bookings are up considerably, and tablet bookings account for nearly half of all mobile purchases. And with tablets expected to overtake smartphones to become the primary source of mobile purchases within the next three years**, Hotwire felt it was the perfect time to launch a dependable iPad app.
The new iPad app – much like the iPhone app – puts a keen importance on ease of use, speed and savings. Here's how the app works:
- Sorting and refining hotel search is instantaneous on the app's interactive map, cutting out much of the clutter seen on other apps.
- Users select their preferred deal and the app displays hotel amenities, sample hotel brands within the selected star rating category and the total price.
- To book, the user simply hits "continue" and either enters their booking information or uses stored information for an even quicker experience. They then receive a confirmation notice with the name and address of their booked hotel.
- Users may also store and access past and future trips on the My Trips section of the app.
*Based on mobile Hotwire data as of May 2012 that shows majority of customers repeat bookings via mobile site or iPhone app once they make their first purchase via a mobile device.
** Based off Juniper Research new mobile content revenue forecast, May 2013 http://www.juniperresearch.com/reports/mobile_content_business_models