Will super apps replace travel apps?
- Published:
- July 2020
- Analyst:
- Phocuswright Research
Travel companies have invested millions in their smartphone apps to promote and leverage the unique advantages of the mobile channel. But are these investments now in jeopardy, due to the emergence of super apps? According to Phocuswright’s latest travel research report Will Super Apps Replace Travel Apps?, the concept of a single app that handles travel planning, booking, and payment is not new, but super apps are different as they typically include non-travel services such as grocery delivery, banking or entertainment. In China, Southeast Asia, and Japan, super apps such as WeChat, Grab and Line provide multiple services encompassing both travel and non-travel activities, and have become part of consumers' daily mobile interactions. In June 2020, mobility app Splyt raised $19.5 million from Softbank, to pursue a super app strategy.
This full article explores the emergence of the super app phenomenon, and evaluates how it may impact traditional travel apps. The research also highlights:
- Super apps in Asia
- The role of geography and mobile in travel app adoption
- Is Google evolving into a super travel app?
- What about Facebook and Amazon?
- And more
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