Welcome to our official TripAdvisor UK blog. This is where we aim to share our thoughts, quirky updates, new research and anything else we hope you will find useful and interesting.

Friday 5 October 2012

Are you a Nomophobic? Brits can’t let go of mobiles even on holiday


 

Are you a Nomophobic? Brits can’t let go of mobiles even on holiday


Nomophobia may sound like an aversion towards creepy crawlies or something equally as unpleasant but it is in fact a term which describes a very different fear. Nomophobics suffer with anxiety at having no access to mobile technology, and we at TripAdvisor have conducted research to find out just how obsessed many of us are with our mobiles. And it seems holidays are no exception when it comes to mobile addiction. But have you considered how that affects the people you’re with?

Over half of the British population own a smartphone* and a recent poll of over 5,000** respondents on TripAdvisor.co.uk reveals that over two-thirds (68%) of Brits have been on holiday with someone who refuses to be parted from their mobile phone.

And while mobiles and social media can undoubtedly be useful when on holiday, allowing you to access maps and find local information, a significant number of Brits are using technology to gloat at those back home, according to further research carried out on over 2,500 TripAdvisor respondents***. Almost two-thirds (64%) of Brits admit to posting an update or photo of their travels on to a social media site to make those at home jealous.

“As mobile devices and social media continue their dominance in our everyday lives, it’s perhaps not surprising that we struggle to let go when on holiday too. So while many of us prefer to stay connected in some way, holiday-makers need to be careful that their mobile and social addictions don’t lead them to miss out on actually enjoying their holiday,” commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

 
*Research carried out by Kantar Worldpanel


**Poll carried out on 5,378 respondents on TripAdvisor.co.uk between 14-20 September 2012

*** Poll carried out on 2,775 respondents on TripAdvisor.co.uk between 2-7 August 2012