Nearly four in ten millennials aren’t confident travelling – without mobile data

Nearly four in ten data-dependent millennials (38%) admit they would not feel confident in going on holiday – if they did not have access to mobile data while away, research has found.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that 27-40-year-olds are the most likely generation to get lost while on a trip abroad – with 37% of this age group having done so previously.

As a result of not being able to use their phones, one traveller was unable to retrieve their booking details, and was taken to the wrong hotel.

And another was propositioned in Amsterdam – after getting lost in the red-light district.

However, it also emerged that the younger, Gen Z generation, of 18-24-year-olds, have never even worried about the possibility of not being able to use mobile data whilst travelling (17%).

But 28% of this age group admit they have never studied a physical map to help them with their whereabouts.

Other travel preparations that Gen Z have never taken include buying a phrase book or “Rough Guide” ahead of a holiday, or using a traveller's cheque.

And 28% have never visited a travel agent, while 39% have never used a camera that needed film to take their holiday snaps.

It also transpired that 27% of Gen Z adults have teased older people, like their parents, for some of the ways they prepare for a trip abroad.

The research was commissioned by mobile phone operator, SMARTY – which has also created this quiz, to discover how switched on you are when it comes to getting about on your travels.

Elin McLean, general manager at SMARTY, said: “Travel has changed a lot, even in the last decade or so.

“People of a certain generation will remember that it doesn’t feel all that long ago that the inflight entertainment was limited, while meals on board a flight were free.

“But there are lots of other subtle changes that have happened to the way we travel – many of which have come about due to the launch of the smartphone.

“Our phones are an all-in-one map, translation guide, wallet, weather forecast, currency calculator, guide-book, and more. It can be a real lifeline, but when we can’t use our phones, we are – sometimes quite literally – lost.”

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The research also found that 29% of all those polled admit they’d lack confidence in going on holiday if they weren’t able to access mobile data while they were there.

And older adults, in particular, leave nothing to chance – as 18% of 55-64-year-olds claim they are “not spontaneous at all” when it comes to booking travel.

Omid Djalili, comedian and ambassador for SMARTY mobile, said: “I, too, have had a few embarrassing data-less moments on holiday.

“Those moments are the times when you really regret not having a back-up plan for your rudimentary Spanish or basic map-reading skills! Having data roaming while travelling in Europe makes life so much easier.”

Across all age groups surveyed, 22% have been on holiday without giving a thought to currency exchange rates.

And more than a tenth (13%) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, have gone away without even thinking about sorting travel insurance.

Elin McLean at SMARTY mobile, which includes EU Roaming up to 12GB, added: “Mobile phones are a must-have in every traveller’s pocket. They have taken the place of language books, sightseeing guides, cameras, and so much more.

“But many of these things are totally reliant on mobile data – which is why it’s important to make sure you know what your roaming packages are before you head abroad.”

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