Author: JT

The industry is discovering that there are some serious benefits to implementing smartphone friendly strategies.

The World Tourism Organisation has reported that one of the primary socio-economic development drivers in Africa is the growing tourism industry, and mobile technology is playing an increasing role in the boom of international visitors to countries across that continent.

In 2000, there had been an estimated 26 million visitors to Africa, but by last year, that figure skyrocketed to 56 million.

FNB Business niches head, Wiza Nyondo, explained that “Tourism in Africa continues to prove its resilience despite numerous challenges across the continent. In South Africa, the sector faces challenges such as the lack of consistent power supply and restrained economic growth. However, a weaker Rand mitigates some of these factors as the country remains a cost-effective destination for international travelers.” Nyondo went on to express that mobile technology in tourism has created a “boom”, and that it is vital for the local sector to take hold of that information and use it to sustain the highly favorable growth rate.

Among the mobile technology offerings that were identified as beneficial were apps and payment systems.

He explained that mobile tech developments have already shown themselves to be “differentiators for tourism industry players” because they give those various participants a means by which they can showcase their services and form a real-time connection with potential customers. Furthermore, the latest smartphone and tablet based tech makes it possible for clients to use mobile platforms for processing payments, which enhances the convenience for both tourists and the individuals and companies that are serving them.

Among the primary challenges being faced at the moment is in the speed of the rollout of new and useful technologies and in the expansion and improvement of the current infrastructure. The reason is that those components are large scale projects but they will be absolutely vital to the evolution of mobile marketing, m-commerce, and smartphone based banking and payments on the African continent.

Nyondo also pointed out that the continued success and contribution of mobile technology in tourism will require “a strong and highly competitive local banking sector”.

Mobile commerce is experiencing strong growth throughout South Korea

Mobile commerce in South Korea is expected to experienced rapid growth in the coming years. The Boston Consulting Group was commissioned by Google Korea to examine the country’s mobile commerce sector. The report produced by this examination shows that South Korea is becoming a prominent market for mobile payments, with more consumers opting to shop for and purchase products online and in physical stores with their smartphones and tablets.

Report predicts that the mobile economy will account for 10% of South Korea’s GDP by 2017

The report shows that South Korea’s mobile Internet economy reached $28 billion in terms of revenue in 2013. This accounts for 2% of the country’s gross domestic product. By 2017, mobile commerce is expected to account for 10% of the country’s gross domestic product, reaching the $40 billion revenue point. There are many factors contributing to this growth, but the mobile application and content industry is expected to help power growth in the mobile commerce space.

Mobile marketing is also on the rise, as more consumers rely on their smartphones and tablets

As mobile commerce continues to grow, many companies are expected to place more focus on mobile marketing. More consumers are beginning to rely on their mobile devices for more than just communication. These consumers are constantly browsing social media sites and consuming content through their devices. This makes them attractive targets for advertisers that want to engage a mobile audience. Mobile marketing can help power the growth of mobile commerce by exposing consumers to products that they may be interested in purchasing online.

Consumers would give up basic luxuries in order to keep their mobile devices and access to the Internet

According to the report from the Boston Consulting Group, some 75% of South Koreans would give up newspapers, chocolates, and fast food in order to continue accessing the mobile Internet. Many people would give up what they consider basic luxuries just to keep their mobile devices. This may be good for mobile commerce, which will continue to grow as consumers become more involved in their mobile devices.