Effects of travel-themed mobile applications on users' decisions in the travel process and user expectations

This study aims to examine the impact of travel-themed mobile applications on users' decision-making processes during their travels. It is designed to identify how these apps influence user behavior and decision-making throughout the travel process. The research seeks to understand users' motivations for using mobile apps before, during, and after their trips, and how these apps affect their decision-making. The study is divided into three main sections: the first explores the concepts of travel and tourism and their historical development; the second investigates digital transformation and the role of mobile technologies in the travel and tourism sector; and the third analyzes survey results on mobile app usage during travel. Data were collected using a questionnaire with demographic questions and 5-point Likert scale items, employing convenience sampling and online platforms. Descriptive statistics, T-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results indicate that users predominantly prefer mobile apps for hotel reservations, flight bookings, car rentals, and navigation services during their travels. These apps are used for information gathering before the trip, navigation and planning during the journey, and sharing experiences afterward. The study finds that mobile apps play a significant role in travel decisions, with personalization features notably influencing user preferences. The active use of technological advancements in travel processes is expected to lead to new mobile applications offering end-to-end services. This research highlights the contribution of travel-themed mobile apps to digital transformation in the tourism sector and provides important strategic recommendations for future research and app developers.