Lost in translation? Booking.com research exposes surprising gap between travel ambitions and reality

Technology has transformed travel, shrinking the world and making thousands of destinations only a click away. However, new research reveals a significant two thirds (67%) of today’s travellers don’t believe they are making the most of their travel opportunities.

Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has conducted research across more than 20,500 global travellers to uncover the barriers and anxieties which prevent people from making the most of every trip and reveal how they can move to a state of truly limitless travel.

One of the most common concerns that hold Canadian travellers back is the language barrier (39%).  

In a unique collaboration, Booking.com has teamed up with ili, the world’s fastest offline translation device, to offer travellers an exclusive discount on their very own ili device and limited version of Booking.com case. With customer support available in 43 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Booking.com is an expert at connecting people of different languages and this partnership will further help travellers to overcome their concerns around language.  

Available in Canada, US, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, UK, New Zealand and Australia, the device can translate your words instantly offline and can be used to enrich communication in situations such as asking for directions, ordering food in restaurants, going shopping, and seeking recommendations from locals.

Booking.com’s research also shows almost two thirds (61%) of Canadians want to experience new cultures, almost half (49%) want to taste local delicacies, over a third (39%) are keen to experience staying somewhere new, and a third (32%) want to embrace meeting new people while travelling. Booking.com and ili can help travellers unlock these new potentials.

“Our collaboration with ili is a great example of how we want to enhance the traveler experience, wherever they want to go and whatever they want to do. We don’t only want to connect travelers with amazing places to stay, we also want to provide enough knowledge and advice about a destination, so no matter where you choose to go, you can feel inspired to see more, go further and embrace every opportunity along the way. As an industry innovator, we are continuously looking for ways to use the latest technologies to take the friction out of travel and empower people to experience the world”, says Pepijn Rijvers, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com.

To receive your own ili device at a discounted rate, visit Booking.com/Limitless Travel.

About Booking.com

Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 17,000 employees in 198 offices in 70 countries worldwide.

With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travelers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in 43 languages, offer over 27 million total reported listings and cover more than 130,000 destinations in 227 countries and territories worldwide.

Each day, more than 1.5 million room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether traveling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal place to stay quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in 43 languages, any time of the day or night.

About ili

Ili is the world’s fastest offline translator designed for travelers. It can translate your words into other languages in as little as 0.2 seconds without an internet connection. It’s simple to use, all you need to do is pressing the button and speaking into it.

Developed by Logbar, a Japanese startup, ili has been used by over 50,000 travelers around the world. ili has also received high praise from outlets such as Forbes.

ili gives you a chance to explore different countries in brand new and exciting ways.  Shop, dine, and navigate easier than ever thanks to ili’s translation technology. Say hello to the locals and introduce yourself. You’re bound to meet someone special.

ili currently translates from English to Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese. Updates will be available in the near future.