Millennials would choose holiday destination based on Pokémon Go, claims study

Millennials would choose holiday destination based on Pokémon Go, claims study

Hotels.com claims 85% of millennials plan to play Pokémon Go on their summer holiday and that 55% would consider a new destination because of the mobile game.

Hotels.com claims 85% of millennials plan to play Pokémon Go on their summer holiday and that 55% would consider a new destination because of the mobile game.

The study of 500 British millennial travellers also found that holidaymakers will spend four hours a day of their holiday hunting for Pokémon, compared to just three hours spent sunbathing.

More than half (54%) of those surveyed said they were considering new destinations knowing that there will be more Pokémon would be available to catch there.

Furthermore, it appears millennials care more about free Wi-Fi to play Pokémon Go (64%) than about a free breakfast.

A total of 15% even admitted they would choose one hotel over another because one was a Pokéstop – where gamers can collect items they need.

A total of 52% of those surveyed said they are more likely to use a Pokégym in a hotel (52%) than the actual hotel gym (20%).

The game is opening travellers’ eyes to culture, landmarks and exploration. 45% of holidaymakers say they’ll spend more time than ever exploring a city this summer and 35% believe they’ll learn more about a destination, all thanks to their Pokémon chasing antics.

Some would not rule out travelling to more unusual destinations such as the Australian outback (13%), the Arctic Circle (9%), Mount Everest (9%), the North Pole (8%), the Outer Hebrides (6%) and North Korea (6%), in search of Pokémon.

Hotels.com has compiled a top 10 ‘Pokétels’ list, detailing where multiple Pokémon have been spotted.

1. Doha Marriott Hotel in Qatar
2. Mantra 2 Hotel in Sydney
3. Pestana Vintage Porto in Portugal
4. London Marriott Hotel Twickenham
5. D’Best Hotel Bandung in Indonesia
6. Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Portland Airport in Portland, USA
7. Radisson Hotel Lansing in Michigan, USA
8. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in California, USA
9. The Lakehouse Hotel in San Diego, USA
10. Hotel Indigo London Kensington

Simon Matthews of Hotels.com said: “It’s lures over sun loungers and Pokéstops over restaurant hotspots this summer for travelling Brits.

“The Pokémon Go phenomenon is now influencing our holiday destination of choice this summer.

“It is making us more spontaneous and opening our minds to new adventures, in new destinations.

“We’re excited that we have a Pokéstop in our London office in Angel, so we feel it’s only fair we do everything we can to help our customers chase down Pokéstops around the globe.

“We have a team looking at how we can integrate a Pokétels algorithm into our mobile app.”