Mobile boom expected to transform ticketing business

More than 16 billion transport and events tickets will be delivered a year to mobile handsets by 2018, according to a new report.

More than 16 billion transport and events tickets will be delivered a year to mobile handsets by 2018, according to a new report.

The projected figure is three times the volume expected this year.

While adoption will be strong across a range of markets, volume growth will be driven by metro and bus deployments, most notably in the relatively untapped US market, the report by specialist company Juniper Research says.

It also highlights that a number of companies across the transport and event ticketing sectors have recognised that mobile delivery offers the opportunity to add value to the ticketing process.

Integration of mobile ticketing platforms with loyalty programmes is key to customer retention, offering a means of upselling additional services and cross-promotional opportunities.

Report author Dr Windsor Holden said: “The airline industry in particular has led the way in utilising mobile as a sales and loyalty channel.

“More than half of airlines are planning major investments in mobile over the next three years, employing mobile as a means of enhance customer self-service options throughout the end-to-end passenger travel process.”