Study: Vacations are going digital

Packing smartphones, tablets and laptops is as much a part of vacations these days as remembering the sunscreen, a Michigan State University study found. Even for people on holiday, easy online access and ubiquitous personal devices have made the digital divide disappear, researchers said. "Not that long ago, travelers would need to find a payphone or send postcards to brag about their vacations. Now they just log on and send photos and text," researcher Christine Vogt said. "Our results show clearly how the changing nature of IT behavior in everyday life is spilling over into our vacations." The number of people using smartphones has tripled and wireless use was higher on vacation, 40 percent, than at home, 25 percent, the study revealed. People used the Web more to plan vacations, 80 percent, than for work, 70 percent. "Travelers are using their laptops and phones more often, and not just to plan vacations," Vogt said. "Since WiFi is available at most destinations, tourists are checking local weather forecasts, transportation schedules, restaurant recommendations, fishing reports, safe bicycling routes and much more."