Innovation: Best Travel App
Winner: Google Maps
With over 60 per cent of the vote, Google Maps has been heralded as the must-have app while travelling. Launched in 2005, it’s fair to say the web mapping service has revolutionised the ease of travelling. Offering satellite imagery, street maps, 360-degree panoramic views and real-time traffic conditions, it has become an indispensible route planning tool for journeys by foot, car or public transportation. New updates unveiled in October allow users to share their location in real time across numerous platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook messenger and Line.
Innovation: Best Travel App Shortlist
Airbnb
The online marketplace for accommodation – and now travel experiences – was a true disruptor in the hospitality industry when it launched a decade ago, allowing people to rent each other’s homes on their travels, as an alternative to hotels and serviced apartments.
Birdie
Another traveller-friendly technology that disrupts telecom companies’ expensive roaming data prices by allowing travellers to stay connected to their all important emails and Instagram feeds using a data sim card that works in over 50 countries and regions.
Google Trips
Google Trips is a handy pocket tour guide with suggested itineraries for traveller that can be easily altered. It also keeps all your reservations in one place.
Klook
Offering discounts on tourist-friendly items such as theme park tickets, tours and transportation, Klook can be used in numerous Asian cities and several destinations father afield. Top pick: discounted rides on Hong Kong’s Airport Express.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is the golden ticket of lounge access for travellers without premium airline membership status. The largest independent airport lounge programme in the world, it has over 1,200 lounges on its books.
Skyscanner
The Edinburgh-based travel fare aggregator website and metasearch engine is a whizz at saving you money on flights, hotels and car hire overseas.
Uber
The peer-to-peer ride-hailing app has been revolutionising journeys since 2009, with quick pick-ups, trackable service and cashless payments. The Silicon Valley start-up has also moved into food delivery.
Waygo
This 21st century Babel fish provides instant written translations of Chinese, Japanese and Korean text into English through your smartphone’s camera.
Waze
Free directions, live traffic reports and GPS tracking from community-based Waze helps you avoid traffic jams, accidents and more for an efficient journey.
More 2018 Innovation Award Winners:
Explore all the results of the Marco Polo Club Members’ Choice Awards
