Travel connectivity

Abstract

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) devices has been recognised as a significant component of travel experiences. However, the portrayal of internet connectivity as a binary entity within literature has overlooked the significant experiential breadth that exists within the state of being connected. Drawing on the contexts of roaming and the digital divide, this article demonstrates the variable and dynamic nature of connectivity on a worldwide basis, thus highlighting the variety of states of connectivity which may be encountered by tourists. Research was conducted using an autoethnographic methodology employed during a 3-month period of multi-country fieldwork. As its research findings, the article first defines travel connectivity and presents a travel connectivity typology featuring four principal modes based on network quality and range. Second, impacts of each mode of connectivity upon the travel experience are discussed.