Must-pack list now includes pocket Wi-Fi for many tourists

The Internet has become such an integral part of modern life that people want to stay online all the time, even when they are on an exotic vacation. [Photo/IC]

The Internet has become such an integral part of modern life that people want to stay online all the time, even when they are on an exotic vacation.

According to Ctrip.com International Inc, the largest online travel agency in China, the Internet "addiction" of many Chinese outbound tourists means that travel pocket Wi-Fi is a necessity.

In a report released earlier this month, the agency said that compared with very costly mobile Internet roaming services from Chinese telecom operators and the difficulties of using unstable public Wi-Fi facilities overseas, renting a travel pocket Wi-Fi is seen by most Chinese tourists as the obvious solution.

There are no official statistics about the size of the travel pocket Wi-Fi rental market in China. But the combination of a high penetration rate of mobile Internet and a booming outbound travel market is expected to create strong demand for travel pocket Wi-Fi.

About 65 percent of the country's population were mobile Internet users as of the first quarter of this year. The China Tourism Academy has forecast that the number of outbound trips will rise 16 percent this year to 114 million.

Ctrip found that 58 percent of those who use travel pocket Wi-Fi overseas are male. Ctrip itself provides this service, and more than 1 million outbound travelers have used it.

Nearly half of the outbound travel pocket Wi-Fi users are aged 30 to 39. Those aged between 18 and 29 account for 27 percent of all outbound travel pocket Wi-Fi users.

About 90 percent of the travel pocket Wi-Fi users stay in touch with relatives and friends via social networking applications.

"It is important to have Wi-Fi connection when you're abroad, otherwise how can I post photos and share my feelings with relatives and friends in China?" said Du Ni, 26, who chose to celebrate her graduation from a graduate school in China in Europe.

Du said pocket Wi-Fi is very convenient. "You can get online as soon as you arrive overseas, or use it to pass the time while waiting in line at tourism attractions," she said.

Renting a pocket Wi-Fi that can be used in Europe is about 40 yuan ($6.44) per day, but Du said it is worth it.

The Ctrip report showed that the top three destinations where Chinese outbound travelers rent pocket Wi-Fi are Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Daily rentals are 15 yuan to 25 yuan for most Asian destinations.