Innovation potential of mobile applications in tourism

The research is aimed at studying opportunity to develop innovation mobile application which could be useful for tourists at each stage of the tip, starting from planning to the post-travel period. At first, the papers devoted to roles and trends of evolution of mobile apps in tourism were briefly analyzed. The analysis revealed intensive growth of the market of mobile apps and highlighted the prospects of their development. However, to be competitive on this market one should find an innovation solution in order to improve the quality of designed products. At the first stage of the research the authors decided to find out the ways the travelers interact with mobile apps and what their demands have not been met yet. The results of survey, they conducted for that scope, allowed making a hypothesis: the market of digital solutions demands a novel mobile application aimed at saving different data about user’s trip experience and forming text or infographic reports. That provides users with the ability to keep data like travel memories for private purposes, either to share their travel experience with other users publishing detailed information somewhere (social networks, status in messengers, blogs, etc.). At the second stage of the research the authors considered the latest technologies of mobile apps implementation. The most promising among them is Telegram Mini Applications (TMA) as it has some evident advantages: enhances access (without loading) for users, low risk of hazards, etc. All that makes it possible to conclude that innovation potential of mobile app for tourists can be realized if it is implemented on the basis of the new technological platform and its functionality brings some value for the users.