The TripBarometer Mobile & Social Survey conducted by Tripadvisor has found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. travelers (61%) report using social media while on vacation. Forty-six percent (46%) of that group—nearly half of the travelers who use social media—cited a fear of missing out on news from their friends and families as a reason for staying connected.TripAdvisor’s TripBarometer survey also found that mobile devices are an essential part of the travel experience for U.S. respondents, and that travelers are nearly twice more likely to use smartphones than tablets during their travels: 85 percent (85%) of American travelers reported using smartphones while on holiday, while just 46 percent (46%) reported using tablets.

The survey results showed that U.S. travelers’ use of social media and mobile devices while on vacation was comparable to the global average for the 22 countries polled. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of global travelers reported using a smartphone while on holiday, compared to 44 percent (44%) who reported using a tablet while on a trip. Sixty-one percent (61%) of global travelers reported using social media on vacation.