Hotel specialist HRS reported that the proportion of 2013 bookings it handled via mobile channels doubled from a year earlier to 12 percent,

adding that it expects rapid growth to continue for the foreseeable future. "We expect that every other booking will be made via mobile devices in three years," according to HRS CEO Tobias Ragge. HRS noted that 75 percent of bookings through smartphones are for the same or next day. Bookings via tablet devices are more likely to be further in advance and for more nights. The company also announced "Mobile Special Tariff," which guarantees a minimum 10 percent discount on rates from participating hotels. HRS said the program will allow hotels "to market residual capacities to business travelers and spontaneous bookers."