Online travel site TripAdvisor is adding new cities to its line of guide applications to help consumers discover the best attractions, events and places while traveling.

In addition to the addition of new cities, TripAdvisor has also updated the Android app to include transportation, maps and more recommended items. The app is available for free download from Google Play or Apple?s App Store.

?As the world's biggest travel site, TripAdvisor is always thinking globally,? said Sanjay Vakil, director of mobile at TripAdvisor, Palo Alto, CA.

?For our City Guides product, we've identified many of the top destinations and have created offline packages,? he said.

?These packages let our members interact with millions of opinions without worrying about connectivity or roaming fees.?

Improved travel
Previously, TripAdvisor?s Offline City Guides app was available for twenty cities.

Cities that have been added include Austin, Bangkok, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

With the update, users can view subway and public transportation information to help them navigate around cities. The feature also works while offline.

Additionally, TripAdvisor has put bundled activities in each city as recommendations for things to do. Including recommended content helps create a customized experience for users, which is especially helpful with a travel app.

Users can also create and customize their own maps in each city. Users can save destinations, restaurants and attractions that they are interested in.

Consumers can also view reviews and opinions about places inside the app.

?While we continue to see dramatic growth in the number of smartphones visiting our site, we have also anecdotally noticed a trend around how travelers are connecting their desktop and mobile device,? Mr. Vakil said.

?Many TripAdvisor members prefer to research on the desktop and save trip ideas, so they can access them later on their mobile devices or tablets while traveling,? he said.

Mobile travels
Nowadays, consumers are relying on their mobile devices for all parts of planning a trip ? from research to booking hotels and flights.

However, often mobile users are not making travel plans until they arrive in a city.

With an all-in-one app such as TripAdvisor's app, it serves as a resource to consumers.

Additionally, TripAdvisor is known for its emphasis on user-generated content, which users trust and depend on.

?Mobile plays a critical role during much of the trip planning and travel lifecycle, and as a result, we are continually focused on enhancing our mobile offering,? Mr. Vakil said.

?We will continue to test new ways that seamlessly tie together the experiences on our multiple mobile apps, our tablet and on the desktop to help members more effectively before and during travel,? he said.

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York