New research from  network solutions company Brocade reveals that  95% of European holidaymakers pack at least one Internet-enabled device in their luggage – and half demand daily access regardless of their location.

The research shows that people are increasingly unwilling to “switch off” from email, whether it’s work or personal, or stop using online entertainment and social media sites while they are on holiday.

In fact, more than 40% of those quizzed actually search for destinations where they know they can get online – placing a significant amount of pressure on hotels and other tourism service providers to offer coverage even in remote corners of the world.

“The findings just go to show that in 2011, we are hugely connected, no matter what we are doing, and we fully expect to be able to get online from anywhere in the world,” said John McHugh, vice president and chief marketing officer at Brocade. “With nearly half of the people we spoke to relying on connectivity to stream audio or video files while on holiday to enhance their relaxation time, businesses need to consider what the modern traveller wants. Whether it’s a hotel or beach bar, failure to deliver online services could not only damage brand equity but also jeopardise the bottom line.”

A quarter of respondents said they have accessed content from the beach, and some four percent have even managed to log on from the jungle.

In Europe internet penetration far exceeds the global average (67% versus 27%), and the number of internet users has grown almost 260% since 2000. With growing demand for access to internet content anywhere, any time, the use of mobile devices has also increased dramatically in recent years.

Brocade’s research reveals that a typical holidaymaker packs at least one mobile device to take on holiday, such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Most use them to stay in touch with friends and family back home, with 40% admitting they just can’t do without access to their social media networks. Meanwhile, despite being on holiday a third of respondents use their devices for work, particularly checking emails and being in contact with colleagues and customers, even though 60% admit that this occasionally causes friction with other members of their family or holiday party.