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Phocuswright Europe moves to Barcelona’s Palau de Congressos de Catalunya for 2025
Representative Image Phocuswright announced a major evolution for its flagship European conference. Phocuswright Europe 2025 will take place from June 10-12, 2025, at the prestigious Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. This strategic move to a larger, more modern venue marks a significant upgrade for the event and reinforces Phocuswright's position as the premier curator of cutting-edge content and experiences in the travel industry. In 2024, more than 600 people attended the European event. Under the theme "The New Age(nts)," Phocuswright Europe 2025 will explore the transformative forces reshaping the travel landscape. The conference will delve into a new era for travel, examining the evolving roles of intermediaries, the impact of emerging technologies, and the changing expectations of travelers in this dynamic landscape. "Our move to the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya is a game-changer for Phocuswright Europe," said Pete Comeau, Managing Director of Phocuswright. "This world-class venue provides the perfect platform to elevate the event to new heights. It's more than just a bigger space; it's about creating a more immersive, dynamic, and impactful experience that reflects Phocuswright's commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of travel. This move signals a bold new chapter for Phocuswright, and we're confident that the 2025 event will be our most influential yet. It allows us to set the stage for the travel industry's future." The Palau de Congressos de Catalunya offers several key advantages that will enhance the Phocuswright Europe experience: Increased capacity: The larger venue allows for greater attendance, bringing together a more diverse and influential audience of travel leaders. State-of-the-art facilities: The Palau's modern facilities will enable more interactive session formats, cutting-edge technology demonstrations, and enhanced networking opportunities. Enhanced networking: Real exchange with meaningful relationships. First-class location: Situated in one of Barcelona's most prestigious areas, the venue provides a sophisticated and inspiring setting for the conference. Immersive experiences: Opportunities to shape their professional journeys. Inspiration and insights: A focus on not just addressing current trends but anticipating future shifts. Full carbon offset: A commitment to sustainability, offsetting the carbon footprint of the entire event, including attendee travel and emissions. Speakers and a full agenda are expected to be announced shortly. Registration for Phocuswright Europe 2025 is now open. Early bird pricing starts at €1095.
62% of travellers who planned trips on social media made purchase decisions based on content they viewed: Phocuswright
Representative Image Madeline List, Manager of Research and Special Projects at Phocuswright, presented key findings from the firm's latest consumer research study, "Scroll, Heart, Fly: Social Media's Impact on Travel 2024." The research delves into how social media influences travel decisions, the nuances of conversion, and the challenges marketers face in measuring its true impact. List highlighted the growing prevalence of social media usage in travel planning, with 57% of US leisure travelers utilizing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for inspiration, research, and sharing. She emphasized the importance of understanding the "mindful, intentional consumers" who plan trips over extended periods, differentiating travel from more impulsive industries like fashion and beauty. List added: "Travel decisions are made with such a long conversion window, there's so much room for people to get lost remembering where they originally got inspiration from as they plan trips over a span of months, sometimes even years." The research revealed that 62% of travelers who planned trips on social media made purchase or visitation decisions based on content they viewed. Food and beverage, cruises, accommodations, and destination selection were among the top categories influenced by social media. Notably, 72% of those who converted attributed their decisions to content from creators, influencers, or bloggers. List emphasized the importance of credibility and community building on social media, stating that "portraying things honestly and building real social relationships among followers is going to precede any kind of sale that happens." The research also uncovered challenges in measuring the true impact of social media on travel decisions. List noted that many conversions are "categorical," meaning travelers choose a type of experience rather than a specific brand. Additionally, click-through rates provide a limited view of influence, as travelers often turn to search engines and review sites for further research. List cautioned against conflating likes and shares with actual influence, urging marketers to focus on depicting accessible experiences and providing valuable information to support trip planning. She also highlighted the need to cater to the "mid-tier" traveler, who may feel underrepresented amidst an abundance of luxury and budget travel content. Key Takeaways: Social media plays a significant role in influencing travel decisions, particularly for younger generations and those seeking inspiration and recommendations. Credibility, community building, and authentic content are crucial for driving conversions on social media. Measuring the true impact of social media requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond click-through rates and considers categorical conversions. Marketers should focus on providing valuable information, depicting accessible experiences, and catering to the needs of the mid-tier traveler. Social media should be viewed as one component of a broader digital strategy, not the sole driver of conversions.
Phocuswright Conference took place from 18-20 November 2025 at San Diego, California
Photo by Tavit's Photography The Phocuswright Conference kicked off its 30th anniversary with a nostalgic look back at 1994, the year the travel industry event first launched. Managing Director Pete Comeau and Senior Vice President of Content Mitra Sorrells took to the main stage, highlighting key moments in pop culture and travel tech from that era, including the rise of Netscape Navigator and the first online hotel catalogs. The duo emphasized the enduring challenges of the travel industry, noting that concerns around customer acquisition, competition, and rising technology costs remain as relevant today as they were in 1994. However, the industry has seen incredible growth, with the global travel market now exceeding pre-pandemic levels and online bookings predicted to account for two-thirds of all travel transactions by 2026. This year's conference theme, "The New Agents," focuses on the disruption of travel distribution by new players and paradigms, particularly artificial intelligence. Comeau and Sorrells highlighted the increasing influence of AI and social media on the customer journey, with Phocuswright's own research indicating that 62% of travelers using social media for trip planning made purchasing decisions based on content viewed on those platforms. With over 1,500 attendees from 40 countries, the Phocuswright Conference continues to be a vital hub for networking, learning, and strategic partnerships within the travel industry. Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin charts a course for AI-powered travel Expedia Group is actively exploring and implementing AI across its business Innovation and platform enhancements remain a priority Gorin is optimistic about the future of travel Encourages young women in travel to “blaze their own trail” Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin took center stage at the Phocuswright Conference, discussing the company's embrace of artificial intelligence, its evolving B2B strategy, and the future of travel in an interview with Mitra Sorrells, Senior Vice President of Content at Phocuswright. "AI is going to be everywhere,” she said, “and we need to test it everywhere. Some of the things will work. Some won't work." Gorin emphasized Expedia Group's commitment to testing AI across all facets of its operations, from customer service and product development to marketing and partner support. But, while acknowledging the potential of autonomous agents, she highlighted the continued importance of human expertise in providing travelers with confidence and support throughout their journey. The conversation explored Expedia Group's B2B partnerships, including its work with travel agencies and credit card portals. Gorin stressed the value of these partnerships in expanding reach and driving innovation, even as the company continues to invest in its own brands. She addressed concerns about competition from credit card travel portals, stating that Expedia Group aims to be a key player in the evolving landscape of travel distribution, regardless of the platform travelers choose. Photo by Tavit's Photography Gorin also discussed the company's recent initiatives, including the launch of Travel Shops, which allow influencers and brands to curate travel experiences within the Expedia app, and the integration of VRBO listings onto Expedia's platform to diversify inventory and attract new audiences. She acknowledged the challenges of platform migration and emphasized the company's focus on delivering a seamless experience for both travelers and partners. Addressing the recent rumors of a potential acquisition by Uber, Gorin declined to comment, but expressed her belief that consolidation in the travel industry is not necessarily detrimental to consumers, who continue to have a wide range of choices. Reflecting on her first six months as CEO, Gorin highlighted the importance of prioritizing her time and focusing on areas where she can have the greatest impact. She expressed enthusiasm for the future of the travel industry and encouraged aspiring young women to "Blaze your own trail. Trust your instinct, surround yourself with good people and have fun." Groundbreaking collaboration: Uber, Eurostar, and Omio Tackle the future of ground transport "The connected journey is very hard operationally...[but] it is solvable." – Jennifer Shepard A panel of ground transport leaders discussed the evolving landscape of travel beyond air, focusing on customer needs, emerging trends, and the challenges of achieving seamless intermodal journeys. The panel featured Jennifer Shepard, Global Head of Uber Transit; Francois Ledoux, Chief Commercial Officer of Eurostar; and Veronica De Cuatro, President of B2C Europe at Omio, with Phocuswright Senior Research Analyst Robert Cole moderating. The panelists agreed that travelers are increasingly seeking control, transparency, and convenience in their journeys. They demand access to comprehensive information, diverse options, and personalized experiences that cater to their individual needs and preferences. This shift in traveler behavior is driving the adoption of ground transport alternatives, particularly for shorter distances, as evidenced by the growing popularity of rail travel between major European cities. The discussion highlighted successful collaborations, such as the partnership between KLM and Eurostar to replace short-haul flights with rail journeys, and Omio's integration of various ground transport modes onto a single platform. Uber's efforts to reduce personal car ownership by partnering with public transit agencies and incorporating diverse modes, including rail and car rentals, into its app were also emphasized. Despite progress, the panelists acknowledged significant friction points. Maintaining customer support and communication during disruptions, particularly in complex, multi-modal journeys, remains a challenge. Operational hurdles in coordinating real-time information and ensuring smooth transfers between different modes require further attention. Additionally, the panelists stressed the need for standardization, data sharing, and a long-term vision to overcome these challenges and accelerate innovation, as well as the importance of a competitive industry: "Competition is actually good for the industry...and for the customer, ultimately,” said Veronica De Cuatro. “If you’re working for a company that says AI won’t matter – find another job”, says top investor Travel industry veteran and investor Eric Blatchford sat down with Chris Hemmeter, Managing Partner at Thayer Investment Partners, at the Phocuswright Conference for a wide-ranging discussion on his career journey, the transformative power of AI, and the urgent need for climate action. Blatchford, founder of Pi Five Partners, traced his unconventional path from a theater major and bike tour guide to becoming the first business hire at Expedia. He likened the current excitement around AI to the early days of the internet, emphasizing the importance of embracing change and adapting to new technologies. He predicted that AI will revolutionize the travel tech stack, necessitating a complete revamp of existing systems and creating opportunities for innovative solutions in inventory management and yield management. "This new world where everybody's represented by agents is going to be the catalyst for a complete revamping of the travel tech stack, all the way right down to the PMS to the GDS level,” he said. The conversation shifted to climate change, a topic Blatchford is deeply passionate about. He expressed concern that the urgency of climate action has been overshadowed by the hype surrounding AI, but remained hopeful that AI could play a role in modeling climate systems and developing solutions. Blatchford stressed the importance of connecting with the natural world and advocated for travel closer to home and more sustainable modes of transportation. Although, among his worries: "I do worry that the travel industry is going to find that certain destinations, because of where they are, are going to become out of bounds to certain kinds of travelers." As an investor, Blatchford shared his insights on navigating the uncertain landscape of AI and what he looks for in early-stage startups. He emphasized the need for experimentation, flexibility, and a willingness to pivot in response to rapid technological advancements. He also highlighted the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and fostering a culture that encourages risk-taking and learning from both successes and failures.
True automated AI in travel is coming: Phocuswright
The travel industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, driven by the rise of autonomous AI agents, according to a new report from Phocuswright. These intelligent assistants, capable of learning, adapting, and executing tasks without constant human supervision, have the potential to revolutionize how we plan, book, and experience travel. In its report, "True Automated AI in Travel Is Coming," Phocuswright, the leading travel industry research authority, delves into the emergence of autonomous agents and their implications for the future of travel. The report explores the capabilities of these agents, the potential impact on various industry roles, and the key questions surrounding their adoption and regulation. "Autonomous AI agents are poised to reshape the travel landscape, automating tasks, personalizing experiences, and potentially even negotiating on our behalf," said Norm Rose, Senior Technology and Corporate Market Analyst at Phocuswright and co-author of the report. "While this technology is still in its early stages, its potential to transform the industry is undeniable. Travel companies need to understand the implications of autonomous agents and prepare for a future where AI plays an increasingly central role." Key takeaways from the report include: Increased efficiency and personalization: Autonomous agents can truly automate the travel booking process, potentially replacing the manual research and booking tasks that travelers currently perform, leading to increased efficiency and personalization. Challenges for legacy systems: The increased volume of shopping inquiries generated by autonomous agents could pose challenges for legacy travel systems, requiring the industry to adapt and optimize infrastructure. The report estimates that autonomous agents could increase the number of shopping calls to travel systems by up to 40%. Enhanced personalization: Personalization efforts will be enhanced by autonomous agents, leveraging vast amounts of data to tailor travel recommendations and experiences to individual preferences. Ownership and competition: The question of "ownership" of autonomous agents remains open, with tech giants, OTAs, and specialized travel companies all vying for a position in this emerging market. Impact on the workforce: The impact on the travel workforce could be significant, with some jobs potentially being replaced by AI while others are augmented and enhanced. The report suggests that up to 30% of travel agent jobs could be automated by AI agents in the next decade. Legal and regulatory concerns: Legal and regulatory concerns surrounding autonomous agents, particularly regarding liability and data privacy, will need to be addressed as the technology matures. The rise of autonomous agents and other key trends in AI will be further explored at The Phocuswright Conference, taking place November 19-21, 2024, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The session "A glimpse of the new Age(nts)" will delve deeper into where leading AI companies can demonstrate their autonomous agent technology and discuss its potential to transform the travel industry. Industry experts will provide critical analysis and insights based on their experience at the forefront of AI in travel. Speakers: Div Garg, Co-Founder and CEO, MultiOn Humayun Sheikh, CEO, Fetch.ai Talkbackers: Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer, Sojern; Terry Jones, Chairman, AMGiNE Moderator: Norman Rose, Senior Technology and Corporate Market Analyst, Phocuswright Inc.
Global travel industry reaches USD 1.5 trillion in 2023: Phocuswright
Representative Image The global travel industry is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with Phocuswright's latest Global Travel Market Report 2024 revealing a 24% surge in 2023, reaching an impressive $1.5 trillion in gross bookings. While established powerhouses like North America, APAC, and Western Europe continue to lead, the report uncovers a dynamic landscape marked by shifting rankings within the top 15 markets, the emergence of new players, and a notable rebound in China. The US retains its position as the world's largest travel market, commanding $476 billion in bookings, more than three times the size of China, which holds the second spot. China's travel market, however, demonstrated significant resilience, rebounding with a 72% growth in 2023. The report also spotlights Brazil's entry into the top 15 markets, displacing Scandinavia. Further context on these findings will be covered at The Phocuswright Conference, which takes place from November 19-21 in Phoenix, Arizona. “The travel industry’s current trajectory is not simply a recovery; it's a testament to the industry’s adaptability and the enduring human desire to explore,” said Eugene Ko, Director of Marketing and Communications at Phocuswright. “The impressive growth in emerging markets like Brazil and the resurgence of China signal a shift in the global travel landscape. The industry is evolving, and those who embrace these new dynamics will thrive in the years to come.” The report also delves into the complexities of individual markets within the top 15. The UAE, occupying seventh position, accounts for over half of the Middle East's travel market. Russia's growth has been tempered by geopolitical challenges, leading to a drop in its ranking. Meanwhile, the euro's gain against the US dollar fueled significant growth in several European markets. Spain led with a 40% surge, followed by double-digit gains in Italy, Germany, the UK and France. Key takeaways: Global travel market reached $1.5 trillion in 2023, a 24% increase North America, APAC, and Western Europe continue to lead The U.S. remains the largest market, with China showing significant growth Brazil enters the top 15 markets, displacing Scandinavia The euro's strength boosted growth in several European markets, including Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK and France The industry is evolving, with shifting dynamics and new opportunities within the top 15 markets These findings and more will take center stage at The Phocuswright Conference. Themed "The New Age(nts)," the conference will feature insightful keynotes, interactive panel discussions, and in-depth breakout sessions exploring the evolving roles and relationships within the travel ecosystem. With an expected attendance of over 1,300 senior-level executives, innovators, and thought leaders, this event provides an unparalleled opportunity to gain crucial insights for navigating the industry’s transformation.
Aviasales reports surge in travel from Central Asia to GCC at Phocuswright WiT Middle East 2024
Representative Image Aviasales, the metasearch travel platform, presented compelling data at the recent Phocuswright WiT Middle East 2024 conference showing a significant increase in travel activity between Central Asian states and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This increase highlights growing economic and cultural ties between the two regions and aligns with strategic policy enhancements and tourism growth. In 2023, travel searches for Middle East & North African (MENA) destinations from Central Asian countries increased by 61%, with bookings up 45% year-on-year, according to data from the Aviasales platform – when compared with data from 2022. Uzbekistan: searches up 83%, bookings up 50%, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accounting for 86% of this activity. Kazakhstan: searches rose by 24%, bookings by 36%, with 91% going to the UAE. Kyrgyzstan: searches increased by 146%, bookings by 72%, with 87% going to the UAE. Furthermore, Aviasales highlighted at the conference that the upcoming 'Arab Schengen' programme will further boost these interactions by allowing 30-day visa-free stays in the Gulf countries. For example, since February 2024 Uzbek citizens have already been allowed to visit the UAE without a visa, which is likely to increase the frequency of travel this year. Meanwhile the recent introduction of new air routes, such as Jazeera Airways' Al Kuwait-Fergana service and the doubling of Qatar Airways' flights between Doha and Almaty, are key to boosting business and tourism links. At a diplomacy level the GCC-Central Asia Dialogue has underlined the commitment to reinvigorate economic and investment ties, with a focus on infrastructure, tourism and energy. With the GCC expected to outperform global economic trends through diversification, the outlook for 2024 and beyond remains promising. Anton Baitsur, CEO of Aviasales commented: "These very encouraging figures not only reflects an important trend likely to continue but underlines our key role at Aviasales as the leading online player in Central Asia and fostering these growing ties. We strongly recommend that GCC based hotels, airlines, tour operators and incoming businesses develop more services aimed at Central Asian audiences and consider focusing sales and marketing efforts on the source market."
“People don’t act as greenly as they say they will” Phocuswright reveals how to close the sustainability say-do gap
Madeline List, Phocuswright’s senior research analyst, kicked off the day by revealing results from the research authority’s latest sustainability report. The survey, which targeted thousands of travelers from across the US and Europe, revealed a considerable gap between what people say and what they do when it comes to sustainability: “People are more likely to follow through on what they say if they will directly feel the burn from not doing so,” said List. “For example, around half would rather stay somewhere less famous and less crowded – and many people actually follow through on this, as they are more directly affected by not doing so. With environmental decisions, people care, but they do not directly feel the consequences of not following through on sustainable choices.” “Likewise, travelers want their money to benefit the communities they visit. But when asked if they ever checked to see if what they bought was locally sourced, only 1 in 4 said they did. Emotionally, people care, but they're not taking the practical steps needed make those decisions.” Travelers find sustainability confusing Do travelers know what it actually means to travel sustainably? The majority of respondents said that they find the standards for environmentally conscious travel confusing – and the ones that are sustainability-orientated already are the ones that are more confused than the people that don’t care. 19%-26% also believe that they don’t travel frequently enough to have a significant impact on the environment. Event those that take two trips a year don’t think they have much of an impact… but they are a sizeable part of travel. Travelers were split over who should take responsibility for sustainability – many believe it’s the role of government, whereas others think it’s travel providers, destination organizations, or travelers themselves. Travelers think it should be the responsibility of destination organizations to keep tourism money within the local community, which would explain why they’re not asking where their money goes after they spend it. 36%-47% of travelers also think sustainable travel options are more expensive. And the more someone think about sustainability at home, the more likely they are to believe it presents more expensive travel options. 10-15% more was the accepted premium people said they would pay for greener travel. “I don’t think this belief-behavior gap is coming from a bad place,” said List. “They want to believe that they will make the right decision, but it’s important [for travel providers] to understand that this is not always the reality.” List finished by giving her practical suggestions for the travel industry: Increase sustainable options– make them more available and viable to begin with – they have to be appealing to travlers as a whole, and shouldn’t just be about sustainability Green options need to be easy to find and prominent Show that sustainable is accessible and affordable– push sustainable options at various price points Help travelers understand that sustainability goes beyond the environment– it extends to many other areas too Educate, educate, educate– inspire travelers to aspire for collective change; speak to the why not just the what, build understanding from the ground up
11 companies to be part of this year’s ‘Innovation: Launch’ at The Phocuswright Conference
As The Phocuswright Conference prepares to kick off, Phocuswright, the global travel industry research authority and producer of the annual event, has revealed which companies are about to unveil their ground-breaking tech innovations at its Innovation: Launch competition. Innovation: Launch, which will take place at The Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale on November 14, highlights new concepts, technologies and business models entering the scene. This year’s conference, themed You, Me & the Machine, will explore the massive possibilities for AI in the travel space – so many of this year’s innovations are expected to focus on this. At Innovation: Launch, companies ready to unveil new, breakthrough and market-changing innovation will present it live onstage to more than 1,300 attendees. At this year’s competition, VisaHQ, TourReview, Mobi, BabyQuip, Justt, Ramp, Weeva, Terrapay, rePUSHTI by Qtech Software, Connexpay and TripFusion by Vacayou are expected to unveil new innovations. “Phocuswright is thrilled to bring another amazing group of companies to our Launch stage that are shaping the future of travel,” said Mike Coletta, manager, research and innovation, Phocuswright. “From improving sustainability efforts and customer satisfaction, to reducing fraud and operational inefficiencies, to streamlining payment and distribution infrastructure, this group is directly addressing many of today’s industry pain points.” This year’s Innovators will compete to win one of two awards – the Travel Innovation Award, which will be decided by an expert panel, and the People’s Choice Award, which will be decided by audience voting. “Each year, attendees are eager to see the latest innovations and the most forward-thinking companies in the industry,” said Eugene Ko, director, marketing and communications, Phocuswright. “At Phocuswright, we make it our mission to not only showcase these companies, but to also make them available for the audience to network with. This type of connection helps solve industry problems, create new partnerships and move the industry forward, together.” Innovation: Launch is Phocuswright’s platform for companies of any age that are changing the travel landscape. Launch provides companies that are ready to unveil a groundbreaking innovation with a spot in the limelight and a chance to wow the travel industry's most savvy and engaged audience during The Phocuswright Conference.
More outsiders are entering the OTA space – according to research from Phocuswright
An increasing number of companies from outside of travel are entering the online travel agency (OTA) space, according to Phocuswright, the leading travel industry research and events authority. This comes ahead of the 2023 Phocuswright Conference, which will be themed around what recent powerful advances in technology could mean for the future of the industry – and how travel businesses must adapt to remain relevant. Although outside players are plugging into online travel companies’ platforms, it is mainly the OTAs that will reap the rewards of this trend, according to Phocuswright: “Historically it was travel suppliers who partnered with the OTAs in a bid to supplement their core products,” said Lorraine Sileo, senior analyst, at Phocuswright. “However, non-travel brands, such as financial institutions, retailers and loyalty clubs, are now partnering with OTAs to sell travel. “These companies now really want to get into the travel business – and technology is enabling them to do so. Over the past two years, several have launched travel booking platforms or announced ambitious plans to do so, even though the online travel agency market is already near saturation and uber competitive. The goal for these companies is not to gain substantial revenue directly from travel, but to keep their customers coming back, for example by encouraging card usage and giving customers more ways to earn or redeem loyalty points. But, for the OTAs, these partnerships can be directly profitable.” This trend is set to benefit the big brands in the OTA space, as many “outside” companies will simply be tapping into their various plug-and-play models without needing much experience or expertise in the travel sector. Here are three companies in the finance space that are now tapping into OTAs to drive loyalty and offer customers new experiences: Citi – In March 2023 Citi officially launched Citi Travel with Booking.com, which is powered by Rocket Travel using Agoda’s technology. Citi ThankYou cardmembers can access inventory on the bank’s website or app and have the option to pay for travel with their Citi credit card, ThankYou Points, or a combination of the two. Personal finance – Capital One: Many financial institutions are also attracted to the prospect of engaging customers early in the travel process. Capital One entered the booking fray in September 2021 by using Hopper Cloud to power its booking platform for travel rewards customers. JPMorgan Chase:The most ambitious financial institution as it relates to travel is JPMorgan Chase & Co., which plans to operate its own OTA platform in lieu of using a private-label offering. Chase already has co-branded credit card relationships with airlines including Southwest, United, Aer Lingus and British Airways, along with hotels such as IHG, Marriott, Hyatt and Disney. In its quest to build an end-to-end travel solution, the company made two important acquisitions: proprietary travel platform cxLoyalty in 2021, and mega leisure and corporate travel agency FROSCH in 2022. “Considering the proliferation of plug-and-play platforms, white-label offerings and API integrations, it’s no wonder that becoming an OTA is hard to resist for finance companies,” added Sileo. “The advantages for banks, rewards programs, retailers and other membership organizations to offer additional value with little upfront cost are obvious. And we anticipate more offerings to launch in the coming months and years – particularly as AI advances and opens new possibilities.” This year’s Phocuswright Conference, titled ‘You, Me & the Machine’, will be held from November 13-16 at the The Diplomat Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and will center around the massive implications of artificial intelligence for every aspect of travel – including how generative AI is infiltrating the traveler trip, and the early results travel leaders are seeing between AI and the travel journey.
Phocuswright Conference releases full 2023 program
Phocuswright, the leading travel industry research and events authority, has released its full 2023 program for The Phocuswright Conference, which will be held November 13-16 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Phocuswright recently announced the conference theme, ‘You, Me & the Machine’, centered around the massive implications of artificial intelligence for every aspect of travel. As travel stands on the cusp of massive change, The Phocuswright Conference program is designed to feature industry executives focused on the strategies that this unique moment demands. Session topics will include: Global CEOs leveraging leading brands The future of the funnel AI exploits and explanations Self-sovereign identity’s impact An evolving lodging experience Perfecting the journey The stubbornly fragmented experiences market Winning over the marketplace with fintech Maintaining momentum amid market uncertainty Addressing immense climate challenges Cyclical challenges and competitive pressures corporate travel The intersection of finance, investment, M&A, IPOs The building momentum around personalization and merchandising in air Funding innovation in the age of AI and balancing it with investing in the basics And much more A signature feature and major focus of the program is the opportunity for highly targeted small group networking for all sectors and decision-makers in the travel industry. “Phocuswright is laser-focused on providing opportunities for real exchange and creating relationships that will help raise the bar for the entire industry” said Phocuswright’s managing director Pete Comeau. “Through programs like Industry Roundtables, Startup Program, Young Leaders Summit, educational breakouts and even daily yoga and exercise sessions led by a coach, we hope to bring like-minded travel leaders together to bond and create connections over the topics that are most relevant to them.” “It’s all about igniting solutions and collaboration, especially at a time when cutting-edge innovation has spurred a rethink of our products, services and processes” said Walter Buschta, vice president of marketing at Phocuswright. “The Phocuswright Conference will continue to be the event that travel leaders can depend on for finding the brightest ideas and most rewarding partnerships. This year, we’re elevating the culture of connection with a build-your-ideal-program approach – there's really something to gain for every attendee.” As the theme insists, ‘You, Me and the Machine are colliding fast’, and the 2023 conference program hopes to answer whether this will become a tussle or an embrace. Delegates that register by September 29 will save $300 on the standard registration price.
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