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A different type of sustainability research
December 2023Travelers often have good intentions, but they lack an understanding of how to travel sustainably, and sustainability considerations rarely impact their trip decisions. Knowledge of travelers' awareness of the issues, motivations to travel sustainably, travel behaviors and how much responsibility they are willing to take for the health of the destinations they visit is crucial for the industry as it...
This is the state of travel funding in 2023
November 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Inside the Machine: The Phocuswright Conference 2023 Focuses on What Could Be
November 2023The travel industry has never been one to rest on its laurels and this year was no exception. While the current travel environment remains positive, if not tenuous considering ongoing conflicts around the world, there is still much work to be done.
Two must-see research presentations: Sustainability dissonance and the state of travel funding
November 2023At last week’s Phocuswright Conference, Phocuswright analysts presented research from two of our newest reports on the gap between belief vs. behavior on sustainability and the current state of travel funding. These must-see sessions are now available.
Travel rewards vs. loyalty – what’s the difference?
November 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Will these 5 U.S. consumer trends continue into 2024?
November 2023The U.S. traveler population surged to its highest point ever in 2022, driven by strong travel incidence. Among age groups, travel incidence recovered most strongly among those over 45 years old, with both spend and frequency improving according to Phocuswright’s latest travel research report.
Evolving fintech in super apps
October 2023The concept of the super app originated in Asia, but a growing number of Western companies aim to emulate these all-in-one mobile powerhouses. Super apps integrate high-usage services like transportation, messaging or payments with other functionalities, so that users return to the apps constantly – an aspect that appeals greatly to the travel industry. For Western travel industry players,...
Looking ahead in the Latin America travel market
October 2023Latin America’s travel market experienced a second year of strong double-digit growth in 2022, as gross bookings climbed 37% to $48.2 billion, largely driven by domestic and intra-regional travel. While travel interest remains high, the region remains beleaguered by economic crises. As a mobile-first market, Latin America is positioned to see higher online penetration in several segments. While some...
Take this quiz about the German traveler
October 2023Think you know the average German traveler? Take this quiz to find out.
LCCs capture increased share of growing market in ANZ region
October 2023Gross bookings for the Australia-New Zealand travel market grew 69% to $26.1 billion in 2022, driven by the reignition of international travel following relaxation of COVID-era travel restrictions. While travel gross bookings are not anticipated to surpass 2019 totals until 2025 due to rising costs and supply chain concerns, recovery is quite strong in some segments. Specifically in the air segment,...
Profile of the French traveler
September 2023Travelers in France are still value travel spend highly. Despite economic challenges, travel and tourism remain a high priority purchase. Here’s a profile of the French traveler, highlighting how advance they book, who they're traveling with and if they’re working on their travels.
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. OTA market
September 2023The U.S. hotel & lodging market did not just recover in 2022, it prospered. High demand lifted average daily rates (ADR) and occupancy, leading to a record-breaking year as room revenue swept past pre-pandemic highs according to new Phocuswright research.
Mobile-first bodes well for supplier-direct in LATAM
September 2023Latin America’s travel market experienced a second year of strong double-digit growth in 2022, as gross bookings climbed 37% to $48.2 billion, largely driven by domestic and intra-regional travel. While travel interest remains high, the region remains beleaguered by economic crises. As a mobile-first market, Latin America is positioned to see higher online penetration in several segments. While some...
Key barometers of Chinese travel and its emerging behavioral and spending patterns
September 2023In China, the future looks promising, and 2023 and onward are projected to feature robust growth. While travel gross bookings are not anticipated to surpass 2019 totals until 2024, recovery and rebuilding are underway, thanks to nimble suppliers and intermediaries, and consumers’ passion for both domestic and international travel.
Travel (once again) tops the list of spending priorities in the U.K.
August 2023In the U.K., despite challenging market conditions, travel and tourism remain a high priority purchase for consumers. In fact, travel incidence has exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the British market.
Are dynamic bundles personalization?
August 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
U.S. online channel share expected to remain unchanged through 2026
August 2023Changing traveler behavior from 2020-2022 has brought about several noteworthy shifts, some of which are expected to endure for a considerable period, particularly related to travel distribution. Online supplier-direct channels' share of the total travel market grew from 34% in 2019 to 41% in 2022. Focused marketing efforts by OTAs, in conjunction with an overarching shift toward online channels...
The colossal potential of lower-tier cities in China
August 2023Chinese cities are grouped in tiers depending on their size, population and economic output. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are the four established first-tier cities. In 2018, 15 new first-tier cities were designated, including Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi'an and Qingdao. Then there are over 30 fast-developing second-tier cities. The next level of lower tier cities is where brands, retailers,...
Mobile remains one of the biggest strategic focus areas for OTAs
August 2023While OTAs like Hopper and HotelTonight have always been app-first or app-only, mobile was just one part of the puzzle for the larger OTAs. But several factors, among them reducing their marketing spend and their reliance on Google, along with their need to acquire first-party data, have made direct customer interaction via their own sites and apps increasingly important. Both Expedia and Booking...
7 key takeaways from the latest U.S. travel market research
July 2023All segments in the U.S. travel market registered double-digit revenue increases in 2022. Despite the numerous challenges faced, the industry began 2023 with a solid foundation, showcasing resilient fundamentals that are poised to sustain its healthy growth trajectory in the coming years. Here are 7 key takeaways from each segment in the U.S. travel market.
The U.S. is the first major travel market to surpass 2019 size
July 2023With pandemic-related concerns in the rearview, the U.S. travel market continued its robust bounce back in 2022, though recovery varied greatly by segment. Despite real concerns over staffing, supply chain issues and economic hardships, consumers eagerly returned to their favorite leisure activity. As a result, the travel market grew more than 50% year over year, and U.S. gross travel bookings...
Watch now: Travel Innovation and Technology Trends 2023 online event
July 2023An in-depth look at 8 tech and innovation trends that will influence travel significantly in 2023 and beyond, presented by Phocuswright analysts. Watch the online event now.
Super apps’ secret sauce
July 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
There's a real-time revolution happening in hotel operations
July 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Navigating the digital wave of cruise tech
June 2023While innovation was in full swing on many ships pre-pandemic, the industry is increasingly advancing technology in a multitude of ways, from online booking to check-in, to enhancing the onboard customer experience and accelerating sustainability efforts.
The vision, current status and challenges eVTOLs face in travel
June 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Phocuswright Europe 2023 Post-Show Report
June 2023“Better than 2019”, Travel Companies Prepare for the Next Big Thing
Generative AI in every stage of consumer travel
June 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
More outsiders enter the OTA market
June 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Dominant domestic French brands drive supplier-direct online sales
May 2023The France travel market burst into recovery mode in 2021 and continued the trend into 2022. High prices and steady demand contributed to the 42% year-over-year growth rate. Nevertheless, economic and political problems – mirroring those seen throughout Europe – will pose challenges that ultimately temper growth. Still, due in part to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the France travel market is...
Under the influence: Social media's role in trip planning
May 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
3 signs that point to a strong European travel market
May 2023In the European travel market, Rebuilding will continue through 2025, when 2019 totals will finally be surpassed, and further growth is finally anticipated. The global return to cross-continental tourism is slated for 2023 and beyond, which will serve as a major recovery factor. Here are 3 signs that point to a strong European travel market.
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. hotel market
May 2023The U.S. hotel & lodging market did not just recover in 2022, it prospered. High demand lifted average daily rates (ADR) and occupancy, leading to a record-breaking year as room revenue swept past pre-pandemic highs according to new Phocuswright research.
Web3 Is Proving Itself in Travel
May 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
5 things to know about the travel experiences market
April 2023Travel experiences remain highly popular, but changing regulation, policy and consumer demands in challenging environments have reshaped the market. Recovery has been highly variable post-pandemic, with a range of factors painting a complex picture for returns to growth. Here are 5 things to know from Phocuswright’s recent travel research report Travel Experiences: Operator and Consumer Trends, part...
Hotel and rail are segments to watch in Spain
April 2023In 2022, the Spain travel market saw the rise of key performance indicators like higher ADR, RevPAR in the lodging sector, growth in revenue for airlines, a boost in rail transportation and a car rental segment exceeding expectation.
U.S. cruise market: "Wave season" (1Q23) projected to be the strongest in three years
April 2023After being knocked out entirely in 2020 and beginning their recovery in 2021, cruise lines regained their footing in 2022. With future sailings fully booked and customers demanding more, the segment is undoubtedly on the upswing. In 2022, cruise gross bookings skyrocketed more than 500% year over year, albeit from a much-diminished base. While some financial concerns remain and may grow, this has...
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Looking ahead: 4 key areas impacting the U.S. air market
April 2023U.S. airlines face business turbulence regularly. Questionable service, too-high fees and delays have long been concerns in the industry, especially over the last several years. Nevertheless, 2022 continued the chaotic return to the skies. In the face of recovery, airline bookings soared 73% year over year, surpassing 2019 gross bookings for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Online...
Beyond greenwashing
March 2023This article is part of a content series that explores some of the most impactful innovation and technology-driven trends that will influence the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.
8 biggest trends in tech and innovation in 1 minute
March 2023Each year, Phocuswright's expert analysts identify the technology and innovation trends that will influence travel significantly in the coming year and beyond. See the 8 biggest trends in 1 minute.
Influencers and Social Commerce in Travel
March 2023A preview of one of Phocuswright's Travel Innovation and Technology Trends 2023: The Future of Social Media, Influencers and Social Commerce in Travel
What will the future of business travel look like?
February 2023What will the future of business travel look like? 5575 Considering all the inhibitors at play, what will the future of business travel look like? Experts are optimistic that it will be much more efficient, personalized and sustainable. As business travel recovers from the turbulence of COVID-19, the n
Optimism abounds for the female-led travel agent channel
February 2023The female-led, leisure-dominant travel agent segment reports an overall increase of 108% in gross bookings over the past 12 months. As online travel penetration in the U.S. has plateaued, travel advisors have carved out their niche in the industry. Personalization - long sought by suppliers - is a keystone of travel advisors due to their understanding of clients' travel needs. Suppliers can benefit...
APAC expected to regain top spot as the world's largest regional travel market by 2025
February 2023The Asia Pacific travel market, the world’s largest regional market pre-pandemic, continues to face significant pandemic-related challenges, though pent-up demand is driving a significant rebound in most countries. Market recovery and developments vary, due to differing government restrictions, traveler sentiment and public health policies.The Asia Pacific travel industry is preparing for a rebound...
Preview: Travel Innovation and Technology Trends 2023
February 2023A preview of the most significant innovation trends in travel technology and distribution for 2023
The tech, companies and manufacturers leading autonomous driving
February 2023Much has been written about the travel industry's concern that large tech companies are becoming gatekeepers to traveler access, and their push toward robotaxi services could be viewed as an effort to expand their digital influence into the mobility sector. Of course, truly autonomous vehicles may have a broader impact on everything from airport transfers to intercity journeys, and even as a...
$11.2B mobile gross bookings projected in NE Asia by 2025
January 2023In Northeast Asia, the mobile share of online gross bookings peaked in 2021 and although this may moderate slightly, an upswing in travel activity will see mobile booking volumes take off. Mobile gross bookings in 2023 will comfortably surpass 2019 levels and a projected $11.2 billion in 2025 would be more than double the 2019 record. The mobile travel realm is especially competitive in South Korea....
5 things to expect in the Southeast Asia travel market by 2025
January 2023After plummeting by nearly 72% in 2020 and another 42% in 2021, 2022 is anticipated to boast a 207% recovery. While strict lockdowns curtailed leisure travel throughout the pandemic, the reopening has proved promising for the region. With promotion of domestic travel and digitization trends, the future of Southeast Asian travel appears to offer many new opportunities. Nevertheless, further recovery...
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The short-, mid- and long-term future of tokenization in travel
January 2023The tokenized future will enable a consumer to put forth their travel requirements and have suppliers bid on the customer's needs in a transparent and immutable record, where hidden costs and compensation is reduced and the true value of the asset can be sold in a seamless digital fashion. This should not only lower costs for suppliers and consumers, but present new business opportunities not yet...
Travel experiences: operator performance, sentiment and challenges
January 2023Despite the challenges of the past few years, operators are largely optimistic about the future. But operators are experiencing an uneven recovery: Many are still working toward recovery, while a lucky few thrived throughout the pandemic and some ceased operations altogether. Here’s a look at operator performance, sentiment and the challenges they face in 2023 and beyond.