Get the latest in travel industry highlights with our free weekly research articles and more. Sign up to get the latest delivered directly to your inbox.
Scandinavian airline market excels, but risks remain
April 2024Scandinavian airline market excels, but risks remain 5575 In the Scandinavia travel market, the outlook through 2027 is positive, with double-digit growth expected each year as Scandinavian travelers indulge their wanderlust. However, while airline gross bookings are projected to surpass pre-COVID leve
Online event recording: The Long-Term Outlook on Short-Term Rentals: How to Thrive in a Shifting Market
April 2024This interdisciplinary webinar bridges macro insights on U.S. travel demand, real estate and hospitality trends with practical financial and regulatory challenges that rental operators deal with on the ground. Segment experts and Phocuswright analyst Madeline List takes a nuanced and data-driven view on STRs’ next chapter.
Who should own the customer?
April 2024What if rather than a supplier or intermediary owning the customer profile, travelers themselves controlled their own personal information, choosing which suppliers and intermediaries to share specific details with? Enter the concept of self-sovereign identity (SSI).
U.S. Consumer Travel Report
March 2024A true understanding of American travelers’ behavior and travel sentiment based on a comprehensive survey of leisure travelers.
Growth, increased arrivals, but an eye on cost in France
March 2024Growth, increased arrivals, but an eye on cost in France 5575 France's travel sector witnessed solid growth in 2023, climbing by 12% to over €55 billion, predominantly driven by the resurgence of international travel alongside strong domestic demand. The digital transformation for the French market is
Is the travel industry keeping up with emerging tech?
March 2024Emerging technologies have undoubtedly revolutionized many industries, yet the travel industry has not fully unleashed all their potentials. Looking forward, many will play a crucial role in meeting the evolving demands of global travelers, emphasizing sustainability, seamless journeys and hyper-personalized experiences.
U.S. Corporate Travel Market: Insights and Outlook
March 2024Participate in an updated study on the U.S. corporate travel landscape, focusing on current market sizing, evolving trends, and future projections.
U.S. Short-Term Rentals
March 2024Examining perceptions, preferences, key trends, market size, tech adoption, inventory, opportunities and more.
Scroll, Heart, Fly: Social Media’s Impact on Travel
March 2024Inspired by the trends in the data, senior analyst Madeline List will lead this consumer research study that specializes in social media usage for trip planning and sharing.
.png "Funding for short-term rental startups cooling but more resilient than other verticals")
Funding for short-term rental startups cooling but more resilient than other verticals
March 2024An analysis of Phocuswright's Travel Startups Interactive Database reveals new insights when comparing funding from 2022 through 3Q23 versus the past 10 years.
From discovery page to destination
March 2024The extremely wide reach of social networks also sparks fear that places will go viral too quickly for a destination to manage the resulting swarms of users intent on visiting trendy areas. Though these cases are likely to be fueled by a minority of travelers, that's expected to grow over time as social media gains even more traction.
Domestic tourism driving surge in India travel market
February 2024Indian travelers, especially the younger generations, perceive travel not merely as a recreational pursuit but as an integral part of their lifestyle. Middle class expansion, coupled with growing disposable incomes and a paradigm shift in cultural perspectives, have catalyzed a surge in tourism in recent years. Gross bookings for the India travel market grew 72% to $33.2 billion in 2022, ultimately...
.jpg "Online event: Overview of the six biggest trends in travel innovation and technology 2024 by Mike Coletta")
Online event: Overview of the six biggest trends in travel innovation and technology 2024 by Mike Coletta
February 2024In this short online event, Phocuswright's manager of research and innovation presents the six biggest trends in travel innovation and technology for 2024.
.jpg "genai for what")
Who’s using GenAI and for what?
February 2024A look into the demographics of who's using GenAI.
U.S. travel agents: Proving to be resilient and thriving
February 2024U.S. travel agents: Proving to be resilient and thriving 5575 As the online travel market has continued its evolution, changing business models and pandemic-era disruption have challenged traditional agencies and advisors. Throughout, travel agencies have proven resilient, and the market is thriving.
Economic, not just environmental, sustainability
February 2024Economic, not just environmental, sustainability How tourism spend can make a destination better 5575 The term "sustainability" has become synonymous with climate change in the common lexicon. While the importance of caring for the environment and the planet should not be understated, travelers can negl
The 2024 guide to travel innovation and tech
January 2024The most significant innovation trends in travel technology and distribution for 2024 and beyond
Travelers’ comfort using GenAI tech
January 2024Since ChatGPT made its grand debut in late 2022, endless discussion (and some anxiety) about generative AI’s (GenAI's) potential uses, drawbacks and dangers, has naturally followed. Moving quickly, the travel industry has embraced it in full force. Many companies have recognized the technology’s potential in multiple arenas of business, including with consumer-facing interactions.
Looking ahead in the Northeast Asia travel market
January 2024Night Tourism, also known as the Night Economy, is a hot topic in China and Northeast Asia. Destinations are seeking to correct a shortfall of leisure spending at night compared to the daytime. In Taiwan, Klook launched a digital pass for visitors to earn discounts while exploring Taipei's night street food markets and sampling local dishes. Looking ahead, night tourism, in addition to two more key...
Growth of global short-term rental bookings slowing as significant volume shifts back to hotels
January 2024Overtourism taxes travelers, destinations and locals alike. Often overlooked as a key susAfter two and a half years of remarkable pandemic-fueled expansion, growth of global short-term rental (STR) bookings is slowing as significant volume shifts back to hotels. Travelers have experienced the peaks and valleys of the STR segment, and overall find themselves in a more discerning place. With certain...
Do travelers connect overtourism and sustainability?
January 2024Overtourism taxes travelers, destinations and locals alike. Often overlooked as a key sustainability facet, crowd management and visitor volume control has become vital in the current conservation and green development conversations. In its milder form, overtourism is a nuisance. At its extremes, it can threaten access to critical or even life-saving resources. Consumers may express a desire to...
The most popular Phocuswright Research Insights articles of 2023
December 2023The top 10 most-read Research Insights articles of 2023, published weekly in the Phocuswright newsletter.
What's new in fintech for travel?
December 2023The need to address consumer anxiety about payments and travel disruptions has fueled the growth in fintech in the travel industry, in some ways blurring the lines between insurance products and fintech solutions. As more fintech companies enter the travel industry with multiple payment solutions that address the forces impacting payment tech, new methods of simplifying payment will continue to...
4 trends point to positive outlook for major European markets
December 2023Consumers in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Spain consistently rank travel as their highest-priority discretionary spending area, across a range of possible categories for spending their discretionary income. However, there are key differences in travel behavior across these markets.
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 2023Will these 5 U.S. consumer trends continue into 2024? 5575 The 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 accordin
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 2023LCCs capture increased share of growing market in ANZ region 5575 Gross 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 ant
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.