PhoCusWright Research

Despite the strengths of an intermediated model that supports global travel reservations systems, some suppliers have resisted going through intermediaries, and have taken bold steps to implement a direct connect strategy. This Analysis examines the prospects for the direct connect movement, across major travel categories.
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Many airlines around the world have adopted optional services as an important new revenue stream. But to what extent will airlines open up the optional services spigot to wider distribution, and under what commercial terms?
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PhoCusWright's Groups and Meetings publication takes an in-depth look at the U.S. corporate groups and meetings market, including sizing and forecasts through 2012, trends in meetings management, and the impact of virtual conferencing and other technologies. The industry is now clawing its way out of one of its toughest periods ever, but the landscape remains dynamic and complex.
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PhoCusWright's Analyst Innovation Wishlist documents the latest products, services and technologies changing how consumers plan, shop, book and experience travel. PhoCusWright analysts review, evaluate, and compare these initiatives - and predict the best areas of opportunity.
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Despite the still challenging economic environment, the three major online travel agencies in the U.S. exhibited impressive growth in 3Q10, an indication of the OTAs continuing countercyclical strength.
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As the Internet evolves, there will be increasing opportunities for companies to deliver useful and appropriate content to travelers at every point along the travel value chain. This PhoCusWright Spotlight examines the still-evolving "Customer Web," including how technology can facilitate a high-quality, personalized Web experience that addresses travelers' myriad information needs.
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The cruise industry is experiencing a modest but welcome recovery in 2010 after a brutal 2009. The recession and subsequent collapse of demand forced cruise lines to slash prices, while the H1N1 crisis in Mexico in the first half of the year effectively killed a major destination market and created itinerary chaos in the Caribbean market. But the crisis has abated.
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Although 2008 and 2009 were among the worst years for U.S. airlines, 2010 is shaping up to be among the best. The 2008 oil price spike, which led to untenable fuel prices for airlines, was followed by a steep economic recession. The result was a dramatic decline in corporate demand for travel and, for airlines, those precious premium customers.
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Hoteliers' concerns for survival have given way to cautious optimism. Economic recovery for hoteliers is fragile. Hospitality ADR improvement is regionally uneven. And overall ADR increases are stubbornly slow. The hotel business recovery is being dampened by continued value-consciousness from both the business and leisure segments.
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Like umbrella sales on a rainy day, OTAs do best when inclement conditions dampen the travel marketplace. But despite the countercyclical boost, the OTA segment as a whole skidded off its growth track for the first time in 2009. The decline was inconsistent across companies, however, and share shifts between the major players concentrated the loss to certain brands, while other brands managed to buck the trend.
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