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Social media and social networks have brought fundamental changes to how people connect and interact with each other, and have become important tools for travelers as they research, shop for and purchase travel. This Analysis examines startups that attempt to leverage new technology and the power of the social Web in the trip inspiration and planning processes.
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While U.S. travelers spent nearly $27 billion on travel activities, attractions, events and tours in 2009, these activities have failed to penetrate and participate in the broader travel distribution ecosystem. This report analyzes the travel opportunity for events and activities in the U.S., and identifies opportunities and challenges for travel suppliers, distributors and technology providers.
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Advancing mobile technology and smartphone penetration are changing consumers' lives and enhancing the travel experience. This Analysis explores how the combination of mobile payments and Near Field Communications could improve traveler efficiency and provide new avenues for personalized interactions.
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While suppliers and online travel agencies generate the core of Web activity in the travel category today, non-transactional sites like traveler review websites, lead generators and metasearch sites are a significant component of the online travel landscape. PhoCusWright's Online Traffic and Conversion Report analyzes traffic and conversion to identify the key trends that are shaping how and where consumers shop for and purchase travel.
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An examination of the online agency world beyond the Big Four, as well as a look at some of the leading tier-two OTAs and the role they play in the online travel market.
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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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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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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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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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