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Thanks to new technologies that can sift through the practically limitless amounts of data in cyberspace, shrewd use of such data will be the key factor in determining which travel companies succeed or fail in the years to come. Companies hoping to stay competitive also need to accommodate travelers with device-agnostic access to information, address specific traveler needs with targeted offers, and take advantage of cloud computing to streamline their own business operations.
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Online tools, technologies and apps have already become integral parts of the travel industry and the typical consumer's decision-making path. But how effective are digital technologies at moving the needle on travel buying behavior, and do they help brands foster deeper relationships with travelers? This Analysis examines the impact of and differences between key digital technologies used in travel, including mobile, location-based services, personalization technology and more.
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While the U.S. economy showed clear signs of recovery in 2012, there were enough mixed signals to make vacation decisions difficult for many Americans. Through a longitudinal analysis, PhoCusWright's U.S. Consumer Travel Report Fifth Edition examines traveler behavior along each step of the travel planning process - from the media travelers rely on to make destination and product decisions, to the channels they use to book and share their trip experiences. Key metrics include frequency and duration of trips, travel expenditure and travel component purchases, and travel intentions for the coming year.
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PhoCusWright has consistently chronicled the evolution of online travel, technology and innovation. Since 2008, The Travel Innovation Summit@The PhoCusWright Conference has showcased well over 100 startups and travel industry innovators. This Spotlight examines more than 500 startups founded and funded since 2005, tracking the companies, categories and regions that have attracted the most attention (and capital) during this period.
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The Middle East travel market, while still in early days, is growing fast – especially online, where the region's young, tech-savvy consumers gather to socialize, politicize and yes, plan trips. PhoCusWright's Middle East Online Travel Overview – the first in-depth analysis of this emerging market – provides sizing, trending and forecasts for the region as a whole and for four major markets in particular: the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the report offers detailed examination by segment and channel and delves into the complex technology trends shaping the market.
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Geographic data and maps are critical components of daily life for people and businesses alike. Today, services based on digital maps and geographic data have become embedded in modern culture. This Spotlight explores the evolution and current status of geo-services, including its underlying foundational elements, and examines various businesses that use geo-services to deliver personal services and rich experiences.
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Nearly two thirds of U.S. online travelers now own a smartphone, one third own a tablet and nearly a fourth own both. Rapid adoption of mobile devices among travelers is impacting every phase of the travel process, and mobile is becoming the new battleground for travel companies seeking to grow market share. This report provides a detailed assessment of the U.S. mobile travel market, including consumer behavior trends, mobile market sizing and projections for key travel segments.
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Until recently, travel companies' online strategies could be comfortably confined to the desktop web. However, the explosion in consumer electronics, mobile technology and social media have transformed the online experience, making it extremely challenging to address the market with a single, mainstream strategy. Mobile devices, tablets and still-evolving social platforms have changed the way travelers connect, plan and share their experiences. PhoCusWright's Traveler Technology Survey 2012 provides travel companies and marketers a comprehensive view of how the latest devices, mobile functionality and social networks are shaping the consumer travel planning process.
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While a strategically managed social media presence has become de rigueur in the travel industry, companies are still struggling to determine how best to harness the medium. PhoCusWright's Social Media in Travel 2012 examines the role of social media in the online travel ecosystem, investigating which types of user-generated content are most influential, how social networking affects referrals to travel sites, and what innovations to expect from social travel startups, among other trends.
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General search engines like Google have become so ubiquitous that many users would be lost without them. In the travel category, top brands compete fiercely for general search traffic, despite their well-established names and websites. This report examines the role of general search engines in the travel planning process, and includes an overview of travelers' search engine usage by brand, motives for using search, travel products searched for and more.
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