An eight-year Phocuswright veteran, Ms. Walsh contributes to a range of research efforts as author and editor, with recent publications including In-Destination Events, Attractions & Activities: Europe, U.S. Mobile Travel Report: Market Sizing and Consumer Trends, and U.S. Online Travel Traffic Report. Cathy joined Phocuswright in 2005 to launch The Phocuswright Research Subscription: Technology Edition (now The Innovation Edition). Formerly director, communications, Cathy continues to create marketing content to promote Phocuswright research and events. Cathy gained travel industry expertise as editor of the trade newsletter Travel Distribution Report, where she produced news and analysis on travel distribution and technology. She is a cum laude graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a M.A. in English from North Carolina State University, where her research focused on technology and culture.
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Areas of Research
Cathy's areas of expertise include online consumer technology, social networks, marketing and distribution strategy, and Internet trends, with a particular focus on emerging technologies.

Travel Innovation and Technology Trends 2023
Category: Technology Innovation Published: January 2023 Analysts: Michael Coletta, Robert Cole, Cathy Walsh, Hollis Thomases, Dmitry Koltunov, Adam Glickman, Lorraine Sileo, Norm Rose US $500Each year, Phocuswright publishes a content series that identifies the most significant innovation trends in travel technology and distribution for the upcoming year and beyond. This year we again...
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Travel Experiences: Operator and Consumer Trends
Category: Destination & Activities Marketing Published: December 2022 Analysts: Cathy Walsh, Marcello Gasdia, ArivalThe in-destination industry, which comprises day tours, activities, attractions and related leisure experiences, has endured significant change over the past several years. Travel experiences remain...

Off the Beaten Path: How Technology Is Dispersing Tourism Demand
Category: Destination & Activities Marketing Published: June 2022 Analysts: Cathy WalshIn spite of the travel restrictions associated with the pandemic, there remain tourism hotspots where excess visitation continues to burden local infrastructure, historic landmarks and natural...

The Spectacular Rise (and Fall?) of SPACs in Travel
Category: Technology Innovation Published: April 2022 Analysts: Cathy WalshWhen deciding to go public, many travel companies weigh the pros and cons of a traditional IPO versus a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. SPACs are shell companies created to raise capital...

Europe Travel Market Report 2021-2025
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: March 2022 Analysts: Cathy Walsh, Ralph Merten US $2,495Slowly but surely, the European travel market began to mount its recovery in 2021. After dipping to just 64% of its 2019 size in 2020, gross bookings climbed a projected 31% in 2021. Still limited by...