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.

U.S. Accommodation: Clickstream & Conversion Highlights 2014-2016
Category: Consumer Trends Published: February 2017 Analysts: Douglas Quinby, Cathy Walsh, Deepak JainWhile there may be just two mega-OTAs left standing (Expedia and Priceline) in the wake of consolidation, hotels, metasearch and private accommodation players are pushing to grow their share of the...

Social Evolution: The Snapchat Generation and the Future of Social Media
Category: Social & Search Published: January 2017 Analysts: Cathy WalshYoung people have long been early adopters of new technologies, and nowhere are the tastes and preferences of youth felt more strongly than in the realm of social media. With older millennials now in...

The Southeast Asian Traveler
Category: Consumer Trends Published: January 2017 Analysts: Cathy Walsh, Bing Liu, Chetan Kapoor, Douglas Quinby, Maggie Rauch US $795Asia Pacific is a growth engine of the global travel industry, and while much attention has been focused on the more populous China and India, Southeast Asia is emerging as a key area of focus for...

A Market Transformed: Private Accommodation in the U.S.
Category: Consumer Trends Published: January 2017 Analysts: Douglas Quinby, Mark Blutstein, Alice Jong, Bing Liu, Cathy Walsh, Deepak Jain, Maggie Rauch US $1,095Long described as “alternative” lodging, the private accommodation segment is now mainstream. Services such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO have transformed the marketplace; in 2015 nearly one in three...

Spanish Online Travel Overview Twelfth Edition
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: December 2016 Analysts: Fabian Gonzalez, David Juman, Cathy Walsh US $795Spain’s tourism industry is a bright spot in a country that is still recovering from economic recession. Gross bookings are projected to climb 7% in 2016, making Spain one of Europe’s fastest-growing...