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.
Social Commerce: The Journey and the Destination
Category: Social & Search Published: February 2014 Analysts: Cathy Walsh US $350The relationship between social media and commerce is both more complex and more impactful than originally thought. While increased social conversions may be an important goal for travel marketers, the...
Using Google Glass and Other Technologies to Put Your Destination on the Map
Category: Technology Innovation Published: December 2013 Analysts: Cathy Walsh US $250Even the most innovative DMOs must be strategic about which consumer technologies they invest in. This article explores several technologies DMOs can use to foster destination exploration. It offers an...
The Mobile Travel Experience: Pitfalls and Possibilities
Category: Mobile Published: April 2013 Analysts: Cathy Walsh US $250The quality and functionality of mobile websites and applications within the travel, tourism and hospitality industry have shown marked improvement in the past several years. Yet at the same time,...
U.S. Mobile Travel Report: Market Sizing and Consumer Trends
Category: Mobile Published: February 2013 Analysts: Cathy Walsh US $1,295Nearly 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...
U.S. Online Travel Traffic Report
Category: Consumer Trends Published: December 2012 Analysts: Cathy Walsh US $995As travelers hop from site to site cobbling together their perfect trips, their mouse clicks yield important clues to the shifting dynamics of the online travel marketplace. Phocuswright partnered with...