Dr. O'Connor is a senior market analyst with Phocuswright and co-author of its annual European Online Travel Overview. He is a chaired professor of digital disruption at ESSEC Business School, France, where he also serves as academic director of the specialized courses in hospitality management. Peter's research, teaching and consulting interests focus on distribution, e-commerce and electronic marketing in hospitality and tourism. In addition to authoring three leading textbooks, Peter has published articles in leading academic journals including the Harvard Business Review and the Journal of Marketing, as well as countless articles in both the academic and trade press. In 2015, he launched Coursera's first MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) on hotel distribution and online marketing, which currently has over 12,000 active learners.
Peter's insights and understanding of technology and distribution issues in the European hospitality industry have made him a sought-after speaker and panelist at major industry events. His writings on travel innovation are insightful and highly regarded within the industry. He is regularly quoted in the international press and consulted by investment and consulting companies on developments in the online travel arena. A frequent traveler, he now lives in Paris with his wife and three children.
Areas of Research
Peter's understanding of the European hospitality industry and technology place him in a prime position to analyze the U.K. and France markets for Phocuswright. His writings on travel innovation are insightful and highly regarded within the industry.
France Online Travel 2018: By the Numbers
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: November 2018 Analysts: Peter O'Connor, David JumanThanks largely to recovery in the rail and hotel segments, gross revenue in the French travel market is projected to grow nearly 3% in 2018. Travel is already one of the country’s most mature online...
France Online Travel 2018: Key Developments
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: November 2018 Analysts: Peter O'Connor, David JumanDespite multiple small-scale incidents, concerns about terrorism within the French market have significantly abated, leading to the return of foreign travelers. The government remains committed to its...
France Online Travel Overview 2018
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: November 2018 Analysts: Peter O'Connor, David Juman US $795While the French travel market is relatively fragmented overall, most segments are dominated by a large (typically domestic) player with the resources, expertise and budgets to compete effectively with...
French Online Travel Overview Thirteenth Edition
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: November 2017 Analysts: Peter O'Connor, David Juman, Cathy Walsh US $795The new French government, led by president Emmanuel Macron, has committed to supporting the country’s travel sector, with ambitious plans to grow international arrivals. However, a series of crimes...
French Online Travel Overview Twelfth Edition
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: November 2016 Analysts: Peter O'Connor, David Juman, Cathy Walsh US $795Despite a difficult macroeconomic and political climate in France, the reboot of the country’s travel sector that began in 2015 is starting to take hold, and the outlook is largely positive. The French...