Robert Cole
Senior Research Analyst, Lodging and Leisure Travel
Robert Cole contributes to Phocuswright on topics related to hospitality, technology, distribution and traveler engagement. He has authored numerous papers for Phocuswright and has served in industry leadership roles with the Open Travel Alliance interoperability committee, HEDNA board of directors and as an HSMAI Adrian Awards Platinum/Best of Show judge.
Mr. Cole is also founder of RockCheetah, a hotel marketing strategy and travel technology consulting practice with clients including global hotel brands, travel technology providers, consumer websites, major media groups, travel related service organizations and the U.S. Government. Robert has over 30 years of travel industry experience. Prior to working with Phocuswright, Mr. Cole served as vice president, destination experience for mega-wholesaler Mark Travel; vice president of hotel and car for dynamic packaging pioneer Neat Group; director of hospitality development for Sabre Group; and corporate director of marketing planning for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He holds a B.S. degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

COVID-19 Hotel Forecast: Phuket
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: August 2020 Analysts: Robert ColePhuket is a major destination for international tourists, ranking in the top 15 global destinations, greeting 9.9 million international visitors annually in a pre-pandemic world. The rate of growth for...

COVID-19 Hotel Forecast: Chicago
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: July 2020 Analysts: Robert ColeLike other cities that introduced strict lockdowns, the negative impact on revenue per available room (RevPAR) has been severe, especially for Chicago's city-center properties. Optimism for a recovery...

The Connected Trip: Are We There Yet?
Category: Destination & Activities Marketing Published: June 2020 Analysts: Robert ColeFor decades, travel sellers and technology companies have fostered the idea of seamlessly connecting all elements of a traveler's trip through a unified process and itinerary. The concept is also...

COVID-19 Hotel Forecast: Toronto
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: June 2020 Analysts: Robert ColeAs Toronto cautiously reopens, we expect the market's performance to improve further. The good news is that it appears that Toronto hoteliers are being relatively disciplined with their rate discounting...

COVID-19 Hotel Forecast: Key West
Category: Market Overview & Sizing Published: June 2020 Analysts: Robert ColeKey West is in the enviable position of having successfully contained the local spread of the virus, while enabling a relatively rapid rebound. For hoteliers having survived over two months of...