Destination Marketing Organizations News

Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are evolving to meet the challenges of digital transformation, traveler behavior shifts, and sustainable tourism demands. PhocusWire covers the latest developments in destination marketing organizations, highlighting how tourism boards are adapting strategies, investing in technology, and redefining destination branding in a competitive global market.

Tourism board strategies and destination marketing insights

Our coverage explores how DMOs are using data-driven insights, social media engagement, and dynamic content to attract travelers and support local economies. From public-private partnerships to tech-forward visitor engagement platforms, we report on the strategic moves shaping the future of destination marketing.

The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
Interview / Online
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
By Cathy Walsh | June 17, 2026
During an interview at Phocuswright Europe, John Matson of Propellic and Carlo del Mistro of Stiplo explored how generative AI is reshaping travel discovery, brand visibility and competitive dynamics... Read More
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
By Cathy Walsh | June 15, 2026
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based stories to travelers as they move through destinations, helping tourism organizations extend engagement... Read More
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
News / Technology
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | June 15, 2026
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and why women may be uniquely suited to thrive in the AI era. Read More
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
News / Startups
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
By Morgan Hines | June 3, 2026
Mindtrip has signed contracts with two destination marketing organizations: Madeira Promotion Bureau and Norwegian Travel Cluster. Read More
Amadeus, Accenture partner on new agentic advertising platform
News / Technology
Amadeus, Accenture partner on new agentic advertising platform
By Matthew Parsons | May 28, 2026
The platform is designed to help travel brands identify intent and demand signals earlier, then leverage Accenture’s agentic framework to execute campaigns. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Agoda, BizTrip AI and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Agoda, BizTrip AI and more...
By PhocusWire | May 8, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
The Weather Company, Steller partner for travel discovery on weather.com
News / Technology
The Weather Company, Steller partner for travel discovery on weather.com
By Morgan Hines | May 6, 2026
The collaboration combines Weather Company’s scale and data with Steller’s creator-led travel video. Read More
DMOs shift toward destination-as-a-service model in AI era
News / Technology
DMOs shift toward destination-as-a-service model in AI era
By Morgan Hines | May 4, 2026
As travelers lean into AI travel planning, how can DMOs maintain and gain visibility? Read More
Travel by B Corp launches citizen science toolkit for travel companies
News / Online
Travel by B Corp launches citizen science toolkit for travel companies
By Cathy Walsh | April 29, 2026
Developed with Nova School of Business and Economics, the guide outlines how travel brands can structure guest participation in scientific research. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
By Linda Fox | April 22, 2026
Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation shares where the industry is with its sustainability attitudes and efforts. Read More
An alternative roadmap to address overtourism
News / Online
An alternative roadmap to address overtourism
By Noam Toister - Travelier | April 20, 2026
As Earth Day approaches, Noam Toister, founder of Travelier, argues that digitizing ground and sea transport is key to enabling dispersal and easing overtourism. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Omio, Mews, Spotnana and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Omio, Mews, Spotnana and more...
By PhocusWire | April 17, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Hoteliers feel pressure to transform as technology evolves
News / Technology
Hoteliers feel pressure to transform as technology evolves
By Morgan Hines | April 15, 2026
In its “Travel Dreams 2026” report, Amadeus explores hoteliers’ challenges, investment areas and more. Read More
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
Interview / Technology
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
By Cathy Walsh | April 1, 2026
The startup monitors how destinations, hotels and attractions appear across AI platforms and offers tools to improve visibility. Read More
Experience Columbus pilots AI platform to unify visitor experience across destination
News / Technology
Experience Columbus pilots AI platform to unify visitor experience across destination
By Cathy Walsh | March 27, 2026
By deploying AI agents across local partners, the program aims to surface more accurate, real-time information drawn from first-party data. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026