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.

travalyst-coalition-report
News / Online
Prince Harry-backed Travalyst coalition urges industry collaboration to “rebuild more responsibly”
By Mitra Sorrells | January 29, 2021
Former Skyscanner CEO Bryan Dove is now chairing the coalition, working alongside Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who launched it in 2019 with Booking.com, Skyscanner, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and... Read More
Tripadvisor creates virtual destination tour via Amazon Alexa
News / Online
Tripadvisor creates virtual destination tour via Amazon Alexa
By Kevin May | January 29, 2021
The idea is that Alexa prompts users to choose their own tour, allowing them to visit over several minutes such attractions as nature spots, landmarks, cultural locations and restaurants. Read More
How travel marketers adjust to the ups and downs of COVID-19
News / Online
How travel marketers adjust to the ups and downs of COVID-19
By Mitra Sorrells | January 27, 2021
As coronavirus rates and lockdown measures shift, travel advertising strategies have centered on careful messaging through digital platforms. Read More
Skyscanner pinpoints unserved routes for airlines via traveler intent tech
News / Technology
Skyscanner pinpoints unserved routes for airlines via traveler intent tech
By Linda Fox | January 19, 2021
Skyscanner is providing airlines with up-to-date information on traveler searches to uncover new opportunities. Read More
Mobility startup Meep hitches a ride with €4M round
News / Startups
Mobility startup Meep hitches a ride with €4M round
By Kevin May | January 19, 2021
The Series A funding round comes just over a year since a €1.5 million seed round into the mobility app and white label platform. Read More
Black U.S. travelers make decisions based on safety, representation
News / Online
Black U.S. travelers make decisions based on safety, representation
By Jill Menze | January 18, 2021
According to MMGY Global, Black U.S. travelers are more influenced by safety concerns and marketing representation than their European counterparts. Read More
VIDEO: Using tech to go from overtourism to sustainable tourism
News / Technology
VIDEO: Using tech to go from overtourism to sustainable tourism
By PhocusWire | January 13, 2021
Now is the time for destinations to build strategies to manage the recovery and avoid some of the problems that developed as a result of too many tourists flooding popular areas. Read More
Here's what happened in 2020, now be prepared for 2021
News / Online
Here's what happened in 2020, now be prepared for 2021
By PhocusWire | January 8, 2021
While many are eager to banish 2020 to a tightly sealed box, how the industry considers its options for the year ahead is based almost exclusively on what has come before. Read More
Are destinations prepared to respond to industry disruption?
News / Technology
Are destinations prepared to respond to industry disruption?
By Jill Menze | January 7, 2021
According to new research from BVK, 95% of destination leaders say they recognize the need to transform in response to disruptive industry trends - however, obstacles remain. Read More
VIDEO: How we went to the brink and back in 2020
News / Online
VIDEO: How we went to the brink and back in 2020
By PhocusWire | December 28, 2020
How do you change customer perceptions and jumpstart business after a downfall? Some of the most battered, but resilient, travel businesses worked hard during 2020 to keep it together. Read More
VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
By Linda Fox | December 10, 2020
The pandemic has changed travel marketing, with brands needing to stay relevant to those that are traveling and inspire those that are not. Read More
google-insights-tool-destinations-2
News / Online
Google launches hub to aid destinations, hotels and partners in recovery
By Jill Menze | December 7, 2020
Travel Insights with Google is built around three new tools to support destinations, hotels and Google’s commercial partners. Read More
red-ventures-lonely-planet
News / Online
Red Ventures acquires Lonely Planet
By Mitra Sorrells | December 1, 2020
Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera will not remain with the company following the acquisition. Read More
travel-experience-economy-oaky
From Our Partners / Technology
Thriving in an experience economy
By Erik Tengen - Oaky | November 26, 2020
We look at how emotion affects memory, what types of experiences are most effective in inciting emotion, and the role of hotels in the system of experiences we know as tourism – a vital part of the... Read More
How the acceleration of digital and sustainability trends is driving innovation in travel
News / Technology
How the acceleration of digital and sustainability trends is driving innovation in travel
By Linda Fox | November 10, 2020
While the industry is in no doubt as to how bad things have been, perhaps a little light at the end of tunnel comes in the form of how companies are innovating for what things might be like going... Read More
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