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.

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
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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
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: Vaccines, government changes should inspire higher recovery goals
News / Technology
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: Vaccines, government changes should inspire higher recovery goals
By Kevin May | November 10, 2020
If the chaos of 2020 is swiftly put behind us, then the devastating aspects of what has happened this year (huge job losses, brands closed, etc.) will be in vain. Read More
Hot 25 Startups 2021: Entrada Insights
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Startups 2021: Entrada Insights
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2020
Entrada Insights harnesses and streamlines complex data to provide a full-spectrum of data science, benchmarking and analytical services for global destination management organizations to use in... Read More
Hot 25 Startups 2021: SanSee Systems
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Startups 2021: SanSee Systems
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2020
SanSee Systems is a hygiene screening and certification company serving the tours and attractions industry. Read More
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: Travelers should finally get the attention they deserve
News / Online
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: Travelers should finally get the attention they deserve
By Kevin May | November 3, 2020
Brands, industry associations and government have a unique opportunity to do the right thing and put customers in the middle of their strategic prism. Read More
Yellowstone to be first U.S. National Park to deploy autonomous vehicles for tourists
News / Technology
Yellowstone to be first U.S. National Park to deploy autonomous vehicles for tourists
By Kevin May | October 29, 2020
An agreement between the National Park Service and mobility-as-a-service provider Beep will see two vehicles deployed in the destination's Canyon Village area from May 2021. Read More
Touchless tech: COVID has accelerated the digital evolution in tours and activities
News / Technology
Touchless tech: COVID has accelerated the digital evolution in tours and activities
By Linda Fox | October 14, 2020
How the tours and activities sector is evolving to a touchless future. Read More
VIDEO: To rebuild successfully and sustainably, destinations must be cautious of “empty platitudes”
News / Online
VIDEO: To rebuild successfully and sustainably, destinations must be cautious of “empty platitudes”
By Jill Menze | October 6, 2020
Speaking during Phocuswright Europe, the Travel Foundation CEO Jeremy Sampson says destinations need to focus on action to build back sustainably from COVID-19. Read More
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