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.

mammoth-lakes-tourism-coronavirus
News / Online
My Method... Building consensus with data in uncertain times for destinations
By John Urdi - Mammoth Lakes Tourism | July 16, 2020
By relying on data in decision-making, some destinations are able to quickly pivot based on the needs of communities and build consensus around those strategic changes. Read More
culture of safety
Opinion / Online
"Hope everyone is safe": How 2020 is fostering a culture of safety
By Michael Becker - Geosure | July 13, 2020
Three key elements are necessary to bring every individual their inalienable right of safety, including while traveling. These can not only be described, but quantified. Read More
Sounding Off: Collaboration has to be more than a political buzzword
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Collaboration has to be more than a political buzzword
By PhocusWire | July 10, 2020
"Playing politics" with the recovery is not something that is likely to ensure that it runs smoothly, let alone collaboratively. Read More
InPhocus, episode 17 - Destinations, it's over to you now
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 17 - Destinations, it's over to you now
By PhocusWire | July 10, 2020
With the Destination X series now paused as the industry attempts to get back on its feet (AKA "recovery mode"), we wanted to reflect with its producer Doug Lansky on how the series had been received... Read More
Questo adds €300,000 in funding to expand self-guided tours
News / Startups
Questo adds €300,000 in funding to expand self-guided tours
By Linda Fox | July 7, 2020
Romania-based Questo wants to offer tours in 100 cities by the end of 2020. Read More
andrea-kates-futureproofing-next
News / Technology
VIDEO: New Reality With... Andrea Kates of Futureproofing:Next
By PhocusWire | July 6, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Andrea Kates, managing director at Futureproofing: Next, a U.S.-based community for corporate innovation. Read More
How one startup used the downtime to improve life for travel buyers and suppliers
News / Startups
How one startup used the downtime to improve life for travel buyers and suppliers
By Linda Fox | June 29, 2020
The team at vintage car tour company Nowaday has spent the downtime created by COVID-19 to build an online workplace for travel buyers and suppliers. Read More
Restoring confidence to travel: 5 tech solutions to help customers feel safe again
From Our Partners / Online
Restoring confidence to travel: 5 tech solutions to help customers feel safe again
By Jennifer Phillips April - Smartvel | June 29, 2020
With frequent changes and no single source of information, the travel industry is in a quandary. How can it communicate the most up-to-date information with their customers and help them feel confident? Read More
InPhocus, episode 15 - Racial diversity should be the challenge we accept and win
News / Online
InPhocus, episode 15 - Racial diversity should be the challenge we accept and win
By PhocusWire | June 26, 2020
We speak to Jamie-Lee Abtar, executive director of U.K.-based BAME Women In Travel, to learn more about the organization and what new steps brands should be considering. Read More
Road trips become a big option for travel sellers
News / Technology
Road trips become a big option for travel sellers
By Kevin May | June 22, 2020
Travel Compositor's "Routing" platform was created in two months and allows users to add and book services along a particular road trip, all with a single payment point. Read More
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
News / Online
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
By Jill Menze | June 22, 2020
For years, Black travelers have been voicing concern about the challenges they face planning and going on trips. Is the industry ready to listen? Read More
Black Travel Alliance urges travel companies to address Black representation in the industry
News / Distribution
Black Travel Alliance urges travel companies to address Black representation in the industry
By Linda Fox | June 17, 2020
The group of Black travel content creators is asking the travel industry to publicize metrics on Black representation. Read More
Destination X - A brave new strategy for hotels and Airbnb
News / Online
Destination X - A brave new strategy for hotels and Airbnb
By PhocusWire | June 16, 2020
What if, instead of competing head-to-head, these two accommodation categories worked alongside each other to harness their strengths. Read More
entrada-insights-road-trip
News / Startups
With trade shows cancelled, travel tech startup takes its show on the road - literally
By Mitra Sorrells | June 16, 2020
With all industry trade shows cancelled, the founder of travel tech startup Entrada Insights is embarking on a cross-country road trip to meet potential clients. Read More
Sounding Off: State-backed or multi-brand travel projects rarely work
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: State-backed or multi-brand travel projects rarely work
By PhocusWire | June 12, 2020
There are countless ways to offer support from the state but creating, operating and maintaining a brand new service that seeks to challenge the status quo may not be the best use of a government's... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026