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.

You’re not in tourism - a digital world means you’re in entertainment
Opinion / Online
You’re not in tourism - a digital world means you’re in entertainment
By Charles Cunningham - Sparkloft Media | July 12, 2019
In today’s social-focused world, competition for double taps, likes, favorites and shares is more intense than ever, with distractions not only coming from other brands, but also your audience’s own... Read More
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
By Mitra Sorrells | July 5, 2019
The former-Sabre executive and minister of tourism in Mexico has been president and CEO of the WTTC since 2017. Read More
What can we learn from top tourism boards about the digital experience?
From Our Partners / Online
What can we learn from top tourism boards about the digital experience?
By Iñigo Valenzuela - Smartvel | June 25, 2019
With the unprecedented increase in tourism in recent years, destinations have been experiencing an impact on the social, cultural and economic environments. Read More
How Instagram breathed new life into destination marketing
Opinion / Online
How Instagram breathed new life into destination marketing
By Richard Black - Sojern | June 21, 2019
A few years ago, DMOs where just dipping their toe in the digital advertising water. Now, there's no stopping them as Instagram illustrates its huge opportunity for marketers. Read More
Industry innovation: Insider perspectives on how to make tourism better
Opinion / Online
Industry innovation: Insider perspectives on how to make tourism better
By Voyager HQ | June 20, 2019
The in-destination segment - worth an estimated $150 billion - continues to capture its fair share of attention in the broader travel industry. But it is evolving fast. Read More
VIDEO: Understanding the biometric future for travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Understanding the biometric future for travel
By PhocusWire | June 17, 2019
Biometric technology is becoming an accepted part of the journey for travelers in more parts of the world. Read More
Will sightseeing buses be first to globally scale with autonomous vehicles?
Opinion / Technology
Will sightseeing buses be first to globally scale with autonomous vehicles?
By Alex Bainbridge - Autoura | June 12, 2019
Robo-taxis are a fool's errand. Instead, delivering experiences such as sightseeing via autonomous vehicle makes for a better near-term strategy. Read More
VIDEO: Klazz - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Klazz - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2019
Language travel is reinvented by applying algorithmic solutions to match students with freelance teachers abroad. Read More
VIDEO: Questo - Battleground pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Questo - Battleground pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | May 23, 2019
A mobile app for city exploration games in which users solve clues for discovering new places and stories. Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! The role of social media content across the travel buyer journey
News / Online
WEBINAR REPLAY! The role of social media content across the travel buyer journey
By PhocusWire | April 19, 2019
Explore how tourism brands should be using user generated content in 2019 to create the most engaging experiences both digitally and on-site. Read More
AI-driven-travel-guide
News / Technology
University stakes claim on first AI-powered travel guide
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2019
The University of Surrey and Open University have created an AI-driven app to enhance a travel guidebook with digital content. Read More
VIDEO: Bringing an immersive experience to destination activities
News / Technology
VIDEO: Bringing an immersive experience to destination activities
By Kevin May | April 2, 2019
Similar to advances in the movie industry in recent decades, technology can give visitors a new way to experience a destination. Read More
How smaller travel brands can ride the personalization wave
Opinion / Technology
How smaller travel brands can ride the personalization wave
By Matt Langie - Adara | April 2, 2019
Personalization is great for a global airline, or even a regional cruise line. For most smaller travel brands, even regular personalization can seem out of reach.  Read More
VIDEO: How tourism boards tackle the digitalization of activities
News / Online
VIDEO: How tourism boards tackle the digitalization of activities
By Kevin May | March 21, 2019
A tourism office explains how technologies such as blockchain, data management and others will reshape the role of these important organizations In the future. Read More
The push and pull of travel advertising
News / Online
The push and pull of travel advertising
By Phocuswright Research  | March 14, 2019
Products have their strengths, and travel brands need to diversify their ad channel mix to maintain a balance of brand awareness tactics, direct-response offerings and a foray into emerging technologies... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026