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 Gen Z and Millennial mindset: capturing the attention of these young and fast-growing generations
From Our Partners / Online
The Gen Z and Millennial mindset: capturing the attention of these young and fast-growing generations
By Lisa Lindberg - Expedia Group Media Solutions | December 17, 2018
Today’s younger generations are redefining the rules of engagement and asserting their role in purchasing decisions—for themselves, and their families—and travel is no exception. Read More
VIDEO: Vivere - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Vivere - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 10, 2018
Vivere.travel transforms your vacation vision into reality. A personalized, interest-based, visual travel guide. Read More
Simpleview Tourism Media merger
News / Online
Simpleview, Tourism Media merge to create global marketing organization
By Mitra Sorrells | November 30, 2018
Arizona-based Simpleview and Liverpool-based Tourism Media Group are merging, creating a global marketing organization that will serve more than 800 destination marketing organizations, regional tourism... Read More
TravelgateX snaps up REVVA to improve business intelligence tools
News / Technology
TravelgateX snaps up REVVA to improve business intelligence tools
By Linda Fox | November 6, 2018
TravelgateX, a travel connectivity specialist, has acquired revenue management and business intelligence startup REVVA. Read More
Smartvel gets funding boost for its destination content technology
News / Startups
Smartvel gets funding boost for its destination content technology
By Linda Fox | October 24, 2018
Destination content technology company Smartvel has received $1.05 million in funding for further growth. Read More
CrowdRiff 9 million series A
News / Startups
CrowdRiff raises $9M to grow its visual content marketing platform
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2018
Toronto-based CrowdRiff, an artificial intelligence-powered visual content management and marketing platform for travel brands, has closed a $9 million Series A funding round.   Read More
A DMO’s guide to finding the metrics that matter
Opinion / Online
A DMO’s guide to finding the metrics that matter
By Richard Black - Sojern | September 27, 2018
Most people agree that in order for a company to stay in business, you need to market it.  Read More
VIDEO: Behold a next-gen in-destination, tech-enhanced experience
News / Technology
VIDEO: Behold a next-gen in-destination, tech-enhanced experience
By Kevin May | September 26, 2018
Sightseeing buses in major cities around the world have changed very little over the years - it's a simple product with well-defined parameters. Read More
ALICE and Puerto Rico partnership
News / Technology
New app aims to boost tourism in Puerto Rico, nearly one year after Hurricane Maria
By Mitra Sorrells | August 24, 2018
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is partnering with hotel operations platform ALICE and Roca Marketing to bolster tourism on the island by enhancing communications between hotels and tourists. Read More
dmo facebook advertising
News / Online
User-generated content not top of mind for DMOs on Facebook
By Jill Menze | August 22, 2018
State destination marketing organizations in the United States are slow to adopt user-generated content in their Facebook advertising, with the majority relying on stock imagery in posts. Read More
In The Big Chair - Layton Han of ADARA
Interview / Technology
In The Big Chair - Layton Han of ADARA
By Mitra Sorrells | August 3, 2018
Founded in 2009 ADARA analyzes data to help clients understand travelers’ behavior, patterns and trends to create more effective marketing and engagement strategies. The company has 15 offices across... Read More
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
News / Technology
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
By Linda Fox | July 17, 2018
Utrip, a personalization platform for travel, has been testing a destination discovery experience driven by artificial intelligence. Read More
WeChat marketing for travel
News / Online
Q&A: How brands are using WeChat to attract travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2018
Travel brands and destinations are vying for the attention of Chinese travelers – already a massive market with an estimated 130.5 million outbound trips made in 2017 and projections of 10% growth... Read More
Startup Stage Vivere Travel
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Vivere uses AI to curate inspirational content
By Mitra Sorrells | May 30, 2018
 Working with IBM Watson technology, Vivere uses artificial intelligence to easily organize and tag text and visual content about destinations around the world.   Read More
CEO interview Arrivalist Cree Lawson
Interview / Online
In the Big Chair - Cree Lawson of Arrivalist
By Mitra Sorrells | May 16, 2018
 Arrivalist measures the movement of network-enabled mobile devices to determine what digital content influences consumers to visit a physical location.    Read More
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