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.

Move to create system combining star ratings and user generated reviews for hotels
News / Online
Move to create system combining star ratings and user generated reviews for hotels
By Kevin May | March 18, 2010
In what will be a landmark move in the UK, tourism authorities are set to shake up the hotel rating system by combining the existing star system with user generated content. Read More
YourSingapore launch triggers another round of soul searching
News / Online
YourSingapore launch triggers another round of soul searching
By Siew Hoon Yeoh | March 12, 2010
The launch of Singapore Tourist Board’s new brand and digital strategy has gotten the sector talking. Read More
Singapore shifts emphasis to consumer with YourSingapore launch
News / Online
Singapore shifts emphasis to consumer with YourSingapore launch
By Siew Hoon Yeoh | March 8, 2010
Recognising that media consumption habits have changed and that people have also changed the way they plan and book their travel, the Singapore Tourism Board has launched a new brand, YourSingapore. Read More
Peter Jackson reveals winner of New Zealand tourism film prize
By Kevin May | March 5, 2010
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has announced Argentinian amateur film-maker Andres Borghi has won Tourism New Zealand's web-led search for a new promotional video. Read More
Does legacy thinking still prevail over destination marketing?
News / Online
Does legacy thinking still prevail over destination marketing?
By Siew Hoon Yeoh | February 24, 2010
Amazing, Truly, Uniquely, WOW, even Bloody – you name it, every adjective has been thrown at destination branding. Read More
Viator heads to Scandinavia with four new country sites
News / Online
Viator heads to Scandinavia with four new country sites
By Kevin May | February 9, 2010
Destination activities and tours agency Viator is to open four new country sites in Nothern Europe as part of its ongoing expansion programme. Read More
What are the most popular tourism profiles on Twitter?
News / Online
What are the most popular tourism profiles on Twitter?
By Kevin May | February 4, 2010
A study into the popularity of travel-related Twitter accounts has revealed only two profiles beginning with the titles "Visit", "Travel", "Tourism" or "Discover" have more than 10,000 followers. Read More
Why your Facebook fans are phonies
News / Online
Why your Facebook fans are phonies
By Troy Thompson | February 2, 2010
A Facebook poll to find which US state can get the most 'fans' might be interesting in the short term but over time it is probably - and unfortunately - utterly meaningless. Read More
Tour and activity sector has a new light shone upon it
News / Online
Tour and activity sector has a new light shone upon it
By Stephen Joyce | December 23, 2009
PhoCusWright announced today that it would be undertaking a special report called "When They Get There (And Why They Go): In-Destination Events, Attractions & Activities". To my knowledge, this is the... Read More
VisitBritain taking the tourist love of the movies to the iPhone
News / Online
VisitBritain taking the tourist love of the movies to the iPhone
By Kevin May | December 23, 2009
Interesting initiative from UK tourism agency VisitBritain which has produced an iPhone app solely for film lovers touring around the British Isles. The app is free from the iTunes app store and allows... Read More
Technology has led to travel in Europe being almost free from human interaction
News / Online
Technology has led to travel in Europe being almost free from human interaction
By Siew Hoon Yeoh | December 23, 2009
If technology providers have their way, we would have zero human interaction when we travel. I think we’re halfway there already in Europe. Arriving in Berlin at zero degrees close to midnight, after a... Read More
Finland creates new visitor portal, launches campaign based on wacky stereotype
News / Online
Finland creates new visitor portal, launches campaign based on wacky stereotype
By Kevin May | December 22, 2009
Finland is the latest destination to try a quirky web-based promotion in the hope that it will be another stroke of viral marketing genius along the line of the Best Job campaign in Queensland,... Read More
Discover Anywhere Mobile aims to unlock the social side of mobile apps for DMOs
News / Online
Discover Anywhere Mobile aims to unlock the social side of mobile apps for DMOs
By Kevin May | December 18, 2009
Technology provider Discover Everywhere Mobile is pinning its hopes on a combined enthusiasm for social networks and mobile by consumers will be enough to see DMOs embrace the mobile channel. The... Read More
Should travel inspiration websites follow the money instead of the crowd?
News / Online
Should travel inspiration websites follow the money instead of the crowd?
By Alex Bainbridge | December 18, 2009
I am a logical fellow, at heart just a code developer, hence when I look at what is happening I tend to analyse from what is possible, regardless of probability. Code developers have to handle the one... Read More
DMOs and mobile - there is hope for them yet
News / Online
DMOs and mobile - there is hope for them yet
By Stephen Joyce | December 17, 2009
In recent months there has been plenty of discussion about some of the opportunities that DMOs have when it comes to the mobile space. I also discussed how destinations have the leg up when it comes to... Read More
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