PhocusWire's theme months for 2018 - all in one placeNews / TechnologyBy PhocusWire | December 31, 2018Share Our daily coverage of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry touches on many subjects that are (or will be) having an impact on brands.But "news" rarely lends itself to deeper analysis of a particular topic. This is where our theme months have kicked in so successfully during 2018, giving us the chance to explore a trend or new technology in much more detail and talk to leading figures in the market for their take.We plan to repeat the theme month idea in 2019 (with new subjects) but, for now, here some of the highlights from each month during 2018.JanuaryHow airlines gain an edge through pricing (Part One)How airlines gain an edge through pricing (Part Two)Airlines should consider these critical trends (or fall behind)FebruaryDecoding blockchain, part 1: Travel ID and securityDecoding blockchain, part 2: Travel loyalty programsDecoding blockchain, part 3: Flight data managementDecoding blockchain, part 4: Cross-border paymentsQ&A: Trust, truth and transparency at the heart of TUI Group’s blockchain workPulse check: Blockchain not a panacea to disrupt web travelMarchVoice tech in travel, part 1: Brand adoptionVoice tech in travel, part 2: UX and designVoice tech in travel, part 3: The Skyscanner storyVoice tech in travel, part 4: Expedia’s experiencePODCAST: Phocuswire PundIT Show #10 - voice tech special editionFinding a unique voice in travel technologyAprilAI analysis, part 1: Travel tech giantsAI analysis, part 2: Watson's worldAI analysis, part 3: The brains behind HopperAI analysis, part 4: Digital marketingHow AI is rewriting content creation for travelIn The Big Chair - Gilad Berenstein of UtripHow TripAdvisor is using AI to "humanize" its review communityMayUnlocking travel security, part 1: The threat landscapeUnlocking travel security, part 2: The looming GDPR deadlineUnlocking travel security, part 3: Biometric IDInternet of Things for hotels - great, until a hacker callsTravel, data security and false narratives around FacebookJuneModern travel marketing, part 1: SEO strategyModern travel marketing, part 2: Social mediaModern travel marketing, part 3: Email campaignsModern travel marketing, part 4: Paid searchListen up: Travel marketers need to pay attention to voice searchBehold a new era of digital marketing in travelHow Google, Instagram and more are shaking up hotel digital marketingQ&A: How brands are using WeChat to attract travelersQOTW: Something about how easy it is to burn cashJulyReimagining customer experience, part 1: digital designReimagining customer experience, part 2: Brian Solis on iteration vs. innovationReimagining customer experience, part 3: Airport innovationsReimagining customer experience, part 4: Hospitality happeningsQ&A: Why test-and-learn is at the heart of improving customer experienceAlexa For Hospitality is a seminal moment in the industry (despite challenges)Q&A: Data, context and the impact of Amazon on air travelAugustSurveying the travel startup landscape, part 1: The investors’ perspectiveSurveying the travel startup landscape, part 2: Front line tips from the foundersSurveying the travel startup landscape, part 3: The support systemsSurveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategyTravel startups: What's the ten-year investment, growth and failure picture?QOTW: Something about not moving fast enoughQ&A: Terry Jones on the challenges of creating a successful travel startupIn The Big Chair - Bonny Simi of JetBlue Technology VenturesSeptemberBack in the offline world, part 1: Travel agency enduranceBack in the offline world, part 2: Travel agency technologyBack in the offline world, part 3: Tours and activitiesBack in the offline world, part 4: High-tech versus high-touch hotelsQOTW: Something about an agent's enduranceHow travel agents are working differently with technologyOctoberThe metasearch model, part 1: All things GoogleThe metasearch model, part 2: The transition to meta-bookThe metasearch model, part 3: The complexity of multimodalThe metasearch model, part 4: Startup spaceQOTW: Something about a losing battle for venture capitalistsIt's the end of the hotel metasearch model as we know itThe true cost of hotel brand participation onlineNovemberTechnically Speaking - Ari Balogh of AirbnbTechnically Speaking - David Thompson of Amex Global Business TravelTechnically Speaking - Rajnish Kumar of IxigoTechnically Speaking - Bobby Healy of CarTrawlerTechnically Speaking - Laura Miller of InterContinental Hotels GroupQOTW: Something about a special relationship in techDecemberA review of 2018, a preview for what's next: Blockchain in travelA review of 2018, a preview for what's next: Travel marketingA review of 2018, a preview for what's next: Voice technologyFallacies and travel: Making sense out of 2018Travel startup investments 2018 - a year in reviewPhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018Will airline growth be dependent on mobile and smart technology?Believe the hype? 14 travel blockchain startups to watch in 2019The most popular articles on PhocusWire in 2018QOTW: Something about... a 20,000-word mini-thesis on travel in 2018 Editors Pick2018 And Beyond MonthArtificial Intelligence MonthBlockchain MonthCustomer Experience MonthMetasearch MonthOffline MonthPrivacy and Security MonthRetailing And Ancillaries MonthStartups MonthTech Heads MonthVoice Month