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destination marketing part 3 smart tech smart tourism

News / Technology

Destination marketing, part 3: On the road to smart, "real-time" tourism

By Mitra Sorrells | September 23, 2019

For the third piece in this month's series, we look at how technology is enabling DMOs to serve visitors when they are in-destination. Read More

News / Technology

Beekeeper grabs $45M to add buzz to hotel staff communications

By Kevin May | September 16, 2019

The Switzerland-based company works with a string of hotels around the world, as well as providing tools for companies in the manufacturing and retail industries. Read More

News / Technology

Destination marketing, part 2: Opportunities in search and social

By Mitra Sorrells | September 16, 2019

Destinations are embracing platforms such as Google, WeChat, Facebook and Instagram to educate and inspire travelers. Read More

Life House 100M real estate equity investment

News / Startups

Life House hotel chain and tech provider secures $100M investment

By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2019

Boston-based Blue Flag, an investment, real estate development and branding firm that has a collection of hotels in its portfolio, is behind the deal. Read More

Facebook executive interview Phocuswright Europe 2019

News / Online

VIDEO: Facebook on inspiring travelers and connecting them to relevant brands

By Mitra Sorrells | May 31, 2019

Facebook’s head of global travel strategy Nikhilesh Ponde shared some of the company's plans for future growth in travel during an interview at Phocuswright Europe. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Guide121 wants to bring a "playlist" mentality to travel

By Mitra Sorrells | May 30, 2019

Guide121 provides users what it calls a “playlist,” which is a suggested sequence of destinations, attractions and events displayed on a digital map. The system cross-references information from the... Read More

News / Online

Ctrip’s Instagram-like platform attracts more than 1M daily users

By Mitra Sorrells | May 29, 2019

Ctrip's new "Trip Moments" content sharing platform is attracting more than one million users every day, and 70% of them are under 30 years old. Read More

News / Distribution

New OTA targets Muslim travelers looking for halal-friendly destinations

By Mitra Sorrells | April 30, 2019

Rihaala is a new online travel agency focused on halal-friendly destinations and accommodations and user-generated content. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: GAFFL connects solo travelers to plan trips, split costs

By Mitra Sorrells | March 1, 2019

GAFFL, or, Get a Friend for Life, is intended to help solo travelers find others planning similar itineraries to travel together and share costs. Read More

News / Online

China, part 1: The big (and getting bigger) picture

By Mitra Sorrells | February 4, 2019

Travel brands and suppliers need to be aware that the Chinese travel market is not only growing - it is also changing. Read More

News / Online

QOTW: Something about an ethical dilemma

By PhocusWire | January 25, 2019

Quote from Valerie Castillo, vice president of marketing for TrustYou, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More

News / Startups

When it comes to guest personalization, price is only one piece of the puzzle

By Valerie Castillo - TrustYou | January 23, 2019

A new hotel brand, Life House, is currently testing an algorithmic pricing system based on customer profiles, history, spending habits and even social media followers. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Trip Loop coordinates group travel, with and without internet

By Mitra Sorrells | January 2, 2019

Trip Loop consolidates information related to group travel, such as hotel reservations, transportation, events and a closed communication network, in one platform, which can be accessed even when... Read More