Messe Berlin ITB Convention

PhoCusWright´s signature opening session analyzes the intersection of financial strategy – market visibility, raising capital, exit strategies – and the world´s largest industry: travel, tourism and hospitality, responsible for 8% of worldwide employment, 9% of capital investment and 10% of global GDP.

Now that Travel 2.0 has become mainstream, finding, organizing and matching relevant user generated content (text and rich media) with individual preferences is the next big challenge to solve.

Just when you thought the Web was beginning to realize its full potential, the next generation comes along! It’s called the Semantic Web and many people claim it will be the contributing force that enables the Web to reach its full potential with far reaching consequences.

Until now, online travel distribution channels have lacked user-friendly, integrated train booking options. New technology removes significant technical and business barriers, enabling corporate and leisure travelers to search, shop and buy train tickets and passes as easily as buying plane tickets.

Talkback (20 min): Industry peers lead Q&A

CEOs from travel-related start-up companies make their case in front of a savvy, distinguished audience!

CEOs from travel-related start-up companies make their case in front of a savvy, distinguished audience!

The travel industry is enormously fragmented with companies and infrastructure located all over the world. However, one destination at a time, the travel researching, planning, sharing and purchasing process is becoming wholly digital. As a result, travel companies place great demands on their online agencies. Issues such as continuous technology innovation, travel 2.0 brand management, optimizing online marketing spend and reaching new customers will be explored.

Despite major OTAs continuing to expand globally, many regional OTAs thrive in their home markets. Leveraging local-based competitive advantage is the key differentiator and continuing to do that defines the future opportunity.

Take this time to relax, network or visit the convention cafe (location TBD) where snacks, salads, and hot and cold drinks are available for purchase.

CEOs from travel-related start-up companies make their case in front of a savvy, distinguished audience!

Attracting and retaining new travelers to new destinations require a new digital tool set. As consumers around the world increasingly turn to online searching, shopping, sharing and purchasing, the traditional tour operator/travel agency model must be augmented. Inbound tourism marketing is evolving into a sophisticated science.

Start a new airline in this marketplace? Yes! Hoping to pioneer a new chapter in trans-Atlantic aviation, new ideas are shaping this subsidiary airline. Focused on the constant stuggle between road warrior budgets and comforts, the balance between managing cost and delivering value is the strategic driver.

Talkback (20 min): Industry peers lead Q&A

Travel distribution business models are blurring. The growth of ad and referral-based revenue is challenging the dominance of traditional bookings-driven business models for industry intermediaries. Hybrid business models are sprouting everywhere. PPC and PPA are the new commission and markup.

Luxury brands capture the aspirational components of consumer minds and wallets, and not only for the wealthy. Affluent consumers usually want the best, but that can mean the most authentic or the most adventurous, and not always the most luxurious. Now, boutique venues and romance get the same attention online as the rest of travel, tourism and hospitality.

Talkback (20 min): Industry peers lead Q&A

Mobile technology is on the verge of altering the way consumers search, shop, organize, plan and buy travel. New wireless technologies, convergent next-generation devices and user-friendly applications like mapping and user reviews have once again brought mobile travel opportunities into the spotlight.

PhoCusWright CEO Philip Wolf has been interviewing travel, tourism and hospitality heads around the world for over a decade. His probing perseverance for clear answers combined with vast industry experience to make for special interviews. Considering the changes underway in today´s marketplace, this one-on-one session provides a rare and insider´s perspective on many important strategic issues.

CEOs from travel-related start-up companies make their case in front of a savvy, distinguished audience!

Details TBA