Three years ago, I gave U.S. Travel Association employees who took all of their vacation time a $500 bonus. I’m convinced it was one of the best ideas for increasing productivity and engagement we’ve ever had. That’s why I’ve stuck with it every year since.
This year's event has a line-up of intriguing presentations from top-shelf visionaries, along with some of the most exciting exhibitors from around the world. One of my favorite segments is The Innovation Summit, where companies battle it out on stage to pitch, demonstrate and face off with the Phocuswright Dragons, a panel of the industry’s most informed insiders.
Mobile has weaved itself into almost everything we do, so it makes sense that everyone is using mobile while traveling. Technology is changing more quickly than in perhaps any other time in history, and those travel brands and professionals that fail to innovate and adapt risk losing out to the competition, decreased profits or even worse, extinction. Just look at the likes of huge brands like Blockbuster, Polaroid, Xerox, MySpace - the list goes on. All steamrollered by technology innovations in the marketplace and changing consumer expectations.
We have many misconceptions about Millennials. This generation is often characterized as self-absorbed, over-connected, and non-committal. Frankly, I’m not sure how they got such a bad rap. What I see when I look at Millennials are inspired, tech-savvy, and creative employees who desire flexibility. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want flexibility? Most companies could use more of these traits.
Google Trips got a good bit of attention on its recent release in September, but I’m not sure I understand the fanfare. Per Forbes, Google Trips is a 'fantastic... travel app you should download now.' Many hail it as a personalized travel app, but I’d argue it’s not quite there, yet.
There has been a great deal of 'news' in our industry regarding the implementation and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within the travel industry. How will this happen and what will the adoption rate look like? More importantly, in a service based industry, what percentage of traveler will be open to this new wave of technology and who will dismiss it?
The development of new performance management systems, aided by apps and people analytics combined, has enormous potential.
There’s a reason why CMOs at the largest tech brands report that content marketing is the second most important initiative, only behind measuring ROI. In fact, 75% of marketers are increasing investment in content marketing in 2017.
The name of the game in 2016 is balancing business traveler satisfaction with travel policies and costs. According to BTN’s Travel Happiness Index, travelers in heavily managed programs - those focused on procurement and driving compliance—were only nominally satisfied, registering a 59 on a scale of 100.
New Wharton research takes a closer look at the usefulness and accuracy of performance reviews – with some surprising results.
How many times do you block advertising in an app or online? Yet, many companies persist in this marketing technique. In a new book, Wharton marketing professor Yoram (Jerry) Wind and The Wharton Future of Advertising Program executive director Catharine Findiesen Hays argue that the consumer is in control, and they want to interact with companies in new ways.
When you’re traveling far from home, do you skip the standard tourist destinations in favor of atypical adventure? Do you set a rule that you will not eat at global chain restaurants you’re already familiar with, instead opting for local establishments? If so, you’re contributing to a growing trend in which travelers seek to immerse themselves in the local culture of a destination.
One of the most vital components of a successful company is an effective branding strategy that creates deep interest and loyalty among its targeted consumers. Although this is a clear focus in many industries, the branding of many travel technology companies speaks primarily to the functionality of products, while failing to connect with the emotional aspect of their target audience.
Great storytelling has been around for eons, but prowess in that skill can propel growth in a company or brand, attract new talent and boost employee morale.
It’s hard to drive travel app adoption but signs show that some are succeeding, and some are not.
Passion is one of the most effective motivators when it comes to launching a startup – and often one of the strongest predictors of whether an idea will lead to success. My passion is car racing and all the elements that go into driving, maintaining and fine-tuning the car to achieve success. I discovered that there is a definite correlation between driving an extremely fast car and running a successful startup - or any business for that matter.
From startups to Fortune 100, companies of all sizes struggle with keeping their content fresh, exciting, compelling and unique. Bill Gates famously proclaimed that 'Content is King' in 1996 and now, almost two decades later, content has certainly become a major player in the world of travel technology marketing.
Digital marketing is a term that is used frequently, but has the time come to stop considering it an entity that is separate from overall marketing strategies?
E-commerce 3.0 and the marketing revolution - what is it all about?
The travel industry is an excellent model of how standardization and simplification can completely alter the landscape of an industry. In a world that is growing more interconnected and having to meet faster demands via technologies that are emerging each day, it pays off to keep it simple.
When President Obama addressed the nation Sunday night to discuss the threat from ISIS, he seemed to suggest that one of America's most important and effective security programs – the Visa Waiver Program – should be placed under review. However, the President misspoke, and the White House corrected the error within minutes.
GPS technology, iBeacons, and services like Yelp, finding what you're looking for is no longer the guessing game it once was, so it’s important to design an engaging shopping experience at the airport.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently released data on the spending habits of tourists in 2014, which put $1.2 trillion back into the global economy an increase of $48 billion from the previous year.
In the travel industry, technology is moving rapidly and affecting both the supply and demand side with solutions that enhance operational efficiencies and help companies drive top line revenues.
It’s still early days for Gen Z — its oldest members are still in their teens or early 20s — but marketers are trying to get a handle on what they want and expect from brands.