Phocuswright 2024 to focus on...

US travel tech conference theme titled 'The New Age(nts)'

America's travel research authority and event host Phocuswright will tackle the travel industry’s most disruptive forces head-on at this year’s annual congress.

The theme for the conference – to be held at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, from 19 to 21 November 2024 – is titled ‘The New Age(nts)’

The Phocuswright Conference will delve into the "seismic shift" the travel and tourism sector is undergoing and look into how a new age of technologies, empowered consumers and emerging players are redefining how travellers book trips and interact with the industry.

Through a programme of keynotes, panel discussions and thought leadership sessions, the conference will examine four key areas of transformation:

A New Age: Dissecting the dominance of Google at the top of the funnel, challenged by social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, while AI-powered conversational search offers personalised travel recommendations.
Customers in Control: Self-sovereign identity, personal data vaults, and secure digital wallets empower consumers to own their data and decide who to share it with. Travel businesses must adapt to this new reality and build trust with consumers to access their profiles and wallets.
Emerging Agents: Intelligent agents are already augmenting trip planning and personalisation, streamlining tasks for travellers and offering efficiencies to businesses. These tools are not a distant future; they are reshaping the travel industry now.
Enduring Agents: As travellers become more empowered and new tools automate tasks, traditional travel agents must evolve. By embracing technology and offering expertise that AI cannot replicate, savvy travel advisors can find new ways to thrive in this changing landscape.

“We typically address topics that impact and reshape the travel industry, but this time around it’s more than that,” said Phocuswright’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Eugene Ko.

“New agents of change are emerging, as a new age of travel beckons. Travel distribution is being totally upended, as new players and paradigms exert their influence, and the tussle for control over content, the customer and their allegiance reaches a new level of intensity.

“The 'New Age(nts)' of change – a diverse group of tech disruptors, non-traditional players, empowered consumers, and influencers – are more than a trend; they're a tidal wave reshaping the travel landscape."

For more information, visit www.phocuswrightconference.com

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