Skift Take

These are the tourism trends we were talking about this week.

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines tourism.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>CES 2017 this month in Las Vegas marked the emergence of Artificial Intelligence-integrated connectivity and voice responsiveness into the mainstream: Interview: CEO of CES 2017 on the Future of Connectivity

>>As Fathom prepares to enter its new chapter, the brand needs to clearly identify its mission and experience to connect with the right travelers. If “social impact” wasn’t a clear enough description, will “participatory” do the job? The Short Life of Fathom Shows Cruisers Mostly Just Want to Cruise

>>Conference organizers are developing more multidisciplinary programming that pulls from both the business and creative industries: Travel Megatrends 2017: Festivalization of Meetings and Events

>>While influencers help many brands break into communities they want to reach, travel brands shouldn’t forget that ordinary travelers also post millions of photos and videos that help people decide where to book their trips: 5 New Travel Startups Helping Brands Work With a Universe of Influencers

>>The jury is still out on whether destinations suffering from overtourism will be able to effectively manage tourism, or will continue to struggle in the face of mounting backlash from their citizens: Travel Megatrends 2017: Overtourism Goes Mainstream

>>United plans to retire its aging 747 fleet by the end of the year — well ahead of schedule. While that’s good news for passengers keen on new aircraft and fancy in-flight entertainment, some are mourning the loss: The 747 Flies Into The Sunset — Skift Business Traveler

>>Disney’s international parks act as key consumer touch-points that drive brand awareness and cross-monetization of content in new markets: Disney Deep Dive: The Economics of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

>>Montreal’s use of targeted advertising on Facebook and the use of William Shatner is a smart example of how to go after key markets: William Shatner Is Selling Montreal Tourism in New Facebook Ad Campaign

>>Mass personalization, artificial intelligence, and ubiquitous connectivity were three of the big megatrends at CES 2017 this month: Megatrends Reshaping Business Events in 2017 — Meetings Innovation Report

>>Negative headlines are likely to put anyone off wanting to travel to the Gambia at least in the short term. How long this lasts depends entirely on when the political crisis in the country is resolved: Unrest in the Gambia Prompts Tourist Evacuation

>>If you have pored over “places to visit” lists and wondered — like we have — how decisions get made, this podcast will provide a glimpse into the room where it happens: Skift Podcast: How Where-to-Go Lists Get Made

>>Attention startups: Now’s your chance to join travel’s top players at Skift Forum Europe with startup friendly pricing: Skift Forum Europe 2017: Startup Tickets Are Now on Sale

>>Travelers get free gift cards and companies save money on their travel spend: Upside’s Big Valuation Shows Hunger for Biz Travel Tech — Skift Corporate Travel Innovation Report

>>While plenty of European travel companies have struggled to cope in a difficult operating environment, On the Beach has prospered: CEO Interview: On The Beach’s Flexible Approach to Selling Holidays

>>While other regions are catching up, Europe is going through a period of upheaval. The specter of terrorism, the destabilizing Brexit vote, and upcoming elections all mean that 2017 is going to be a pivotal year: Travel Megatrends 2017: A Year of Reckoning for Europe

>>Few other presidents have done as much for the U.S. travel industry as President Obama and by many measures he will hand Donald Trump a healthy and growing industry. But some of the Obama Administration’s tourism goals still require renewed efforts: President Obama’s U.S. Travel Legacy After Eight Years as Tourist-in-Chief

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Tags: Travel Trends, trends roundups

Photo credit: President Obama's tourism legacy is mostly positive but key challenges remain. Pictured is Obama touring the Treasury in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan in 2013. Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press

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