2017 › August

The best tourism websites in the business in 2017 are emphasizing user-generated content from platforms like Instagram and doubling down on video to make destinations seem more real rather than a part of a traveler's imagination.

Disney wowed everyone with this announcement. Now fans of the theme park company and Star Wars wait for the execution — and the price tag.

Five years ago, no one thought about IBM as being a big seller of digital marketing tools to travel companies. That's changed. Big Blue has landed some big deals. Yet the easy wins may be behind it.

When you add up the PR value for Qatar as well as the good will it engenders among travelers (especially those adding to their oneworld alliance point totals), the snafu was a smart move.

Smart move, Marriott. Given the growth of the middle class worldwide will be led by China, it's incredibly insightful on Marriott's part to be doing all it can to establish loyalty and brand recognition with this crucial market sooner than later.

The global distribution systems aren't going anywhere. Innovation, however, is happening in the margins of the travel distribution marketplace, with airlines seeking to regain control of their destiny.

Public companies rarely take on projects where the benefits may not appear for years to come. So kudos to Trivago for risking that with its marketing tools for hotels. That said, the effort is still a risk.

American is creating a new distribution path that might tweak the role companies like Travelport play in distribution. Travelport boss Gordon Wilson tells us he's skeptical. We remain undecided.

SeaWorld is still struggling and Merlin is probably hoping it can bag a bargain. Watch this space.

We've officially assembled the best lineup of speakers for any travel conference, ever. Check out our finalized speaker list now.