Phocuswright Europe News
AI, identity and demand shifts take center stage as industry leaders confront a fast‑changing travel
Day 2 at Phocuswright Europe opened with a clear message: the forces reshaping travel are accelerating, and the industry must adapt with equal speed. From AI‑driven distribution battles to digital identity pilots, shifting demand patterns and new expectations for loyalty, the day delivered a steady stream of insight, debate and practical direction for the year ahead. Travel demand stays resilient as AI reshapes the path to purchase
A new operating system for travel takes shape at Phocuswright Europe
Phocuswright Europe opened this week with a clear message: AI is no longer a side conversation, it is the gravitational centre of travel’s next era. Across the main stage, speakers warned that the industry’s economics, interfaces and power structures are shifting faster than many companies can adapt. OAG CEO says travel’s next operating system will be built on “trusted intelligence”
U.K. travel distribution settles into a stable pattern as market hits record £56.6 billion
The U.K. travel market reached a record £56.6 billion in gross bookings in 2025, driven by strong demand and Europe’s highest online penetration rate at 90%, according to a new report from Phocuswright. The findings come ahead of Phocuswright Europe, taking place June 15 to 17 in Barcelona, where global travel leaders will address the major forces shaping travel to and from Europe. Despite the growth, Phocuswright’s new U.K. Travel Market Essentials 2026 report finds that the country’s distribution landscape has settled into a stable pattern. Online travel agency (OTA) share has declined for three consecutive years, while supplier direct gains remain modest.
Phocuswright Europe announces full speaker line-up and program for 2025 conference
Phocuswright Europe, the premier European conference for travel technology and innovation, today announced its highly anticipated speaker lineup and program for its 2025 event. The conference will take place from June 10-12, 2025, at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Under the overarching theme of “The New Age(nts)”, Phocuswright Europe 2025 will delve into the transformative forces reshaping the travel industry. With a particular focus on the impact of Generative AI, the program will explore how these new “agents” of change – including autonomous technologies and evolving consumer behaviors – are influencing company operations, the in-destination experience, travel distribution, and travel marketing. The convergence of GenAI with digital identity will also be a key topic, examining its potential to create more seamless and personalized travel experiences.
Calling travel startups of the world: Global Startup Pitch returns in 2025
Travel startups from across the world will have the opportunity to expose themselves to the global market once again when the Global Startup Pitch, by Web in Travel (WiT) and Phocuswright, returns for its 2025 edition at this year’s Phocuswright Europe.
We’ve yet to see how Artificial Intelligence will change the travel experience?
Ahead of Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona on June 10-12 and on the heels of what PhocusWire editors are calling “easily the biggest week so far for generative artificial intelligence” in travel, travel leaders have shared their thoughts about how artificial intelligence has impacted the travel experience so far – and where they think it’s headed in the future.