Just over one-third of consumers (34%) report that a technical glitch will lower their likelihood of visiting a travel Web site again. According to Consumer Response to Travel Site Performance, business travelers in particular are less tolerant of glitches than leisure travelers.

PhoCusWright has released what it claims is the first definitive and comprehensive study of the tour operator and packaged travel market in the United States. Commissioned by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and researched and produced by PhoCusWright, the study aim to unravel the complexities of a market worth over US$18.3 billion in gross travel sales in 2008.

Destination marketers play a unique role in the leisure travel marketplace, positioned at the crossroads between travelers and travel suppliers. Thousands of national, state, regional and local level destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) and national tourism organizations (NTOs) play a vital role in stimulating travel demand.

According to a report commissioned by Amadeus and conducted by PhoCusWright, the travel management companies (TMC) sector in China is set for explosive growth - if the industry can overcome challenges in China’s regulatory environment and in technology infrastructure.

“Expanding E-Travel Across Europe” is the overarching theme of the Travel Technology Conference, at PhoCusWright from the USA, internationally acknowledged market researchers and consultants specialising in the travel sector. The findings of the European Online Travel Overview from PhoCusWright show that the selective application of technology is indispensable for the success of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector: “Today more than a quarter (28%) of European travel is booked online, and by 2010 the number of online bookings will have risen by a third”, according to Michaela Papenhoff, Senior Market Analyst for PhoCusWright und CEO of h2c consulting gmbh. In a series of keynote speeches, executive round tables, CEO interviews and brief “Five Minutes of Fame” presentations, PhoCusWright@ITB Berlin will provide comprehensive insights into developments, innovations and new services.

Hollywood’s glitz and glamour gave way to hard talk of new ideas, new products and new companies as the decision-makers and thought-leaders from travel technology gathered for the 15th PhoCusWright Conference, 17-20 November 2008, Hollywood, California, USA.(Above: Rob Torres, Managing Director, Travel, Google Inc.)