Thursday, August 1, 2024

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The travel industry is changing with new technologies and empowered consumers. Focusright tackles these changes at “The New Age(nts)” conference, November 19-21 in Arizona.

According to FocusWright, a leading authority on travel research and events, the travel industry is experiencing significant change. New technologies, empowered consumers and emerging players are revolutionizing how we travel, book trips and interact with the industry. FocusWrite will address these disruptive forces at the “The New Age(nts)” themed FocusWrite conference November 19-21 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona.

“The New Age(NTS)” is more than a theme – it’s a call to action for the travel industry to adapt and evolve. The conference will explore four key areas of change through keynotes, panels and thought leadership sessions:

  1. A new era: Google’s dominance at the top of the funnel is being challenged by social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while AI-powered conversational search offers personalized travel recommendations. Airlines are using NDC to regain control of distribution, potentially setting the trend for hotels. Non-traditional players such as big-box retailers and financial institutions are also entering the market, redefining the online travel agency landscape.
  2. Customers in control: Self-sovereign identities, personal data vaults and secure digital wallets empower consumers to own their data and decide with whom to share it. Travel businesses must adapt to this new reality and build trust with customers to access their profiles and wallets.
  3. Emerging Agents: Intelligent agents are already enhancing trip planning and personalization, streamlining tasks for travelers and providing efficiencies to businesses. These tools are reshaping the travel industry now, not in the distant future.
  4. Standing agents?: As travelers become more empowered and new tools automate tasks, traditional travel agents must evolve. By embracing technology and providing expertise that AI cannot replicate, savvy travel advisors can find new ways to thrive in this changing landscape.

“We generally address topics that affect and reshape the travel industry,” said Eugene Co, Director of Marketing and Communications at Focusright. “But this time, it’s more than that. As the new era of travel, new agents of change are emerging. As new players and paradigms exert their influence and the scramble for control over content, customers and their allegiances reaches a new level of intensity, travel distribution is completely stalling. The ‘New Age(NTS)’ of change – a diverse group of tech disruptors, non-traditional players, empowered consumers and influencers – is more than a trend; They are a tidal wave reshaping the travel landscape. This year’s FocusWrite conference promises to dive deeper into this evolving ecosystem where players must either evolve or disappear.”

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