2023 Program

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Private event - by acceptance only.
Each year, Phocuswright brings together the industry’s best and brightest travel leaders aged 35 and under to be part of this elite group. This private program during Phocuswright Europe is a launching pad for the next generation of travel luminaries to connect, debate and collaborate.

Private event - by acceptance only.
Innovation is the lifeblood of any industry. The Startup Program is a curated networking platform to connect startups with corporates and investors to foster real innovation.

Meet with innovators and exhibitors one-on-one! The showcase is open for business and abuzz with activity.

Demand is increasing to deliver sustainable travel choice for both work and pleasure. Consumers are more likely to not only expect to see sustainable travel options, but for those to be delivered by companies which themselves operate sustainably. Working in partnership with other innovative sustainability platforms such as Plan A and Lune, Visa is helping companies learn more about the impact of their operations, and how to reduce it to future-proof their business and stay competitive in managing their net zero journey.
To complement this, the Visa Sustainability Index helps businesses better understand the drivers and choices made by sustainably-minded consumers, making it easier to deliver the right level of service and expectation in a sustainable travel offering.

Join your fellow attendees, speakers and the Phocuswright team to network and enjoy beverages and tasty bites.

Register or check in, and collect your conference materials. Phocuswright Reception is the go-to spot for all your needs.

Then, meet with innovators and exhibitors one-on-one! The showcase is open for business and abuzz with activity.

The first true social platform for travel goes back to its roots as the trusted place for everyone's trip planning.

Top leaders from European hotel groups speak about servicing high demand, solving the labor shortage, protecting the environment, and accelerating revenue in a time of uncertainty.

Finding the next titan requires a keen eye and deep investment. Some of Europe's smartest investors share their views on the state of startups and how to pick winners for travel’s next era.

Business is booming despite tough competition and increased regulation. Find out what’s new, what's in and what's out as Airbnb continues to innovate to meet traveller’s needs while navigating global uncertainties.

A trailblazer shows the titans how it's done when it comes to drone delivery. Its founder shares his flight path to success.

Innovative products have come to the forefront in 2023 and are driving the industry forward. The most innovative and agile Titans and Trailblazers are developing products to address the shifting preferences of travelers, who now prioritize safety, convenience, and unique experiences and to empower B2B partners to service travelers in a hyper-personalized, contextual manner. Follow the product enhancement journey into the New World that is as efficient as it is experiential, from different perspectives and markets.

Sixty-two percent of European customers abandon a purchase after two minutes. In this interactive session, we’ll share the most common web and app checkout errors and how to fix them to drive revenue and conversion for your travel business.

Stripe will be sharing:
• A detailed checkout conversion checklist
• Top tips on optimising your online checkout
• Best practices to win bookings on mobile
• How to add the right local payment methods to increase conversion
• Whether buy now, pay later solutions are right for you

Tens of thousands of travel businesses are innovating their financial infrastructure with Stripe, including The Hoxton, Mr & Mrs Smith, Life House Hotels, Sonder, Mews, Cloudbeds, Guesty, FareHarbor, loveholidays, Expedia, and more.

Offering a positive, satisfying and sustainable experience for both tourists and residents is one of the greatest challenges for tourism destinations.

However, with today's modern tools, like Artificial Intelligence and Alternative Data, there are new ways of evaluating and benchmarking sustainability and inclusivity initiatives. These new metrics are revolutionising destination management and marketing.

Until now, the measurement of these KPIs has been conducted through subjective self-assessments or external surveys. Today, DMOs, DMCs and tourism organisations have access to accurate and objective metrics to analyse their destination - automatically, objectively, reliably, and in real time.

Discover how your destination can better support locals and visitors alike with the latest innovations in travel technology.

For decades, the travel industry has relied upon large scale institutional clearing houses in numerous geographies to pay each other and get paid. However, as globalisation has continued at pace, coupled with the ever-accelerating rise of digitalisation, these legacy solutions of the past are no longer keeping pace with the increasingly cross border, digital and global commerce needs of the industry. Step forward FinTech to help the industry merchandise their wares, access new markets and bring buyers and suppliers closer than ever before. So, have we seen the full potential of FinTech in Travel yet or is there much, much more to come? Our panellists will share their views on the potential FinTech in travel offers and the challenges in making sure that this potential is realised rapidly, effectively and securely.

Innovation isn't just for startups - scaleups and established companies are also breaking new ground and developing new technologies. Launch demonstrators of all sizes use this spotlight to wow the audience and vie to win the People's Choice Award!

But first, we’ll set the stage with a presentation on the state of travel startups, analyzing how funding is holding up in 2023 and highlighting regional and categorical trends.

Operto Connect: the all-in-one hospitality operating system that streamlines operations, automates workflows, and enhances guest experiences.

The most profitable payment platform for hotels and advisors. 100% of commissions paid in 7 days, automated settlement.

A refreshing new way to travel. Smooth personalized trip discovery & management.

Justt opens up data-driven chargeback insights and win-rate optimization with its AI-based chargeback mitigation solution.

Attention snow enthusiasts! WeSki is here to revolutionize your ski holiday experience with limitless choices, tailored trips and unrivaled convenience.

In this curated session, WiT puts the spotlight on the new world of trends and tech in the more unconventional markets where things are changing at a rapid pace and accelerated during the pandemic. From South Korea to the Middle East and Nigeria, we meet the titans and trailblazers from those markets and scan the fast-paced, high-growth digital travel landscapes forming and how that might influence the way you think about opportunities and new ideas for your businesses in Europe.

Find out the winner of the Innovation Launch People's Choice Award!

Two of travel's smartest architects discuss opportunities, surviving shocks, ignoring the hype and building great businesses in this presentation/interview format.

Tours and activities came of age during the pandemic as travelers' desire for new adventures and experiences sparked a rapid move to digitalization. Some of the largest players share their views on keeping the momentum going.

Multi-modal travel, the connected trip. Are they any closer now than a decade ago? Is it about policy, innovation, or busting travel silos? Experts discuss the obstacles that must still be overcome to realize the dream of seamless travel.

As Expedia's partner list grows, so do its efforts to innovate tech and service capabilities on a global scale. That's a tall order for this giant OTA as it forges ahead in Europe and beyond.

Register or check in, and collect your conference materials. Phocuswright Reception is the go-to spot for all your needs.

Then, meet with innovators and exhibitors one-on-one! The showcase is open for business and abuzz with activity.

Mobile, marketing, money and merchandising: How Booking.com plans to pull it all together.

Phocuswright brings the findings from its latest research on the European consumer to Center Stage in this presentation.

As the travel landscape keeps shifting, so do travelers' intentions. The art of turning leads into sales has become even more complex and competitive. Leaders from top intermediaries discuss how they help travelers navigate the maze of options.

Generative AI is set to revolutionize travel. Pioneers in the field tell us how the technology will change everything from the back of the house to the front.

Find out how hotels can bring web3 content – virtual, interactive, immersive, bookable experiences – to web2 platforms, making it accessible to consumers on any device. Hotelverse is doing just this for brands like Radisson Hotels, NH Hotels, Pestana Hotels and more. Hear about the company’s “digital twin” solution and how it is driving conversions and upselling.

Labor and supply shortages have marred the airline experience amid recovery, but unfazed travelers keep flying. Learn how the new economics of airline operations have changed the landscape, and how travelers are responding.

Staying ahead of traveller and technology trends has helped Amadeus drive growth. Its leader discusses innovation, market growth and navigating challenges.

The recent shift in traveler behavior has revived packaged holidays. It's time for a fresh start with a new mindset - and toolset.

Despite government pressure and post-Covid shifts, short term rentals continue to surge. Just how much has traveler behavior permanently changed and will rentals ever surpass hotel? Our experts predict shifts over the next three years.

The metaverse – just buzz or a bona fide innovation for travel companies? Global payment powerhouse Worldline believes the latter. Hear about the company’s shopping mall in the metaverse and how it could be the next commerce channel for travel brands.

Policy, sacrifice, and innovation can make a positive difference in tourism's global impact. But are travelers convinced when they make their choices? These leaders have a plan.

Barcelona Turisme is offering Phocuswright Europe attendees the chance to tour Barcelona on a complimentary 3-hour double decker bus. From Modernista Barcelona to gastronomic Barcelona and Olympic Barcelona, the bus takes you there – just sit back and enjoy! Attendees will also receive a complimentary gift. We encourage you to save your seat, as the tour bus has limited seating!

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