Program

Start your day with a refreshing run or walk alongside fellow attendees. Meet at Palm Court, 2nd Level (next to the Registration & Attendee Services Desk) before setting off. Choose your pace - running or walking - and enjoy a scenic start to the morning.

Reserve your spot via the conference app.

Begin your day with a refreshing yoga session for all levels. A water station and hotel towels will be provided. Mats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Come ready to relax, breathe, and reset before the day begins.

Reserve your spot via the conference app.

Check in at the Phocuswright Reception, grab your materials, and dive into a buzzing showcase packed with innovators and exhibitors ready to connect.
Then, meet with innovators and exhibitors one-on-one! The showcase is open for business and abuzz with activity.

Agoda has long been a force in Asian travel, but under CEO Omri Morgenshtern the company is pushing boundaries far beyond its home turf. Known for his bold vision and embrace of artificial intelligence, Morgenshtern is reimagining what an OTA can deliver for both partners and travelers. Join this candid conversation to hear how Agoda is leveraging AI, expanding globally and preparing for the new playbook of online travel.

Travel discovery has moved far beyond OTAs and metasearch. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Reddit are shaping how new generations dream, research and even book their trips—compressing the path from inspiration to transaction. With hotel booking pilots rolling out on TikTok and creator-driven content dictating destination demand, the rules of engagement are shifting fast. Join our panelists from three of the biggest players as they unpack how social platforms are rewriting the playbook—and what travel sellers must do to win the next wave of travelers.

The travel marketplace is no longer defined by suppliers and agencies alone. Banks, membership organizations, fintechs and new platforms are stepping onto the field, offering travelers fresh ways to book and buy. Centered on loyalty and convenience, this expanding ecosystem targets unique audiences, further splintering travel distribution and changing the very definition of what it means to be a travel retailer. Join this discussion on the strategies, partnerships and innovations that will define the next phase of selling travel.

Hear from the Global Startup Pitch Seedup Winner.

Sometimes it feels like conversations about travel loyalty are getting lost in the sauce. At its root, loyalty is about motivating travelers to patronize brands consistently over time, but dialogue has often strayed into a web of jargon around points, miles, programs and transfers. New Phocuswright research looks at the "big picture" around loyalty. Let's explore how travelers develop their relationships with brands, the experiences that motivate repeat usage and where programs and points can fit into the mix.

Travelers no longer just book a room; they expect a holistic experience shaped by tech, design and brand identity. As global groups, boutique innovators and tech providers converge, the guest journey is being reshaped at every touchpoint. This session brings together leaders from across hospitality to explore how technology and strategy are transforming what it means to deliver exceptional stays for a new generation of travelers.

Hear from one of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026.

In a travel industry moving at turbo speed, Booking Holdings is doubling down on AI and innovation to stay ahead of the competition, drawing on its deep history in technology and its global scale and scope. senior vice president and chief strategy officer Rob Ransom joins us for an inside look at how the world’s largest online travel company is positioning itself to win the next era of online travel and to share his take on the broader challenges and opportunities shaping the game.

In a travel industry that's constantly being redefined, staying ahead requires a complete re-imagining of what's possible —and a fierce commitment to winning. Our Changemakers sessions shine a spotlight on the companies deploying cutting-edge technology to create transformative experiences and to challenge the status quo. Join us for a dynamic presentation and interview as these leaders share their insights into the strategies and opportunities shaping the next era of travel and setting the game’s new rules.

After years of disruption, business travel is [mostly] back, but the rules are not the same. New distribution models, shifting traveler expectations and the rise of AI are forcing suppliers, intermediaries and buyers to rethink strategy and technology alike. Our panel of experts explore the evolving dynamics of corporate travel and what it takes to stay ahead as the sector rethinks products, partnerships and tech stacks.

Hear from the Global Startup Pitch Scaleup Winner.

Join us for an exclusive lunch where you’ll have the opportunity to meet our analysts, connect with fellow subscribers and explore the resources available through your Phocuswright subscription.

Engage directly with our experts to gain deeper insights, share ideas and discover new strategies to maximize the value of your research access. It’s the perfect setting to learn more about Phocuswright’s offerings. Plus, get your hands on some Open Access Subscriber merch. We can't wait to see you there!

Travel startups are navigating a paradox in 2025: funding has slumped to decade lows even as artificial intelligence reshapes the playing field. The sector is undercapitalized, yet founders are using AI to prototype faster, scale leaner and redefine what defensibility means. What can the industry learn from them? Phocuswright research shares critical insights and takeaways from a recent survey of travel entrepreneurs.

Innovation is the ultimate level-up—and not just for startups. Scaleups and established players are also breaking new ground and pushing the limits of travel technology. Launch puts them all in the arena, where each demonstrator has just minutes to wow the audience and prove they’ve got what it takes. With the Travel Innovation and People’s Choice Awards on the line, the stakes are high, the clock is ticking—it’s Game On.

Discover how Emotions AI segments travelers by emotional needs in real-time, revealing hidden conversion wins in 60% of tests.

Stop fraud, not sales. One solution. All channels. Smart trade-offs by design. PRECISION prevents fraud while protecting revenue and maximizing commercial performance.

AI Copilot meets T&E — see how TripGain simplifies travel for enterprises, SMEs, admins, and travel partners.

AI Agents for DMOs: real-time insights, instant strategy, 99% faster decisions to boost tourism impact and coordination.

From call center chaos to cognitive AI: Acai moves travel beyond deterministic software to an agentic, interconnected future.

BoomPop’s launch: An AI-powered event OS that makes it easy to source, book, and plan events. Plus, our Brex partnership.

RateFox+ turns hotel booking into a transparent, success-based fintech marketplace for travel buyers and sellers.

Discover the white-label user experience that powers branded, full-funnel hotel booking and metasearch price comparison.

Wenrix DeepFlow: the AI execution layer transforming complex travel servicing into instant, automated action.

As travelers demand more choice, speed and personalization, distribution is entering a new age. Artificial intelligence, data-driven platforms and shifting business models are redefining how travel is bought and sold. Hear from Amadeus on the future of distribution, the role of AI and what it will take to compete in travel’s evolving landscape.

Philip, Phocuswright’s founder, was an entrepreneur, travel advisor, consultant, and mentor to many. His influence on the travel industry and its people was profound, and his guidance will resonate for years to come.

The two applicants chosen for the scholarship reflect Philip’s passion for mentorship, embodying his values and a commitment to solving meaningful challenges in the travel industry.

The rules of the travel technology game are being rewritten. From AI to new distribution models, the pace of change is forcing suppliers, agencies and platforms to adapt—or risk being left behind. As president and CEO of Sabre, Kurt Ekert has a front-row seat to the disruption and a clear perspective on what it will take to compete. In this candid conversation, Ekert shares his views on the forces reshaping the industry and the bold moves needed to stay in the game.

AI agents are poised to transform how travelers search and book. In this session, leaders will explore what happens when machines handle travel selection and purchasing-from trust and fraud prevention to seamless, intelligent transactions-and how travel suppliers and intermediaries can prepare for this new world.

As generative and agentic AI reshape search, discovery and conversion, the rules of hotel distribution are up for debate. Two industry veterans bring decades of perspective from the front lines of travel and search, joined by an entrepreneur reimagining hotel distribution technology for the AI era. Expect a candid look at how AI could rebalance power across brands, OTAs, metasearch and new intermediaries; what “direct” really means in an AI-first funnel; and where value, margin and guest experience may shift next.

Find out the winner of the Travel Innovation and People's Choice Awards!

Join us for drinks and enjoy networking with your fellow attendees, speakers, and the Phocuswright team!

Join travel industry professionals for a relaxed, after-hours networking event to discuss trends, share ideas, and spark new collaborations.