Philip Wolf
Travel Industry Investor, Mentor and Serial Board Director Founder & CEO, then Chair, now Retired from PhoCusWright
Philip Wolf is a prominent figure in the travel and tourism industry with a long and influential career. He is currently serving as a Member of the Board of Directors at AirHelp.34
Career Highlights
Philip Wolf is best known as the founder of Phocuswright, a leading authority in travel, tourism, and hospitality research.1 He launched Phocuswright in 1994, before the widespread adoption of the internet, and played a crucial role in shaping the online travel industry.1
Achievements and Contributions
- Pioneered online travel in the late 1980s
- Served as CEO of a venture-funded travel booking engine in 1991
- Coined the term "OTA" (Online Travel Agency)
- Developed the methodology for sizing the online travel marketplace
Education
Wolf holds a BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.1
Post-Phocuswright Career
After selling Phocuswright in 2011, Wolf transitioned into roles as a mentor and serial board director.1 He has served on the boards of over 25 private and public companies across four continents.1 Some of his notable board positions include:
- MakeMyTrip (NASDAQ: MMYT) in India
- Hopper in Canada/USA
- TrustYou in Germany/Japan
- Blacklane in Germany
- bd4Travel in the UK
- SmarTours in the USA
Industry Recognition
Philip Wolf is widely regarded as a visionary in the travel industry.5 He is known for his unique perspective on the digital landscape and its impact on travel, tourism, and hospitality.1 His insights and analysis have become a staple in industry presentations, with many featuring slides citing Phocuswright as a source.1
Philip Wolf's LinkedIn username is indeed philipcwolf, as mentioned in the query.2