MEET THE TEAM
Erin Francis-Cummings
A go-to expert resource in the destination marketing industry, Erin Francis-Cummings has spent the last two decades studying travelers from across the globe and translating their evolving, complex and fascinating behaviors and opinions into marketing insights for Destination Analysts’ 200+ clients. Erin has designed research strategy and facilitated consumer research for some of the world’s greatest destination brands, from Bermuda to Fiji, Florida to California. In addition to conducting research from brand auditing, to user experience to ROI analysis, she also oversees the production of Destination Analysts’ The State of the American Traveler—one of the travel industry’s longest-running and most relied on tracking study of American leisure travel sentiment and behaviors—The State of the International Traveler—an annual study of the travel behaviors and perceptions of 26 international travelers in 14 top feeder markets to the United States—and The CVB and the Future of the Meetings Industry—a bi-annual study of meeting planners focused on trends in the meetings & events industry and how DMOs can support them. Erin currently serves on the international board of directors for the Travel and Tourism Research Association and supports the greater travel industry through projects for the US Travel Association and Destinations International and numerous tourism associations.
David Bratton
Dave is a widely respected DMO industry thought leader, well known for his creative approach to market research which is supported by rigorous, carefully-designed programs. Since founding his market research firm, Destination Analysts, in 2003, the company has become one of top tourism research service providers in the travel industry and a go-to resource for the now and next in traveler trends. Dave’s work has been recognized with several awards, including being named as one of HSMAI’s 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing. Prior to founding Destination 27 Analysts, he spent a decade pioneering new tourism research techniques and digital marketing tactics for San Francisco Travel as Director of Marketing and Research. Before coming to the travel industry, he worked as an economist for the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis in Washington, D.C. and was a contributor to the noted journal, Survey of Current Business. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Arizona. When he is not studying travelers, you can find him out on a hiking trail, camping or otherwise exploring the great outdoors.
Kimberly Vince-Cruz
Having spent the last decade conducting market research for destinations, the travel trade and meetings industry, Kimberly directs and implements the vision of Destination Analysts’ research studies. Kimberly brings a wealth of experience to our clients—overseeing project launch, data collection and analysis for all research projects, from extensive visitor profile studies, to in-depth brand research to ROI and conversion studies. She has served as lead facilitator and analyst for projects as diverse as the Bermuda Tourism Visitor Profile and Colorado Rural Assessment. Kimberly is a sought resource in the DMO industry for her additional expertise in website usability, audience profile, analytics and conversion, and was recognized as one of California Travel Association’s Tourism Emerging Leaders. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Ethnicity with a minor in Spanish from the University of Southern California.
Courtney Foste
Courtney is tasked with ensuring Destination Analysts’ is delivering timely valuable and actionable insights to its partners. Courtney is a seasoned executive with more than 20 year’s experience across the hospitality, tourism, and e-commerce industries. She has spent the majority of her career at Expedia, creating data-driven marketing and merchandising strategies for her partners on the Media Solutions team and developing and maintaining strong hotel and DMO partnerships throughout the Caribbean on the Market Management team. Most recently Courtney worked as a travel industry consultant with Hudson Crossing and also used her COVID downtime to learn more about cheese. A true food and travel lover, Courtney started her career as pastry chef before transitioning from restaurants to hotels and tourism. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University.
Myha Gallagher
Myha manages the operational planning, implementation and analysis for Destination Analysts’ suite of research studies. She has presided over comprehensive, multi-year visitor research programs as well as designed and executed comprehensive audience analysis and traveler persona research for destinations across the U.S, Caribbean and Asia. Myha also co-leads Destination Analysts syndicated research studies, serving as senior analyst of The CVB and the Future of the Meetings Industry Study, The State of the American Traveler and The State of the International Traveler and The Coronavirus Travel Sentiment Index. Myha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. After an early life in California, she and her husband have recently made Denver home.
David Reichbach
David is a highly regarded information privacy attorney who received his JD from the University of San Francisco. David oversees the analysis, retention and security of data collected in Destination Analysts’ diverse research programs. With his BS in Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley, David brings his specialization and skills to Destination Analysts’ quantitative work, particularly in segmentation analysis and economic modeling. With curiosity and determination, David‘s passion for applying practiced data science methodologies to new and innovative situations has lead the creation of Destination Analysts’ Geo-location data analysis services. By continuously pushing boundaries and asking critical questions, David’s work in location data analysis has become highly valued in the tourism industry for his ability to develop creative solutions and communicate complex concepts in a defensible and relatable way. David is a frequent speaker on tourism insights at travel industry events and enjoys exploring the complexity of dark chocolate and red wine.
Michelle Drenker
With over a decade of industry experience, Michelle has led research programs for destinations across North America, including the Hawaii Visitors& Convention Bureau and Tourism Whistler. Michelle currently serves as Research Director for Destination Analysts, providing travel and tourism industry clients insights into their target audience, marketing programs, and visitation. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring her home state of California.
Jamie Tokuno
Jamie oversees the development, implementation, and management of market research strategies for projects Destination Analysts’ leads on behalf of clients. With nearly a decade of experience in travel and consumer research, she has in-depth knowledge of the Japan and U.S. travel markets as well as broader consumer consumption and media trends. Before joining Destination Analysts, Jamie managed consumer insights with a large team of researchers at Dentsu, one of the largest media agencies in the world. Prior to Dentsu, she spent nearly five years at the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau overseeing market insights and working closely with the MCI team. Jamie has a passion for research, understanding industry trends, and distilling actionable insights for clients through rigorous qualitative and quantitative methodologies. She was a board member and secretary of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi from 2016-2022 and has cultivated a dedicated interest in sustainability and responsible travel. Fluent in Japanese, Jamie holds a B.A. in Japanese Linguistics from the University of Washington, and a M.A. in Japanese Translation from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Originally from Hawaiʻi, she currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and their dog, ʻīlio.
Taylor Trowbridge
Taylor is a results-driven market research strategist with a career spanning over 15 years across UX, CX, customer journey, consumer insights, and competitive intelligence research. Taylor brings a wealth of experience and business acumen from across a broad range of industries, including consultancies and leading travel/tourism firms. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from the University of Florida. Taylor is originally from Ohio, and after several years in North Carolina, he and his wife currently live in Miami, Florida.
Lauren Brady
Lauren Brady is the Research Coordinator at Destination Analysts, a leading travel market research firm. With her meticulous attention to detail and fervent dedication to research, Lauren oversees all research projects executed by the company, ensuring that clients receive top-notch, data-driven insights that inform their business decisions. With an MBA from Colorado State University and a Bachelors Degree in Tourism Economics from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Lauren is an accomplished Marketing and Advertising professional with extensive expertise in strategic planning, digital marketing, market research, project management, media buying, and campaign strategy. She has also attended various travel seminars to broaden her knowledge within the tourism industry. Prior to joining Destination Analysts, Lauren served as National Advertising Director for Smoky Mountain Living, where she successfully developed and executed marketing campaigns for CVBs, State Departments of Tourism, and other brands seeking assistance in brand positioning and business growth. Her proficiency in social media has earned her recognition from the NC Press Association. Lauren has also undertaken professional development ventures, including a study abroad mission in Costa Rica, and contractual work through Norwegian Cruise Lines in Hawaii. Lauren’s adept organizational skills and project management expertise ensure that every research project is delivered on time and to the highest standard.
Jennifer Griswold
For ten years, Jennifer managed and oversaw the research programs for state destination marketing organizations across three states. Prior to state-level tourism, Jennifer worked in hotels and pursued a master’s in business administration focused on marketing. Now, Jennifer leverages her passion for travel and tourism, analytical insights, and promotions as Destination Analysts’ Director of Marketing where she oversees the creation and deployment of content, social media, sponsorships, and advertising. Jennifer serves the travel and tourism community by participating on the Travel and Tourism Research Association international board of directors and is a frequent speaker at destination marketing events.
Mytho Vo
Mytho has held various roles across different departments at Destination Analysts, such as Research, Analytics, and Operations in which she’s developed a wide range of skills that contribute to our research programs from a holistic perspective. As Project Manager, she currently oversees the day-to-day movement of projects to ensure they are on target for on time delivery and meet our expected level of excellence. Her passion for coordination, communication and time management ensure successful project completion. In previous roles at the company, she has earned extensive experience leading field research to support comprehensive visitor profile studies on behalf of several major tourism destinations, from Los Angeles to Nashville. Mytho also lead Destination Analysts’ qualitative research studies, transcribing the findings into illuminating, actionable insights. Additionally, she managed data collection, analysis and reporting deliverable design including visually engaging infographics and traveler profile summaries that effectively illustrate the data’s story. In her spare time, she enjoys the great outdoors, testing new recipes on her fiancé and spending time with her two cats, chameleon, snake, two tortoises and bearded dragon.
Michelle "Queeny" Nalyanya
Michelle, also known as Queeny, started her time at Destination Analysts working as Administrative Assistant/Social Media Manager. Her ability to successfully juggle multiple internal projects made her the natural choice when Destination Analysts needed to expand the Operations Department. As Research Operations Manager, Queeny works closely with the Research and Analytics teams to ensure that their research runs smoothly through recruiting, survey programming/testing and coding. Prior to her time at Destination Analysts, Queeny worked as an Administrative Assistant at Oracle and as a Production Manager, responsible for many aspects of live music events. Queeny holds an Associates degree in Communications and Media Studies/Marketing.
Irene Leung
With nearly 5 years of experience, Irene returns to the travel and tourism industry leveraging her knowledge and expertise to support both the Research and Operations teams at Destination Analysts. She was formerly the Market Insights Manager at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Fluent in Spanish and Cantonese, Irene holds a Bachelor of Arts in English for Professional Communication from the City University of Hong Kong. When she is not working, she enjoys spending quality family time with her husband and two young children.
Chingun Ganzorig
As Destination Analysts’ Senior Analytics Research Manager, Chingun plays an instrumental role in data collection and analysis for Destination Analysts’ project reporting. His professionalism, tenacity, and optimism are essential in the punctual execution of Destination Analysts’ research studies. Chingun’s Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from San Jose State University allows for detailed and timely communications with Destination Analysts’ clients, as well as his critical analysis of data that results in actionable marketing insights. Prior to joining Destination Analysts, Chingun was an Account Manager at Yelp, helping businesses use the platform to achieve their customer and sales goals.
Andrew Pierce
As a Research Analyst at Destination Analysts, Andrew focuses on the collection, analysis and visualization of data for Destination Analysts. With just finishing up his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, Andrew brings a fresh perspective to the research conducted within Destination Analysts‘ research studies. His focus on software design with his degree allows him to efficiently utilize the many technical programs used by Destination Analysts for travel market research. Andrew’s knowledge from courses involving database construction and data manipulation allow him to proficiently work with the data collected by Destination Analysts and produce marketing insights for clients.
Ashley Schroeder
Ashley is a seasoned researcher with over 10 years of experience in travel and tourism. She has executed and overseen market research projects for several destinations and in cooperation with several industry associations and agencies. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Master of Science in Commercial Recreation and Tourism, and a Ph.D. in Commercial Recreation and Tourism from the University of Florida. Prior to her role as Data and Analytics Manager for Destination Analysts, Ashley was a faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, The Pennsylvania State University, and the University of South Carolina. She brings her passion for developing research-based solutions to challenging issues facing tourism, rigorous training in research methods and data analysis, and ability to translate data into actionable insights for the tourism industry. Ashley is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. Originally from upstate New York, she currently lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her two goldendoodles.
Marina Mills
Marina Mills is an experienced researcher proficient in data analysis, strategic insights, and research management. She has worked across various industries, employing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. As an Analytics Coordinator at Destination Analysts, Marina focuses on survey creation and data evaluation in the travel, tourism, and economic impact domains. In her previous roles, including Research Manager at Ravel and Senior Research Analyst at Influential, she conducted data analysis, A/B testing, and designed surveys to inform strategic decision-making. Marina‘s background also includes conducting interviews, usability studies, and concept tests as a Child Testing Research Analyst at Mattel, as well as managing data and conducting qualitative interviews remotely as a Research Associate II at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Stefanie Thompson
Stefanie has overseen the field research to support comprehensive visitor profile studies on behalf of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, Visit Big Sky and Visit Ludington, as well as numerous special event and festival attendee and economic impact studies. Before joining Destination Analysts, Stefanie gained a broad-based knowledge during her career by performing in various capacities in the tourism and real-estate industries, from executive administration to running her own business. She enjoys being challenged because it allows her to utilize her resourcefulness, while striving to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Henry Anyanwu
As a Field Research Manager at Destination Analysts, Henry oversees our field team in data collection. As a returning member of the team, Henry leverages his expertise to identify actionable insights from our research in several of our domestic markets. Henry has spent the majority of his career in the Sales industry, building his skills in client management, business and revenue reporting, inventory control, and site management. Outside of work, Henry enjoys cooking and audio engineering. During the pandemic, he used his time to invest in his music publishing company and to pursue culinary as an Executive Chef.
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We Are Tourism Industry Specialists
Destination Analysts is a travel and tourism market research firm based in San Francisco, California. We are a team of travel industry experts with extensive, hands-on experience working with some of the world’s greatest tourism brands and Destination Marketing Organizations. We are widely known for our pioneering, customized travel and tourism research that is second to none for its reliability, affordability and transparency. We not only assist clients with the interpretation of their research results but the architecture and execution of strategy based on that research. Our travel studies, The State of the International Traveler™ and The State of the American Traveler™ , are standards in the industry. We serve every type of Destination Marketing Organization and specialize in:
- Visitor Profiles
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Return on Investment Studies
- Destination Brand Research
- Website ROI
- Social Media ROI
- Website Usability Research
Please contact us to discuss your research needs.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
The Destination Analysts team does great work. With a DMO background, they understand the issues of importance to destinations and stay true to the purpose of the project. We have worked with them consistently since 2011, and they have not ceased to be thorough, responsive, and a pleasure to work with.
Destination Analysts provides us with crucial research and insights that we use to improve our marketing and sales efforts. Their data on ROI, traveler motivations and consumer behaviors guides us in our decision making and execution of our programs.
Thanks so much for being so conscientious in all our projects over the past ten years. Your wonderful insight and impeccable attention to detail are very much appreciated. I love working with you because I know your work will be top-notch every single time.
San Francisco Travel Association has been working with Destination Analysts for years and we appreciate their exceptional knowledge of the tourism industry and customer service. They are wonderful to work with and we highly recommend them as anyone’s research partner. Most recently they have executed a Website ROI Study, an Awareness & Understanding Study and we currently have two different Visitor Profile Surveys in the field.
