Google’s latest travel updates enhance trip planning with AI, offering itinerary building and insights into consumer intent in the travel market.
As the summer vacation period approaches, Google is unveiling a series of updates related to travel, positioning itself prominently in the journey planning landscape and gaining significant insights into consumer behavior in the travel market.
The headline feature is the introduction of an enhancement to Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), aimed at enabling users to craft detailed travel itineraries and brainstorm trip ideas with the help of AI, as revealed by the company this Wednesday.
This newly introduced feature, presently accessible only to English-speaking users in the U.S. who are part of Search Labs—a platform by Google for testing early versions of search functionalities and gathering user feedback—leverages insights gathered from various online sources. It incorporates user reviews, images, and comprehensive details provided to Google about global destinations.
For instance, a request such as “organize a three-day historical tour of Philadelphia for me” will prompt a suggested itinerary. This itinerary will showcase a selection of historical attractions and dining options, complemented by a summary of flight and hotel alternatives, arranged according to different times of the day.
At this stage, the itineraries serve a planning purpose only, with no direct booking options provided. Once satisfied with the planned itinerary, users have the option to export it to Gmail, Docs, or Maps.
While Google has yet to disclose any plans for a broader rollout, this initiative highlights its exploration into potential applications of its AI technology within various sectors, including travel. The emergence of generative AI in travel services is being closely watched by the industry, with mixed reactions. Meanwhile, startups such as Mindtrip and Layla are forging ahead with AI-powered travel planning assistants.
Through this update, not only is Google stepping into the arena with these innovators, but it’s also enhancing its data collection on travel-related consumer interests—information that’s invaluable for its advertising segment and understanding user demand for such innovations.
In addition, Google is simplifying the process of finding recommended lists on Google Maps in selected U.S. and Canadian cities. When searching for a city in Maps, users can now access recommendations from publishers like The Infatuation and other community members. Moreover, Maps now features curated lists of top dining spots, including trendy and under-the-radar restaurants, in over forty U.S. cities.
To further aid in personalizing travel planning, Google is introducing tools for users to customize their lists, enabling them to organize locations by preference or in a sequence that suits a travel itinerary. Additionally, these lists can now be enhanced with links to content from users’ social media channels, making it easier to share discoveries with others.
The post Design Your Ideal Trip with Google’s New AI Travel Tools appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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