Expedia launches travel planning service powered by ChatGPT

The AI-powered in-app 'travel advisor' recommends hotels and attractions, and logs places of interest

Expedia has announced the beta launch of a new in-app travel planning experience powered by ChatGPT, the AI software. 

In this initial trial phase, Expedia members can now start an open-ended conversation in the Expedia app and get recommendations on places to go, where to stay, how to get around and what to see and do. 

The new trip-planning experience automatically saves hotels discussed in the conversation to a “trip” in the app, helping members stay organised and making it easier for them to check hotel availability and add on bookings for flights, cars and activities. It also allows members to get benefits, such as exclusive discounts and rewards.

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Peter Kern, vice chairman and CEO, Expedia Group, said: “Every great trip can be made or lost while planning and shopping. By integrating ChatGPT into the Expedia app and combining it with our other AI-based shopping capabilities, like hotel comparison, price tracking for flights and trip collaboration tools, we can now offer travellers an even more intuitive way to build their perfect trip.”

Expedia also recently built a plugin for ChatGPT so a traveller can start a conversation directly on the ChatGPT site and select the Expedia plugin to bring a trip to life. When they’re ready to book, they go straight to Expedia. 

Despite advancements, there are still challenges with ChatGPT, which include information being outdated and inaccurate. 

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