Google unveiled a cluster of new AI-driven features at a press event in New York City this week.
Spokespeople for the technology company said that while these tools are designed to help consumers plan and book trips, advisors could also use them when helping clients.
The company also unveiled its latest travel trends research, based on its search engine and its Gemini AI chatbot.
AI Overviews in Search
Users can ask for trip ideas for distinct regions and entire countries. Consumers who search for something like “create an itinerary for Costa Rica with a focus on nature” will get a sample itinerary full of sightseeing and dining options.
Hotel Price Tracking
Following its popular Google Flights tool, the company has launched this solution at google.com/hotels. Browsers need only tap the price-tracking toggle below the search filters, and they’ll get an email alert if prices go down.
AI-Powered Tour Guide
Lens in the Google app enables users to point their cameras, ask a question and get an AI Overview with insights, plus links to learn more on the web.
Gemini as a Personal Assistant
Available at no cost, Gemini’s Gems feature provides access to a travel guide customized to their needs and plans to suggest destinations, tips and tricks, and more.
Google hotel price tracking tool. (Photo Credit: Google)
Screenshot Capture in Google Maps
Consumers can turn their own screenshots into summer plans with Google Maps. They can allow Maps access to the user’s photos, and it will automatically identify places captured in the screenshot and prompt the user to review and save the ones they want to visit to a ‘Screenshots’ list.
Crag Ewer, communications manager for Search, told TravelPulse that while Google has not worked with advisors on these products, they provide “a vast base of resources” they can use and enable them to be more productive in their roles. Jessca (Levis) Boord, Google Gemini and assistant communications manager, agreed that the tools have “great potential” for advisors who choose to use them.
Latest Google Travel Trends
As for trends, the top 10 domestic destinations on Google Flights in order were: San Juan; Billings, MT; Nantucket; St. Louis; Providence, RI: Maui; Omaha; Juneau; Bangor, Maine; and Madison, WI. The top 10 internationally were: Curacao, Osaka, St. Lucia, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Cairo and Aruba.
Iao Valley State Park Maui. (photo via Claudette Covey)
Destinations with easy access to the outdoors trended strongly, including Billings, Juneau, and Bangor. And along those same lines, “cabins” are the top-trending type of lodging for romantic getaways, and “dude ranch” is the top-trending type of vacation for families in the U.S. this year. For shorter weekend getaways, outdoor destinations like upstate New York, Joshua Tree National Park and Sedona, Arizona are also trending on Search.
One other item of note cited in the presentation was that, historically, searches for “carry-on bags” surpassed “checked bags.” But in recent years, “checked bags” have been searched more than ever. In fact, "vacuum bags” and “compression packing cubes” are top-trending searches for “best [X subject] for travel.
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