In the lead-up to the summer holidays, Google is announcing a series of travel updates that place you directly in the travel planning process and provide more insight into purchase intent in the travel space.
First, Google is rolling out an update to its Search Generative Experience (SGE) that lets users create travel itineraries and travel ideas using AI, the company announced Wednesday.
This new feature is currently available in English only to users in the United States who are enrolled in Search Labs, a program to try out the early Google search experience and share feedback. This feature collects ideas, reviews, photos, and other details that people send to Google about places around the world from sites across the web.
When a user asks something like, “Plan a 3-day history-themed trip to Philadelphia,” they get a sample itinerary with attractions and restaurants, as well as hourly summaries of flight and hotel options. will be displayed separately. Day.
As of now, there is no option to purchase itineraries on the spot or to take part in any services or experiences. Once you're happy with your itinerary, you can export it to Gmail, Docs, or Maps.
Google has not commented on when or if it will roll this out more broadly. But it does show that the company is experimenting with where and how its AI engine can be applied. Many players in the travel industry may be looking at the role that generative AI will play in travel services in the coming years. Some are excited, others are cautious. But even now, startups like Mindtrip and Layla, which provide users with access to AI assistants designed to help them plan their trips, are already actively promoting this.
But with this new update, Google is taking on startups like this, as well as understanding travel purchase intent (which helps with its broader advertising business) and what appetite users have for such services. We are also collecting data on
Image credit: Google
Google also announced that it will make it easier to find featured listings in Google Maps in some cities in the United States and Canada. When you search for a city on Maps, you'll now see a list of recommended places from both publishers like The Infatuation and other users. You'll also see a curated list of top, trending, and hidden gem restaurants in over 40 U.S. cities.
Finally, the company is adding new tools to help you customize the lists you create, allowing you to better organize your travel plans and share your favorite spots with friends and family. You can choose the order in which locations appear in the list, so you can sort them by favorites or chronologically like an itinerary. Additionally, you can link to content on your social channels.