Google is transitioning into its Gemini era, as stated by its CEO during the latest developer conference. This has been demonstrated through the release of new consumer-facing products and partnerships with travel companies. With several recent announcements, Google is making a significant impact on the travel industry, with more innovations expected to come. In early April, Carrie Tharp, vice president of strategic industries for Google Cloud, revealed that there will be more developments in the travel space, setting the stage for discussions at the Skift Data + AI Summit in New York City.
Google has introduced a range of AI-powered features across its products for consumers, enhancing trip planning capabilities. Maps now offers key photos and reviews for restaurants and places, as well as summaries for electric vehicle charging stations. New AI features have been integrated into physical products like laptops and mobile phones, enabling translation of content on screens without switching apps through the Circle to Search tool, released earlier this year. These advancements demonstrate Google’s commitment to enhancing user experiences and convenience through AI technology.
Sabre, a leading technology provider for the travel industry, has also partnered with Google to introduce its new retailing platform for airlines called SabreMosaic. This platform utilizes Google’s AI capabilities to create personalized retail experiences for airlines, similar to online shopping experiences on platforms like Amazon. SabreMosaic offers a variety of products to help airlines improve their operations, personalize marketing, and increase customer satisfaction. Several airlines are already testing this platform, demonstrating the potential for significant revenue growth in airline retailing by 2030 as estimated by McKinsey.
Alaska Airlines is leveraging AI technology from OpenAI and Google to develop new trip planning tools for its customers. The airline has already tested a simple trip planner and plans to release a more advanced version later this year that incorporates multiple Google travel technologies. This enhanced trip planner allows users to search in everyday language and receive an interactive map with filter options for airport of departure, trip length, and cost. By harnessing Google’s AI capabilities, Alaska Airlines aims to provide a more comprehensive and intuitive travel planning experience for its customers.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is another company tapping into the power of Google’s AI technology to enhance its trip planning capabilities. The hotel chain plans to release a trip planning tool within its One Rewards mobile app, focusing on the “dreaming phase” of travel planning. This AI-powered chatbot will be able to answer specific questions and provide recommendations for events and attractions bookings. By enabling users to ask detailed questions such as dining options near a specific hotel or pet policies in a hotel in Tokyo, IHG aims to enhance the overall travel experience for its customers through personalized and relevant information.
Overall, Google’s generative AI model is revolutionizing the travel industry by powering next-generation technologies and enhancing the user experience across various platforms. From trip planning features in Google products to retailing platforms for airlines, companies like Sabre, Alaska Airlines, and IHG are leveraging Google’s AI capabilities to streamline operations, improve customer service, and drive revenue growth. As more travel companies embrace AI technology, the future of travel looks more personalized, efficient, and seamless for consumers. With further innovations expected, Google’s influence in the travel space is set to grow significantly in the coming years.
