Expedia launches in-app travel planning experience powered by ChatGPT

Expedia is embracing AI tech with ChatGPT now being integrated within its mobile app. Expedia members can now start open-ended conversations in the Expedia app and get recommendations on places to go, where to stay, how to get around, and what to see and do based on the chat. 

The new offering also allows travellers to bring in intelligent shopping by automatically saving hotels discussed in the conversation to a “trip” in the app, helping members stay organised and making it easier for them to start choosing dates, checking availability, and adding on flights, cars or activities, according to Expedia.

The collaboration with OpenAI is currently in the beta testing phase, allowing Expedia to evolve the experience based on how members interact with it. It added that while many measures have been taken to limit inaccurate results and inappropriate responses, at times, the experience may not work exactly as expected. Feedback from both Expedia's employees and those using the service will be continually looked at to make sure responses meet its standards.

Expedia added that it also already integrates AI and machine learning (ML) throughout its platform to create a seamless experience from planning to post-booking. Below are examples of how this comes to life for travellers:

• To help travellers shop, AI and ML are used to deliver personalised and relevant trip options out of 1.26 quadrillion variables such as hotel location, room type, date ranges, price points and much more.
• For confidence in flight booking, price tracking uses Expedia’s comprehensive flight data, AI and ML to compare today’s flight price with historical price trends and track price fluctuations, so travellers can confidently decide when to book and earn rewards.
• For unexpected trip changes, travellers can resolve issues quickly using Expedia’s AI-powered Virtual agent available 24/7.

Expedia also recently built a plug-in 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 travellers are ready to book, they go straight to Expedia.

Don't miss: GPT-4 for dummies: 101 on the even more powerful version of ChatGPT

"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 travelers an even more intuitive way to build their perfect trip," said Peter Kern, vice chairman and CEO, Expedia Group.

The conversational trip planning beta experience is currently rolling out globally in the English language on the Expedia iOS app.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Expedia for more information. 

This isn't the first company to integrate ChatGPT into its system. In February, Coca-Cola set to begin experimenting with AI tools such as ChatGPT when it comes to its digital and marketing communications, according to media reports. 

The beverage company said that it will be collaborating with management consultancy firm Bain & Co. to explore the use of AI tools such as Codex, DALL.E and ChatGPT. The news comes after Bain & Co. implemented  OpenAI into its own operations. The company is now assisting its clients as they themselves explore and integrate this technology into their brands. 

Content 360 is back on 10-11 May 2023 in Singapore. A hugely popular event over the years, Content 360 brings the most influential content creators to inspire you. Across two days, you can connect with 300+ brightest minds in the industry and learn how to overcome challenges to make your content stand out among the crowd. Tickets are on sale now, register today: https://conferences.marketing-interactive.com/content360-sg/

Related articles: 
Expedia HK flight search soars with relaxations of quarantine arrangements
Expedia launches campaign to push travel confidence
Tourism Malaysia and Expedia Group join hands for global marketing campaigns