Expedia Launches Tests for AI-Enhanced Search and Travel Planning Features

To stay competitive in the travel industry, online travel agency Expedia is set to unveil a new AI assistant designed to enhance key functionalities such as search, itinerary creation, trip planning, and real-time notifications, including flight delays.

The company, known for its various online travel aggregators and metasearch engines, is launching a chatbot named Romie. This innovative tool has been developed using a blend of proprietary and OpenAI models, enabling it to assist users in searching for hotels, creating travel itineraries, and making minor adjustments to plans. Users can interact with Romie through iMessage group chats or in one-on-one conversations on WhatsApp, where it operates behind a designated phone number, leveraging ChatGPT's capabilities.

Engaging with Romie is simple: just mention the bot on iMessage to get a summary of an itinerary or restaurant recommendations. Romie can also navigate users directly to the Expedia app with helpful links.

Expedia is introducing a smart search feature on its website, allowing users to describe their hotel preferences in natural language rather than sorting through traditional filters. For example, typing “rooftop with a view of the sea” will yield hotel options that meet those criteria.

Currently, these features are being tested with a select group of users through the EG Labs program, which enables U.S.-based users to experience the new functionalities.

Expedia utilizes data from sources like AccuWeather and Yelp to enhance its search capabilities and the bot's suggestions. This allows for timely updates on flight changes and weather conditions, even recommending hotels near the airport in the event of a flight cancellation.

Last year, Expedia began exploring AI with a ChatGPT-based travel planning experience, and it appears to be expanding AI integration into its core offerings.

Competitors in the travel sector are also making strides. Booking.com introduced AI-driven trip planning features in June 2023, while Airbnb has tested AI-assisted review summaries and aims to develop what it calls the “ultimate concierge.” In March, Kayak debuted a conversational tool and a price comparison feature based on screenshots.

Startups are leveraging AI-powered functionalities to challenge established travel platforms. Mindtrip, backed by Costanoa Ventures, is creating an AI travel agent, while Pilot, based in Vancouver, is utilizing AI to enhance social travel planning.

The company Layla boasts investments from firstminute capital, M13, Booking.com co-founder Andy Phillipps, Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith, and Paris Hilton. It is developing an all-encompassing travel recommendation app using existing data and creator content. Earlier this year, Layla also acquired FLYR.com and the AI itinerary builder Roam Around, backed by Jason Calacanis.

Rathi Murthy, CTO of Expedia Group, expressed confidence in Romie's potential to distinguish itself in a crowded marketplace. He stated, “While the market is flooded with AI assistants, having an AI assistant that functions as a travel agent, personal assistant, and concierge—available to proactively manage changes throughout your entire journey—is truly revolutionary. […] We’re leveraging the Expedia experience beyond our platform and into popular channels like iMessage and WhatsApp, which I believe is a unique advantage.”

Murthy noted that while Romie is not yet available for WhatsApp group chats, this limitation is due to the dynamics of group interactions rather than technical challenges.

Additionally, Expedia plans to launch a cross-date price comparison tool, an AI-powered help page, and guest review summaries as part of its upcoming spring update.

This strategic move by Expedia emphasizes its commitment to harnessing AI technology to enhance the travel experience.