Expedia Group unveils EG Labs, a new innovation hub for tech-enthusiastic travelers in the U.S.
EG Labs debuts with Project Explorer, an AI-driven trip planner, accessible through Expedia’s Apple app, streamlining travel discovery with instant recommendations based on interests, location, time of year, and budget.
Expedia has announced a series of enhancements to its apps, including Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, set to be rolled out by the end of 2023.
The new trip planner facilitates seamless collaboration among travelers within the apps. Users can view and manage their booked and saved options, encompassing flights, activities, accommodations, and rental cars. Additionally, users can ‘like’ and leave comments on these choices.
Expedia and Hotels.com apps now offer dynamic travel guides for popular cities worldwide, featuring real-time hotel prices, crowd levels, and weather conditions. A generative AI feature aids users in discovering ideal neighborhoods for their hotel stays based on their interests.
Generative AI is employed to sift through guest reviews and provide answers to user questions about accommodations and amenities, eliminating the need to read all reviews individually.
Flexible date searches have been incorporated into all three apps, allowing users to refine their search results by adjusting their travel dates.
In the U.S., the Expedia and Hotels.com apps showcase travel stories curated by influencers to inspire users.
Expedia has streamlined self-service options, enabling users to make voluntary flight changes and easily add hotel booking information to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet on the Expedia app. On both the Expedia and Hotels.com apps, users can add breakfast to their reservations, subject to availability, up until one day before check-in.
(Source: Jamie Biesiada | Travel Weekly)
