Google’s AI Travel Planner: Your Ticket to Visualizing Your Adventures

Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to describe their upcoming trips to its AI Mode in search. By selecting the “Create with Canvas” option, users can generate detailed itineraries in a side panel that includes information on flights and hotels. The generated document provides potential plans, suggestions based on user inputs, as well as photos and reviews sourced from Google Maps.

Users can further customize the generated plans by asking follow-up questions or making additional requests, such as seeking hotel recommendations based on pricing and amenities, or activities based on travel duration. This new travel planning feature is currently available to users in the US who have opted into AI Mode in Labs, with the created plans being saved in the AI Mode’s history.

The Canvas feature, initially launched as a dynamic workspace for Gemini, has now been integrated into AI Mode in Search. Google had previously announced trip planning capabilities for Gemini, but this latest development brings these features closer to a wider audience. This move may pose a challenge for other travel companies like Kayak and Expedia, who are also investing in AI-powered functionalities.

In addition to travel planning, Google is expanding the range of activities that can be booked through AI Mode. Users in the US can now utilize AI Mode’s agent for automated booking of event tickets, local appointments, and restaurant reservations. The platform provides a list of options with direct links to finalize bookings through Google’s partner platforms, including OpenTable, Resy, Tock, Ticketmaster, StubHub, and SeatGeek.

Google has also formed partnerships with leading hotel companies and online booking platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott International, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to enable agentic booking for flights and accommodations in the future. Furthermore, Google has expanded its AI-powered Flight Deals search in Google Flights to provide users worldwide with access to discounted airfares, available in over 200 countries and territories and supporting more than 60 languages.