Travel planning can be a tedious and overwhelming task, involving a myriad of emails, messages, and coordination with friends and family. Last year, Expedia Group’s chief technology officer, Rathi Murthy, found herself in a similar situation while planning a reunion trip and described it as a “nightmare.” However, on Tuesday at the Explore partner conference in Las Vegas, Expedia unveiled a solution to this problem – an AI assistant named Romie.
Romie is not just your typical AI assistant; it is designed to be your travel agent, concierge, and personal assistant all in one. The name “Romie” itself is a nod to helping travelers “roam” the world effortlessly. While the alpha version of Romie is currently available on Expedia’s digital space, EG Labs, the official launch date is yet to be announced.
Romie’s primary function is to assist travelers in planning, shopping, and booking their travel arrangements. Additionally, Romie can help travelers navigate unexpected changes like weather disruptions by providing alternative suggestions. One of Romie’s unique features is its ability to join SMS group chats, offering advice, summarizing the conversation, and seamlessly integrating the details into Expedia’s booking experience. Moreover, Romie learns and adapts to the user’s preferences over time, such as favorite hotel types, cuisines, and travel companions.
In addition to booking assistance, Romie can also help users build comprehensive travel itineraries by pulling information from emails, suggesting nearby activities and restaurants, and monitoring potential disruptions like weather changes. The real-time updates on the itinerary make sharing with friends and family outside the travel group easy and convenient, especially for coordinating airport pickups and drop-offs.
Expedia’s commitment to revolutionizing the travel industry extends beyond just traveler assistance. At the Explore conference, Lauri Metrose introduced Travel Shops, a platform designed to empower content creators and influencers to curate their favorite travel recommendations into a digital storefront. This innovative approach allows influencers to earn commissions on bookings, making them the new age travel agents equipped with the right tools.
One of the key benefits of Travel Shops is streamlining the travel content consumption process for consumers. Rather than sifting through influencers’ social media channels for past recommendations, consumers can now access curated travel content in one place. Expedia’s CMO, Jochen Koedijk, emphasized the platform’s aim to reinvent how consumers engage with travel content on social media, providing a seamless and convenient experience.
Expedia’s AI assistant Romie and the introduction of Travel Shops mark a significant shift in the travel industry towards personalized, efficient, and engaging travel planning experiences. With Romie’s innovative features and Travel Shops’ empowering platform for influencers, travelers can expect a seamless and enriching journey from start to finish. Expedia’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the travel experience reinforces its position as a pioneer in the industry.