Google Follows ChatGPT With New AI-Powered Trip-Planning Tools

DALLAS - The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) announced at the 2024 Travel Advisor Conference that it would be making changes to its Verified Travel Advisor Certification program.

Thailand’s government on June 4 approved a new tax break for companies organizing local conventions and seminars to boost domestic tourism during the country’s low tourism season. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts introduces new properties across various destinations for spring and summer, featuring wellness, adventure, and cultural experiences.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, May 29. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Google is fully in its Gemini era. That’s what the CEO said during the tech giant’s latest developer conference, and we’re seeing it with the company’s own consumer-facing products, and also through partnerships with travel companies.

When traveling between two destinations, flying isn’t always the fastest option. Train stations are often located in city centers, making them easier and quicker to get to/from than an airport. You also don’t have to factor in time spent going through security like you do at an airport.

CEO Andre Viljoen is leading Fiji Airways through a time of record growth and change. His airline only has 20 aircraft (including Fiji Link regional planes), but operates an impressive hub-and-spoke network that optimizes aircraft use via a robust schedule connecting all corners of the Pacific Ocean through Fiji. Viljoen comes to Fiji Airways after a distinguished career leading another island carrier, Air Mauritius.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is inviting cyclists to experience Tennessee on 52 new curated road cycling routes that wind their way through the state’s picturesque landscapes. The new program, Bike Tennessee, launched today at BikeTN.com and allows cyclists to engage with the routes using the app Ride with GPS. “From our music to our makers, Tennessee is a state full of storytellers and our beauty is unmatched,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD. “As travelers increasingly seek sustainable and authentic experiences, we invite them to explore our scenic routes and discover the charm of our small towns. We are pleased to partner with Ride with GPS and showcase the hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes that define our state.”

Generation Z — people born between 1997 and 2012 — is a large market in the travel industry. Skift Research revealed in a January report that 75% of Gen Z travelers in the U.S., U.K., and Germany had taken two or more trips during the previous 12 months.

Generative artificial intelligence has made a big leap in the past few weeks, some of the most significant advancements since it came on the scene 18 months ago.

Kristina Samples is appointed as the General Manager of The Grill Room at Windsor Court. New Sommelier of The Grill Room is Eric De Santis.

Skyscanner introduces Savvy Search, a novel AI-powered feature utilizing OpenAI’s ChatGPT to offer tailored travel suggestions from vast flight options and detailed destination insights directly in the app.