Book hotels on TikTok
TikTok is expanding its push into e-commerce with a new integration that lets users book hotels directly through the app via Booking.com. Travellers in the US can now browse hotel landing pages featuring room rates, amenities, reviews, and nearby attractions, alongside TikTok videos showcasing the property. Users can also tag hotels in their content, making travel planning and booking a more seamless part of the platform experience. This move builds on TikTok’s strategy of turning the app into more than just a social platform, following earlier partnerships with Ticketmaster and Fandango to sell event tickets.
Alongside bookings, TikTok has launched a creator monetisation program in the US called TikTok Go, which allows influencers to earn commissions or vouchers from hotels, restaurants, and other venues by promoting them in videos. Eligible creators need at least 1,000 followers and an account in good standing to participate. The program, which has been described by creators as more accessible than previous monetisation options, could open up new revenue streams for travel influencers, though commissions from big-ticket items like hotel stays may be less frequent than from everyday items on TikTok Shop.
Serious risks in using ChatGPT with hotel guest data
Ireckonu has issued a warning to the hospitality industry about the risks of using public AI tools like ChatGPT with sensitive guest information. CEO Jan Jaap van Roon stressed that hotels experimenting with generative AI without safeguards face not only legal consequences but also potential damage to long-standing guest trust. The concern lies in the possibility of exposing personal data, such as names, preferences, and booking histories, to external servers, often outside of strong regulatory jurisdictions. Such practices could result in violations of data protection laws like GDPR and leave hotels vulnerable to heavy fines.
As a solution, Ireckonu advocates for private, internal AI models that operate within a hotel’s own ecosystem, ensuring both compliance and security while still enabling personalisation and automation. Van Roon emphasised the need for investment in secure infrastructure, proper staff training, and clear internal policies, pointing to platforms like Microsoft Copilot as safer alternatives. The company is also calling on hotels, technology providers, industry associations, and regulators to develop global standards and best practices before a major data scandal forces change.
Trip.com launches AI-powered Trip Planner
Trip.com has launched Trip.Planner, an AI-powered hub designed to integrate flights, trains, hotels, restaurants, and attractions into a single itinerary, allowing users to plan and book directly without switching between apps. Backed by real-time transport data and over 20 million geo-tagged points of interest, Trip.Planner tailors recommendations based on user preferences, trip duration, and travel style – whether family-friendly, cultural, budget-conscious, or focused on nature and cityscapes. According to Trip.com Co-founder and Chairman James Liang, the tool combines “reliable data with rich itinerary management to redefine how travellers plan their journeys.”
Travellers can also get expert-vetted recommendations via the in-app AI chat and easily adjust their plans using a flexible, canvas-style editor. Existing Trip.com bookings can be imported into itineraries, while a floating AI button provides on-demand suggestions as plans evolve. “With Trip.Planner, we are offering a truly smart assistant that adapts to user preferences, simplifies decision-making, and puts joy back into trip planning,” said Bonnie Bao, Director of Product for Itinerary & Map at Trip.com Group. The service is now live across select English-language markets including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and more, with further expansion planned.
Multi-day tours poised to be travel experiences’ next high-growth frontier
The multi-day tours sector is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments in travel, with Arival estimating pre-pandemic global sales at US$89 billion across 10,000 operators. After recovering from COVID-19 disruptions, many companies have now returned to or surpassed pre-2020 revenue levels, driven by rising traveler demand for curated, hassle-free itineraries that go beyond single-day excursions. Industry data shows bookings for multi-day trips surged at an annual rate of 26.6% over the past three years, reaching US$12.1 billion in 2024. Travellers are increasingly seeking immersive experiences, including customized trips and group itineraries designed for solo travelers, combining cultural depth with convenience.
“This is no longer a niche. The multi-day segment is becoming a core growth driver for the experiences industry,” said Arival CEO Douglas Quinby.
Google expands AI Mode in global rollout with smarter travel tools
Google is expanding AI Mode to more than 180 new countries and territories, widening access to its most advanced AI-powered search experience beyond the U.S., U.K. and India. The rollout comes with new features focused on personalisation and agent-like capabilities, including enhanced tools for booking restaurant reservations, local appointments and event tickets. In the U.S., Google AI Ultra subscribers can test these capabilities through Labs, with integrations across OpenTable, Resy, Tock, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Booksy. Users can specify details such as date, time, party size and cuisine type, with AI Mode providing tailored results and direct booking links.
The company is also testing more personalised recommendations, where AI Mode suggests restaurants and cuisines based on prior searches and conversations, as well as a new link-sharing feature that lets users share AI results and collaborate on searches. Separately, Google introduced Magic Cue for its Pixel 10 series, which anticipates user needs in real time, such as suggesting flight arrival details from email when a friend asks via text. Google emphasised that Magic Cue operates with user privacy in mind, treating data securely and allowing users to toggle the feature on or off.
