Google announced on March 27 a collection of new features — some powered by AI — aimed at helping users plan their summer vacations. As travelers increasingly turn to AI tools such as ChatGPT to organize trips faster and more efficiently, Google is clearly positioning itself to benefit from that shift.
AI Overviews will offer a trip itinerary
Google’s first travel planning feature is available in AI Overviews, which are AI-generated summaries of search results that appear at the top of the search results page in Google. Users can enter travel-related queries into Google, and AI Overviews will return tailored suggestions.
For example, a search for “create an itinerary for a three day weekend in San Francisco” generates activity recommendations for each day, along with results for flights and hotels. An expandable map of the geographic area also appears in the right-hand column. Once users finalize their plans, they can export the itinerary to Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Maps, or copy the text for use elsewhere. This is only available for English-language searches on both mobile and desktop.
Currently, this feature includes a disclaimer that reads: “Generative AI is experimental. Trip ideas may include inaccurate or misleading information.”
Google Maps will analyze trip-related screenshots
If you mostly plan trips by taking screenshots of TikTok or Instagram videos, Google Maps now offers an AI tool that can turn those images into actionable itineraries.
After granting access to their photo library, users will see Google Maps identify locations mentioned in the screenshots and provide options to save them. These saved places are then compiled into a list and mapped to support itinerary building.
The feature launched in the U.S. on iOS last week, with an Android rollout to follow.
Expanded tools: Gemini Gems and hotel price alerts
Google is also expanding the availability for Gemini Gems, which will now be free for everyone. These tools allow users to create custom AI-powered apps for any task in the Gemini AI model, including travel planning. For example, Gemini can help pick a destination or offer packing suggestions.
In addition to its existing flight price drop alerts, Google is now introducing the same feature for hotels. Users can input their dates and destination, and add more filters such as star rating and beach access if they wish. Once the alerts are enabled, Google will send an email if hotel prices that fulfill the criteria drop. This feature launched globally on mobile and desktop last week.