IHG Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Google Cloud to introduce a revolutionary AI-driven planning tool in the IHG One Rewards mobile app, aimed at enhancing how travelers plan their vacations.
Slated for release in the latter half of 2024, this initiative will feature an array of new functionalities designed to enrich the digital experience for hotel guests. The centerpiece, IHG’s Travel Planner, will provide personalized travel recommendations and ideas tailored to user preferences, ranging from broad queries to specific requests.
Jolie Fleming, IHG’s Chief Product & Technology Officer, emphasized the benefits of this collaboration, stating, “By partnering with Google Cloud on AI innovation, we aim to simplify and enrich the travel planning process. Our Travel Planner will leverage advanced generative AI technology to help users explore potential destinations from our extensive network of over 6,000 hotels across 19 brands in more than 100 countries.”
The Travel Planner is expected to transform the IHG One Rewards app into a comprehensive mobile travel guide, enabling users to seamlessly create itineraries and book accommodations with just a few taps. Following its launch, IHG plans to introduce additional features to further enhance user experience.
This development is part of IHG’s strategic investment in digital technology and its loyalty program, which are crucial for driving customer loyalty and engagement. Collaborating with Google Cloud will facilitate rapid deployment of new, traveler-preferred features.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian also commented on the partnership, saying, “Our collaboration with IHG is reshaping not just travel planning, but also how customers engage with brands. The integration of generative AI in this project showcases our technical prowess and IHG’s dedication to service, setting a new standard in digital guest experiences within the hospitality industry.”
