Travelers will be able to plan a trip more smoothly with Booking.com’s new mobile feature. Pic: Pexels

Travel platform Booking.com launches new mobile feature to curate experiences

By | 19 September, 2016

BOOKING.COM, a popular travel and hotel booking website, has launched a new in-app feature that will utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning to curate more personalized experiences for its customers.

The feature, called Booking Experiences, can be accessed via the app but is currently only available in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Rome, and Dubai, as well as New York later this year – and since the website has been actively operating in Europe for 16 years and in Asia Pacific just seven, this is no surprise.

Booking Experiences lets travelers get instant booking access to all participating venues and attractions if they book trips to cities where the feature is available, making the hassle of planning things to do during a trip much easier.

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According to a statement, the feature also uses AI to learn a user’s traveling habits and movements. Using data gleaned from reviews of participating venues, along with information on where the traveler has been before or rated positively, the app is able to provide more personalized suggestions and enhance their experience.

David Vismans, Chief Product Officer at Booking.com, said: “With Booking Experiences, our passion for data-driven insights, our deep knowledge of travel and our ambition to smartly infuse Artificial Intelligence technology into our product are all coming together to create a new, uniquely mobile travel experience that’s curated, seamless and personal.

“The technology behind Booking Experiences will continuously learn from your travel preferences, as well as other travelers like you, to eventually present you with increasingly curated options that are just right for you. Our ultimate goal is to keep you inspired, regardless of whether it’s your first—or fifth time visiting a particular location.”

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It is still unclear when the new feature will be available in Asian cities, but according to Booking.com’s Managing Director for APAC Oliver Hua in a Web In Travel interview, the company has been ramping up efforts in the region to boost its presence here.

He was quoted saying: “There are so many opportunities still for Booking. There is still a lot more we need to do to build the brand and grow our business.”



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