• Google is rolling out new AI-powered travel planning features across Search, Maps, and Gemini.
  • The updates aim to provide tailored recommendations, itinerary planning, and real-time travel insights.
  • The move strengthens Google’s position as a one-stop vacation planning resource.

Google has unveiled a new suite of AI-powered vacation planning features, integrating them into Search, Maps, and its Gemini AI model.

With more and more users turning to OpenAI's ChatGPT for planning itineraries, the new features in Google Search's AI Overviews aim to help users get trip ideas for certain regions or countries.

The latest update allows travellers to leverage Google AI's capabilities to refine their trip research — whether by browsing curated destination guides, comparing flights and accommodations, or receiving AI-generated travel itineraries tailored to their interests.

Meanwhile, Google Maps now provides enhanced location-based suggestions, offering insights on attractions, restaurants, and popular activities tailored to user preferences.

A simple search like "Create an itinerary for Hawaii with a focus on mountains" will generate trip ideas, along with photos, reviews, and an expandable map showing relevant locations.

When the user is ready to finalize the itinerary, they can simply tap “Export” and will have the recommendations shared via Docs or Gmail. Alternatively, it can be saved as a custom list in Google Maps.

Google's AI, Gemini, on the other hand, enhances travel planning with smarter and dynamic suggestions.

Gemini can analyze user preferences, past searches, and travel trends to generate itinerary recommendations. It also offers real-time updates on travel conditions, weather, and local events, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

Google is also offering its Gemini’s Gems feature to all users for free. Gems allow users to create customized AI assistants for various tasks within Gemini.

While Google has long offered flight price drop alerts, it is now extending this feature to hotels.

Users can track hotel prices for specific dates and locations, applying filters like star ratings or beach access. If prices drop, Google will send an email notification.

The hotel price tracking feature is launching this week on phone and desktop browsers.

Google Maps is introducing a feature that turns travel screenshots into vacation plans. By granting the app access to photos, users can automatically detect and save locations from screenshots.

Saved spots will appear on the map for easy planning. The feature is rolling out this week in the U.S. for iOS and will soon follow with an Android launch.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah