AI bot can help you book the right hotel room

Sick of hearing about AI?

Join the club.

But digital travel platform Agoda has just introduced the Room Grid Bot, an AI-powered chat assistant designed to help travellers decide which room to book.

Available in the Agoda mobile app, the new tool recommends rooms suited to their specific needs.

Agoda says it offers travellers a wide selection of room options when booking a hotel, with room types and offers varying by occupancy, cancellation terms, meal inclusions, and price.

The Room Grid Bot addresses this by using travellers' current search details and the preferences they share in the conversation to recommend the most relevant options.

These recommendations appear directly within the chat, helping travellers narrow down their choices without needing to compare every listing manually.

Bookers can access the bot from the room-selection page after tapping "Select room" on a hotel's property page in the Agoda app. 

They can start a conversation by tapping the "Need help choosing a room? Let AI help you" banner without leaving the room-selection page.

Travellers can ask the bot to find options with specific inclusions, such as free breakfast, or to answer relevant property questions, such as check-in times. The Bot also highlights a "Best pick," helping them identify a suitable room based on their preferences more easily.

Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda, said: "Choosing a hotel is only part of the booking decision. Travelers also need to find the right room for their trip, which can be challenging when many options are available.

"The Room Grid Bot helps narrow down those choices based on what travellers want and need, making it easier to identify and book the room that best suits their trip."

The launch builds on Agoda's growing suite of AI-powered tools across the hotel booking journey. The Property AMA (Ask Me Anything) Bot answers accommodation-specific questions - "can I have a room with balcony?" as travellers check out a property, while the Booking Form Bot addresses common questions during checkout.

* Agoda is owned by Booking Holdings, which is listed in the UN Database of businesses profiting from illegal Israeli settlements.

 

When human interaction trounces AI

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the tourism landscape but one major travel company is still banking on human interaction.

AI is influencing everything from how guests discover destinations and build itineraries to how hospitality brands anticipate needs and create seamless experiences.

andBeyond chief marketing officer Nicole Robinson says that as technology becomes more embedded in the travel journey, the value of genuine human interaction will only increase.

While AI will efficiency, personalisation and convenience, Robinson says the true measure of luxury will move beyond what technology can deliver and towards how deeply a guest feels understood.

She says that for andBeyond, AI presents an opportunity to support hospitality teams behind the scenes, helping with everything from more intelligent itinerary planning and operational precision to creating greater continuity across a guest’s journey. 

But technology should enhance the human experience rather than replace it. 

“The guest should not feel the technology; they should feel the care it makes possible,” says Robinson.

“There is a difference between being targeted and being understood. 

"One feels automated. The other feels generous. Technology can help us gather information, but our people are what turn that information into meaning.”

* andBeyond is a luxury experiential travel company that specialises in high-end, sustainable safaris and tours in Africa, South America, and Asia.

Image: Benguerra Island's andBeyond staff with lanterns

Are AI images misleading travellers?

Are you being lied to by accommodation operators using Artificial Intelligence? 

One in five hotel photos on major booking platforms show indicators of being AI-generated or AI-enhanced, a new survey in Europe shows.

An analysis of 25,550 images used by hotels to advertise their rooms, facilities, restaurants and amenities reveals mass deception.

The study was conducted by Berlin-based marketing agency ABCD Agency in partnership with German forensic AI verification provider ContentGuard.me.

Hotel photos are one of the most decisive factors when booking accommodation online. But the report indicates  that the imagery travellers rely on is no longer just traditionally retouched but increasingly created or altered using artificial intelligence.

In a sample of 100 randomly selected hotels each across seven destinations a total of 25,550 hotel photos were analysed in May 2026. Among those popular European summer holiday destinations like Crete, Mallorca, Sicily and Alanya.

The result: approximately 19% of all images - a total of 4,778 photos - contained at least one signal typically associated with AI generation or AI editing.

These signals can appear in technical markers such as file metadata, or as visual anomalies within the image itself - including inconsistencies, irregular pixel patterns or detail errors.

When hotel photos are AI-optimised or AI-generated, expectations can be distorted in critical ways: including room size, furnishings and views. 

These enhanced images set expectations that reality often cannot meet. The result: disappointment on arrival, complaints and a long-term erosion of trust in both platforms and hotels that depend on credible visual content.

Jens Kramosch, deepfake expert and founder of ContentGuard.me explains: “Hotel photos have always been retouched to some degree. But AI takes this to a completely different level. When images are no longer just polished but fundamentally altered, it risks crossing the line from marketing into deception. Travellers need to look more closely and platforms need to start labeling AI-edited content transparently.”

Robin Wilfert, founder of ABCD Agency, warns: “When you book a trip, you're buying a promise. The photos that travelleds use to choose a hotel are the most important part of that promise. AI must not be allowed to create a gap between what's shown and what's real.”

Tourism Authority of Thailand ups its tech game

With tourism in Asia increasingly competitive, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has relaunched an updated ‘Amazing Thailand’ app. 

The new version integrates AI technology and secure payment solutions, offering a "worry-free travel experience", TAT says.

The Amazing Thailand app now features tools for every stage of a travel experience including planning, booking and making secure payments.

An AI-powered chatbot (oh no!) aims to make real-time recommendations based on prompts and user preferences.

The app suggests suitable itineraries, places to stay, dining, activities, plus traveller safety tips, local newspaper The Nation reports.

The newest version of the Amazing Thailand app can be downloaded from March 15, 2026.

Kittipong Praphathong, deputy governor for Digital, Research, and Development at TAT, said the new app is a key step in developing Thailand’s national digital tourism platform. 

It strengthens the country's global tourism competitiveness and supports local businesses with sustainable economic opportunities.

McAfee warns of new digital scams

Regular travellers are all too aware of various online scams but need to exercise particular caution when booking independently online, security experts at McAfee have warned. 

"It's important to strike a balance between the excitement of planning and the need for vigilance,” Vonny Gamot, a regional head at McAfee said:

“Cyber criminals are like digital pickpockets, using the lure of holiday seasons to trick unsuspecting [travellers] with too-good-to-be-true deals. 

"With the rise of AI, these scams have become more realistic and more common.

“We’re urging all holidaymakers to stay vigilant online and think twice before clicking on a link or sharing credit card details. By doing this, you’ll be protecting your privacy and identity, as well as your finances.”

Travel news hub Travel Mole reports that Gamot recommends customers double check they are on an official booking site by making sure the web address is a prefix ‘https’ and not just ‘http’. It often appears as a little padlock icon in the address bar of the browser.

“Also be wary of any text or email offering too-good-to-be-true holiday deals or ‘fast-track’ passport renewals.

“If ever in doubt over the legitimacy of an email or link, don’t engage with it and go direct to the source. 

"While dreaming about your next adventure, don’t let cyber criminals turn it into a nightmare.”

Image: Saruvut Vanset, Scop.io

Qantas chooses Adelaide as technology hub

Qantas has chosen Adelaide as the location for a new technology hub opening next year.

The Australian flag carrier is establishing a new Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide to accelerate the delivery of “intuitive, world-leading digital experiences” for the millions of customers who travel with the airline each year.

The Centre is projected to be home to more than 420 highly-skilled technology roles over the next three years, bringing critical innovation capability in-house, the airline says.

The new purpose-built technology and innovation centre, which is being supported by the South Australian Government, will be based in Adelaide’s CBD and open in March 2026.

It will become the home of the airline’s technology product development teams, where product managers, digital experience designers, software engineers, and data and AI specialists will come together to cha ge how customers interact with Qantas.

Qantas is also partnering with Adelaide University to build graduate recruitment pathways directly into the Centre, creating opportunities for South Australian students to help shape the future of travel.

The centre will enable the airline to bring more critical innovation and technology skills in-house, supporting major initiatives, from the growth of its domestic and international network to new customer experiences and AI tools that help frontline teams serve customers better. 

For customers, Qantas says the centre will help deliver better digital experiences at every stage of the journey. From enhanced app functionality, seamless check-in to smarter baggage tracking. It will also develop AI-powered tools that help when travel doesn’t go to plan.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said the centre would transform how the airline delivers customer experiences.

“Innovation has been a core part of the airline’s DNA for more than 100 years,”Hudson said. “This centre marks a new chapter in our efforts to reimagine the travel experience for the millions of customers who fly with us.

“Technology and AI is critical to lifting the customer experience at every part of the journey, from booking to inflight and baggage collection. This new hub will bring the best Australian skilled talent together to build digital products and experiences that make travel easier and more personalised.

“Adelaide gives us access to world-class universities, a thriving tech community, and the ability to scale our in-house capability. It’s an investment in Australian innovation that will deliver real benefits for our customers.”

South Australian Premier the Hon Peter Malinauskas said:
“This historic agreement with Qantas will help supercharge growth in new highly skilled, high tech jobs.

“Through strategic partnerships under this agreement, including the collaboration between Adelaide University and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), we are building a strong pipeline of talent with advanced AI and digital skillsets. 

“This initiative will ensure South Australia remains at the forefront of emerging technologies and future workforce opportunities.”

The new Qantas Product Innovation Centre is the latest in a series of investments by the national carrier in South Australia, including the recently opened lounge precinct at Adelaide Airport and the return of international flights from Adelaide to Auckland which launched earlier this month.

Gippsland resort puts guests in the picture

RACV Inverloch Resort has officially opened the exhibition Narelle Autio: Selected Watercolours which showcases the work of one of Australia's most celebrated photographers.

The exhibition is on display until June 8.

RACV Head of Visual Arts Mardi Nowak said that Autio's Watercolours series captures the essence of Australians' relationship with the water, presenting images that are both complex and beautiful.

"The collection of photographs provides visitors with an immersive experience into Autio's exploration of Australian coastal life and we are thrilled to host Narelle Autio's Selected Watercolours at RACV Inverloch Resort," Nowak said.

"Her ability to portray the beauty and drama of Australian coastal life aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing enriching cultural experiences for our members and guests."

Autio has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, making her the first Australian recipient. Autio has also won two World Press awards and two Walkley awards

Her photographs are held in collections including such as the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.

In addition to Narelle Autio: Selected Watercolours, guests visiting or staying at the RACV Inverloch Resort will also be able to enjoy Digital Dreams, Analog Echoes - an Artificial Intelligence-inspired art exhibition.

Victorians and visitors can enjoy Inverloch Resort with the Gippsland Gourmet Getaway offer. From $399, a package includes a two-night stay in a resort room, a two-course dinner for two at the Radius Restaurant and daily breakfast for two.

The offer is valid for bookings until 31/05/2025, for stays to 31/07/2025.

RACV members receive an 11am late check out (not hat late to be honest), a welcome cocktail in Zenith Lounge for two, gourmet chocolates and biscuits, and a bottle of wine.

Inverloch is in Gippsland, 143 kilometres south east of Melbourne.

Visit RACV Travel and Experiences for more details.

Anyone for a weekend in Wuhan?

Wuhan will always been known as the city where the SARS virus responsible for the global Covid-19 epidemic was first discovered, but the Chinese city is keen to promote itself as a high-tech tourism hub.

Wuhan officials are describing their city as "dynamic"  and issued a press release saying: "From the suspended monorail that soars above the city to high-speed trains connecting you to major hubs -Wuhan's tech scene is always on the go!"

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei, with a population of over eleven million people.

The urban centre apparently boasts robots helping with daily life, drones delivering groceries, and cutting-edge satellite tech reshaping space exploration. 

The press release says: "The future is NOW, and it's happening right here! Wuhan is where sci-fi meets reality - every day."

Sounds intriguing, and I'd certainly put my hand up to explore. 

Among the drawcards are Optics Valley Square, the largest underground complex in Asia and a popular hangout spot for over a million university students and the Optics Valley Photon suspended monorail with a 270°view (below), the Changjiang Daily reports. 

The Optics Valley Quantum trams adopt supercapacitor power supply technology and provide passengers with free wifi service across the network. 

There is also a self-driving ride-hailing service and you can visit Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone and try a self-driving taxi on its 106km of smart roads.

Optics Valley Future City, meanwhile, powers itself with solar panels and recycles rainwater.

You can check out this colourful video to see what AI envisions for tomorrow in this futuristic city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CegEcifYM2w

Forget humans: AI to the rescue of travellers

Remember when a human being was on hand to answer your queries at an airport?

Now you need to have a mobile phone, a QR code and to rely on Artificial Intelligence to point you in the right direction.

Glasgow Airport has officially launched an AI-powered digital assistant, powered by Hello Lamp Post, to help streamline the travel experience for passengers this festive period ,news portal Travel Mole reports.

The new AI-driven technology is now live across the airport, and is designed to provide real-time information and enhance navigation throughout the terminal 24 hours a day.

The digital assistant was initially introduced as part of an accessibility trial earlier this year in partnership with Connected Places Catapult.

The trial showed a 50% reduction in queries being received by customer service staff. So fewer jobs for humans.

Following the success of the trial, Glasgow Airport collaborated closely in partnership with Hello Lamp Post to refine and expand the tool’s capabilities.

Accessible via location-specific QR codes, the digital assistant serves as a “personal concierge”, offering up-to-date flight information, navigation assistance, and “tailored passenger support”.

The tool aims to make travel easier and creates an inclusive experience for all accessibility needs. And, of course, it will save money.

Jamie Loudon, Group Head of Operational Solutions at Glasgow Airport said: “We take great pride in providing excellent service to the tens of thousands of special assistance passengers who travel through our terminals each year.

“Working with Connected Places Catapult on a trial earlier this year proved invaluable in helping us roll out this cutting-edge technology across the airport for all passengers.”

Tiernan Mines, Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Lamp Post, added: “We’re really pleased that the success of our initial trial has now led to the full rollout of our platform at Glasgow Airport.”

Hello Lampost; Connected Places Catapult? Whatever happened to real business names? 

Meet two wines crafted by an AI bot

 

\

Can an AI bot make a better wine than seasoned winemaking professionals? 

That was a question posed at the recent ProWein trade event in Dusseldorf, Germany, where wine professionals were asked to taste a red wine and a white wine made by the Chelaris bot. 

The product of a collaboration between Moldovan winemakers, tech professionals and marketers, the two wines were presented for the first time at the Wine of Moldova stand.

The unveiling was part of a masterclass led by consultant Robert Joseph at which attendees were given a potential glimpse into the future of oenology - and the fusion of human and artificial intelligence. 

Participants invited to cast a vote after comparing the AI wines to their man-made equivalents. 

The audience were surprised to learn that the preferred white wine, a blend of feteasca alb, feteasca regala and viorica grapes had been made and blended under instruction from the bot.

The two AI wines were also packaged using AI-generated labels. 

“Moldova has proved it has not only terroir and traditions but also a vibrant wine sector that embraces innovative technologies," said Joseph."It is becoming a leading wine nation.” 

The innovative project was headed in collaboration with the National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV), using sophisticated algorithms to support human decisions when planning - and executing - every aspect of the production process: harvesting, vinification, blending, labelling, and communication. 

Diana Lazăr, AI Wine project lead, said: “Additional content for this project, including the marketing materials, were generated with the support and guidance of AI tools.” 

Chelaris is described as "an AI meta human winemaker used to personify the technology behind the groundbreaking artificial intelligence". 

Wine of Moldova is the national brand of Moldovan wines, representing a diverse range of wine styles and producers. For more information, visit www.wineofmoldova.com.

AI images a challenge for the wine industry

Wine and grapes are wonderfully evocative subjects for photographers. 

As someone who often needs generic images, I was tempted to create some AI photos by giving some simple commands. 

It took just seconds to create these images. What do you think? 

I hope it is rather harder to create coherent and accurate wine reviews. 

Are you ready to take travel advice from a chatbot?

We all used to take our trip advice from a travel agent.

Then many of us learned to search the internet for the best destinations and deals.

Now one leading travel company is asking us to put our faith in a chatbot.

It will be interesting to see how many people put their vacation trust in AI.

Trip.com says it has utilised "cutting edge" AI technology to enable users to receive tailored travel routes, itineraries and travel booking advice in real time on the Trip.com platform.

Trip.com has long offered personalised comprehensive search solutions designed to meet travellers' needs for the best flights, hotels, and travel guides but TripGen takes this search capability a step further.

Users can ask complex or vague questions and "get the exact answers they need".

TripGen's chatbot allows users to enter any fragmented travel-related questions, and receive instant suggestions for pre-trip decisions and in-trip arrangements, from flights and hotels to transportation and tours.

Amy Wei, senior product director at Trip.com Group and product owner of TripGen, said: "Time is precious, but planning is always so time-consuming and stressful.

"There is so much information available to users, and often it's overwhelming. As a travelholic who visited over 40 countries, I completely empathise with other travellers' pain points and difficulties in preparing for a trip.

"TripGen can provide travellers with closed-loop services before, after, and during their trip."

TripGen currently supports English, Japanese, Korean and traditional Chinese. More languages will be added depending on user needs.

# Trip.com is an international travel service provider, available in 24 languages across 39 countries. See trip.com.