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.

 

Airline warns against online scammers

A major low-cost airline has warned flyers to remain vigilant against scams involving fake customer service contacts circulating on social media.

AirAsia's advisory followed the circulation of online posts displaying a phone number falsely claimed to be an official AirAsia customer service line.

AirAsia confirmed that the number is not affiliated with the airline and is suspected to be part of a scam targeting travellers seeking assistance with their bookings.

AirAsia clarified that it does not operate customer service via phone calls and urged customers to be vigilant about anyone claiming to represent the airline. 

All official customer support services are available either through the AskBo bot, or the airline’s digital support platform.

Guests can access AskBo via the AirAsia MOVE app or through AirAsia’s official digital platforms to receive assistance with flight bookings, schedule changes, travel information and other services.

AirAsia encourages travellers to always verify information through official AirAsia channels, including the airline’s website and verified social media accounts, especially during the peak Hari Raya travel period.

Customers are encouraged to visit www.airasia.com or access the AirAsia MOVE app.

Tolpuddle's low-profile new release

Here's a semi-secret wine that you won't find on restaurant wine lists or in your local bottle shop. 

Tolpuddle, the hugely successful Tasmanian vineyard that produces world-class chardonnays and pinots, has a new release. 

Co-owner Martin Shaw snuck me a bottle of the new 2024 Loveless Pinot Noir to try. And while it is not under the Tolpuddle label, it is a very impressive Tassie pinot. 

The Tolpuddle team explains: "Since taking over Tolpuddle Vineyard in 2011, we have made a number of improvements, including new plantings. 

"The young vines, of great potential but not yet ready to make it into the Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, were blended with fruit from an excellent site in the Derwent Valley. The result is a bright, fresh, delicious Tasmanian pinot noir.

"The wine is named for George Loveless, leader of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. 

"Loveless served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard.

So now you know.. The wine is only available in six packs for $300 from the Tolpuddle cellar door in the Coal River Valley, or online.

It's a dark wine, not quite as nuanced as Tolpuddle, but with an interesting flavour palette, well integrated oaks and soft tannins. It finishes long and smooth. 

https://www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/store/loveless-pinot-noir-6-pack

How to enjoy a Grill'd burger experience in your own home

Do you prefer to eat your burgers at home, or when dining out?

Up-market Australian burger chain Grill'd is going where its rivals have not by releasing its patties for sale in supermarkets.

Grill’d today launched a retail range of their burger patties exclusively at Coles stores.

Available in-store and online at Coles stores nationally, the Grill’d range starts at $8 for a 2-pack and includes three options.

Coles says its research shows one in two Australians say they have an interest in recreating their restaurant or takeaway dinner in their own kitchen, and a "familiar taste" is the top driver of meal choice.

The popular burger restaurant has been flipping burgers for 21 years and has grown to 174 burger restaurants across the country.

Grill’d founder and managing director Simon Crowe said he was excited to expand the restaurant to the supermarket, giving more Australians the opportunity to enjoy Grill’d burgers.

“For over two decades, Aussies have loved coming into Grill’d restaurants for healthy burgers that taste good and do good," he said. "This next chapter in our story is very exciting as we take our products into peoples’ homes.

“Having our burgers available nationally at Coles, allows us to take the next big step in our mission: to make our healthy, delicious burgers accessible to all Australians.”

Coles Chief Commercial Officer Anna Croft said: “We’re excited to join forces with Grill’d to launch an exclusive, premium burger range customers can only find at Coles,” she said.

“Our customers are telling us they’re cooking more at home and looking for ways to create delicious and easy restaurant quality meals in their own kitchens - and that’s exactly what we hope to achieve by offering the new Grill’d burger range.

“This launch is the latest example of how we’re listening and responding to our customers, giving more Australians access to premium and convenient meal options at a price that offers real value.”

To celebrate the launch, each product will be offered at an introductory price of $1 off the regular price for the first four weeks. To shop the range visit: coles.com.au

The Grill’d range is: 

Grill’d Signature Beef Burgers (2-pack): $8.00 / $4 per serve
Grill’d Premium Wagyu Burgers with Caramelised Onion (2-pack): $10.00 / $5 per serve
Grill’d Signature Beef Burgers (4-pack): $12.50 / $3.15 per serve (available in selected stores).

So you’d like to own some of Australia’s rarest wines?

Fancy owning a bottle of the very first vintage of Penfolds’ flagship wine: the Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1951, released as Bin 1? 

The bottle is expected to fetch more than the current price record - and that of the country’s most expensive wine - of over $150,000 (including buyer’s premium).  

It is one if the lots in the upcoming Penfolds Rewards of Patience auction to be hosted by fine wine purveyors Langtons.

The auction launched on the Langtons website this week and will close on Sunday, June 29, at 9pm.

The auction will be a chance for avid Penfolds fans to bid on the largest collection of rare, collector wines from the prestigious Australian winery including special, early vintages from the 1950s and large-format bottles. 

Notably, the auction will feature a bottle of the very first vintage of Penfolds’ flagship wine the Penfolds

In addition to the Bin 1, the auction also features one of the world’s very few full Bin Grange Sets from 1951 to 2018, which was last seen up for bidding at the 2022 Penfolds Rewards of Patience Auction going for a record-price of $430,000.

The Penfolds Rewards of Patience auction has been hosted by Langtons since 1996, with the auction’s name a nod to the seminal book Penfolds: The Rewards of Patience by Master of Wine Andrew Caillard.

“As the auction market begins to warm to an interest rate cut, it’s the wines of Penfolds, the most represented wine in the Langtons Classification, that savvy wine enthusiasts and investors are reaching for,” says Michael Anderson, Head of Auctions and Wine Consignment at Langtons.

“This may be one the last chances to bid on a complete set of Penfolds Grange. These unicorn pieces
become rarer each year as bottles fail, wines are consumed and verticals are split.

“This is an incredible version of a Penfolds Grange Set - one of the finest we have seen.”

Other highlights in the Penfolds Rewards of Patience Auction include a g-series set of the g3, g4 and g5
bottles and early vintages of the Penfolds Grange from 1955.

Online surveys ask far too much

They are absolutely relentless. Question after question. 

A colleague pointed this out on social media a couple of days ago:

"So sick of being asked to do a survey - for every bloody thing/flight/restaurant/health care etc etc. I would like to be rewarded for my precious time."

A few minutes after I had read it, this landed in my email inbox:

"We recently delivered this parcel to you. X X X X. We’d appreciate a few minutes of your time to provide feedback on your experience. This helps us improve our delivery service to you so next time it will be even better."

They did not deliver a parcel to me. They delivered a card, which told me I had to pick up the parcel at my local post office. They can't even get the question right.

And another one from a hotel that values my custom so much that it cannot even get my name right:

"Thank you for staying with us at the X X X X. To give us a better understanding of your experience during your recent stay with us, we would appreciate if you could take a moment to complete our online survey, at your convenience. The length of the survey will not be more than 5 minutes."

Then they want me to click onto a link, which I had no intention of doing.

I get them from Telstra, I get them from credit card companies. They land all the time.

They want me to do their work for them without payment. At a time when people are busier than ever.  

If a hotel wants to know what I think they could do it the old way. The GM could greet guests at check-out and ask their opinion.

Amex could actually pay attention when I tell them that their card is less and less useful.

If you want me to waste my time for your benefit, offer to send a couple of bucks to charity in exchange. Or give me a discount next time I use your services.

Or would that be asking too much?

Not the usual suspects: quirky tastes of Italy

Are you an adventurous drinker?

Legendary Melbourne providore Enoteca Sileno may have closed its doors, but it is still active online with a wide range of esoteric drinks on offer.

There has been a resurgence in interest in old-world spirits, particularly from mixologists, from amaro to pastis and beyond.

Enoteca Sileno closed its retail store this year after 70 years, but the online store is still stocked with an array of authentic Italian food and beverage products, including wines and spirits.

Owners Rosemary and John Portelli’s have selected some of their favourite winter spirits and aperitifs - from liquorice and chocolate liqueurs to herbaceous amari perfect for negronis.

Their products can be delivered Australia-wide with free delivery to major metro regions for orders over $250.



Their choices include Bepi Tosolini Amaretto Salizà ($105) - made with whole almonds - and its sibling the Bepi Tosolini Brandy Riserva Fogolar ($137.60), distilled from red wines with ancient steam stills.

Other family favourites include Clementi China Antico Elixir ($118), a bittersweet digestive from Tuscany, and Infusi dall'Eremo Ghentiane ($65.40) a herbal tonic from a co-op based near L’Aquila using medieval recipes created by local monks.

Then there is Infusi dall'Eremo Saffron Liqueur ($49.80): a liqueur made from a cold infusion of saffron, which is rich in antioxidants, and for the sweet tooths, Vincenzi Bicerin di Gianduiotto Chocolate Liqueur ($85).

For details you can check out www.enoteca.com.au

Wine writer wants to "re-imagine" online purchasing

 

One of Australia's most experienced wine writers wants to help you make the best of your next purchase.

Jeremy Oliver, author of 30 books, says it is time for a re-imagination of online wine retail.

The critic has launched his new online platform, Oliver’s Wines, which includes a website and an App (iOS and Android) which he says will "transform the way wine enthusiasts discover and buy".

‘We’re using world-leading tech to try to give our users an old-fashioned wine experience in which each customer and their own preferences are recognised’, says Oliver.

"Developed locally in Melbourne, the world’s leading wine recommendation engine is able to treat every single user as an audience of one and suggest wines for them based on their very own favourites.

"Customers can create and manage their own lists of favourite wines, buy the wines our system recommends and then give feedback to help the system do its job even better.

‘I’m excited to be going back to my old day job as an independent critic. I’ll be rating and commenting on all the major wines in Australia, regardless of whether or not they’re for sale on this platform. My opinion is not for sale, just as it never has been."

It is said that Oliver’s Wines will feature a comprehensive database of ratings, tasting notes, articles and videos that he has assembled over four decades as one of Australia’s most respected writers.

There’s no subscription charge for users to access the resource, which Oliver updates regularly.

"We’re providing wine enthusiasts with a place to learn, research, engage with and buy from," he says.

"We’re not at all interesting in discounting wines; we just want to ensure that people enjoy the wines they are buying online.

"Once they start to trust the IT, we’ll take them on a journey that will introduce them to an entire spectrum of wine they might never have heard of. That’s the exciting thing about the system we’ve developed."

When I entered Chablis into the search engine I got the response: "No products were found matching your selection". 

So some refinement is still needed.   

See https://olivers-wines.com.au/

Are you ready to replace your sommelier with an AI operative?

Goodbye sommeliers? Hello to an AI alternative?

Meet VinoVoss AI Virtual Wine Sommelier - an AI-driven online search tool that is billed as "making it easier and quicker than ever before for all wine enthusiasts, from novices to connoisseurs, to find the PERFECT bottle wine for any taste or occasion".

Stop shouting.

Apparently you can ask this piece of devilment questions like “what is an inexpensive cabernet that goes with pork and that sommeliers like?” or “what is a fruity white wine from Napa suited for a romantic dinner?”

Some of the sommeliers I've encountered would probably try to divert both hapless drinkers to something that is "natural", cloudy and smelly. But there are also many fine somms out there who aim to guide you. 

I tried www.VinoVoss.com and... it is clearly designed for US consumers.

I asked it to choose a young chardonnay from Australia for under $50 and it came up with all the usual choices that you'd find on a US bottle shop shelf. So [yellowtall], Lindemans, Koonunga Hill, Lindemans, Robert Oatley.

Nothing wrong there, but nothing revolutionary either. And it would not be much help in a restaurant situation. 

It's another search engine to sell wine despite the claim that "BetterAI, a data technology company elevating the world of wine through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), has launched the world’s most comprehensive and intuitive wine search engine and recommendation system".

The system has numerous capabilities, including allowing users to search for wines by grape variety, region or price; get personalized wines based on taste preferences; compare wines to find a perfect match for a meal; track their own wine collection and create a wish list; search for organic wines and more.

But some refinement is clearly needed. 

I asked for a white wine made from an alternative grape variety that would pair well with roast pork. One of the top results: Louis Latour Montagny 1er Cru La Grande Roche. 

Unfortunate. The last time I checked, chardonnay was not an alternative variety.  

But when I asked it for the best high-end shiraz from Australia it did a lot better with recommendations including Torbreck, Penfolds, Henschke, Chris Ringland Jim Barry The Armagh and Yalumba's The Caley, which is actually a blend, but still a very fine wine.

It promised me 1998 Penfolds Grange for US $425 ($651) - a very good price for a vintage Penfolds says "may rank amongst the very finest released".

But there are only three bottles available when you click through - and you have no idea of the provenance or how it has been stored. 

I think I'll stick with Five Ways Cellars in Sydney, or Randall's in Melbourne, for now.

Sophisticated scammers find new ways to get your money

It seems to be a busy time of the year for scammers.

Just this morning my mobile phone pinged, announcing the arrival of yet another scam message designed to part me from my cash.

This one was ostensibly from Australia Post, although the poor grammar, Americanisms and strange address were a giveaway for anyone bar an idiot in a hurry.

It read: Australia - Post Center: Your parcel has not arrived, need timely verification, please click on https://aupost.dazifan.com or will be refunded!

And, of course there was a handy link for me to click on. No thanks. Blocked.

Then I was reading the morning paper to be alerted to another fraud: Australian Open Fans Targeted by Scammers Selling Fake Tickets

This one involves deceptive online websites that mimic official ticket distributors, using very similar URLs to dupe fans into buying counterfeit tickets or divulging personal information.

This week I have also received several emails from suspicious-looking email addresses seeking to confirm accommodation that has been "booked" with me.

They go along these lines: Greetings, I would like to book a Single Standard Room, for the dates from March 4, to March 8, 2024. Could you please confirm the current availability and share information on the pricing? Thanks.

You respond, as most decent people would, saying there has been an error and that you do not have accommodation.

But they persist: Hi! I've booked a room successfully, but my card hasn't been charged. Despite the confirmed reservation, I'm concerned about a potential cancellation. Could you check my details through the provided reservation page link? Your support is greatly appreciated!

How polite. But if you are silly enough to click on the link your computer will be uploaded with malware. 

Let's be careful out there people.

 

Fraudsters, cheats and profanities on Tripadvisor

Who would have thought?

People have been posting fake reviews on Tripadvisor, disparaging opposition businesses and failing to follow posting rules.

The online travel review platform has just published its 2021 Review Transparency Report, revealing in detail the volume of review contributions to the platform in 2020, and the impact of Covid-19 on user-generated travel guidance.

The report says Tripadvisor rejected or removed over two million reviews that did not comply with the platform's community standards.

In total, 3.6% of all review submissions last year were identified as fake, with the majority being rejected before they were posted to the Tripadvisor site.

There are a number of reasons why Tripadvisor rejects or removes reviews, ranging from community standards violations (such as the use of profanity) to fake review activity.

Just 3.6% of all reviews were determined to be fraudulent - but that still totalled nearly 1 million reviews.

In total, Tripadvisor penalized 34,605 properties for fraudulent activity and banned 20,299 members for failing to abide by the platform’s community standards in 2020.

Tripadvisor says it introduced new community standards designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 misinformation and protect businesses that have been keeping customers safe.

As a result, Tripadvisor removed nearly 50,000 reviews that did not adhere to the platform's Covid-19 posting guidelines.

"As we continue the work to earn the trust travellers place in our business, we take the enforcement of our community standards incredibly seriously as we use the best in technology and human moderation practices to fight fraud," said Becky Foley, head of Trust and Safety at Tripadvisor.

How online tastings have become the new normal

Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, online wine and food tastings were a virtually unknown concept. 

Over the past 18 months I've done dozens of Zoom tastings - offering the chance to chat with winemakers and chat with fellow communicators while tasting new releases without travel. 

It's not quite the same as checking out the vineyards and enjoying the wines in situ with local food. But it is certainly a good alternative. 

Rather than flying across the country for a tasting you save hours of time. 

And it is also true that virtual tutored tastings have become popular with wine drinkers and home cooks. 

With many employees in the corporate sector now choosing to work from home on a permanent or hybrid basis, virtual wine experiences have become a favoured activity for teams to re-connect and unwind in a relaxed online setting.

“Online wine tastings were the silver lining for Australian wineries during the pandemic and it's clear they're here to stay,” says Kate Shilling, executive officer of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia.

“With Aussies unable to visit their favourite wineries, this allows the winery to meet them in their own homes, with virtual tastings becoming a popular way for businesses of all sizes to incentivise their employees and provide effective team bonding opportunities.”

Katrina Pizzini (above), from Pizzini Wines in Victoria's King Valley, runs wine tastings and Italian cooking classes via video conferencing and believes these types of virtual activities break up the mundane for corporate teams, allowing employees to learn a new skill, sample great wine and have some fun.

“We had never run any online wine tastings or cooking classes prior to the pandemic. In fact, the closest we came was conducting job interviews via Skype,” says Katrina.

“When the pandemic hit, it quickly became clear that there was a need for friends, families and colleagues to communicate and interact with each other in a meaningful, Covid-safe way.”

In addition to regular virtual wine tastings, Katrina runs online cooking classes through the Pizzini A tavola! cooking school, where she teaches the art of making the perfect pasta, gnocchi and risotto in real time.

“We have run cooking classes for groups that incorporate as few as six households, and up to 35 households at a time, with each one receiving an ingredients pack in the mail beforehand, including produce, essential utensils and Pizzini wine,” says Katrina.

“While we can't wait for visitors to fill our cellar door, we know that the convenience and cost-effectiveness of online winery experiences will remain a relevant part of our offering.”

Visit www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au

A free online wellness course with a world-renowned spa

Leading wellness resort Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, has collaborated with Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, scheduled to open in Qatar in late 2021, to offer complimentary online wellness classes.

There will be up to eight classes a month, starting from this week.

Chiva-Som and Zulal Wellness Resort are aiming to deliver holistic wellness classes focussed on supporting individual mental and physical health as the Covid-19 pandemic continues across the world.

The complimentary online wellness classes will be conducted by experts, wellness advisors and practitioners from both Chiva-Som in Thailand and Zulal Wellness Resort.

To be delivered via Zoom, the classes include activities and physical training varying from nutrition talks to family wellness advice to indigenous wellness practices, all of which are designed to help participants get one step closer to achieving their health and wellness goals, especially as many countries continue to grapple with lockdowns and social distancing.

For the first time, the Zulal wellness team will mainly introduce traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine, or TAIM as its key wellness practice at the resort to wellness enthusiasts around the world.

TAIM focuses on life balance through diet, fitness, mental and spiritual health. While Chiva-Som features comprehensive wellness classes for various interests.

Some of the September classes on offer include:

September 9: Introduction to Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine at Zulal Wellness Resort

September 16:  Traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine in women’s health

September 23: Traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine and kitchen herbs

September 30: Hijama therapy

Chiva-Som has been delivering holistic wellness therapies to guests worldwide for a quarter of a century. 

The online wellness instructors will not only teach new strategies and techniques, but will also offer supportive advice, personalised feedback and communication regarding lifestyle and nutrition to help participants benefit from the comfort of their homes.

To see the monthly schedule and register, please visit www.facebook.com/ChivaSomResort 

For further information about Chiva-Som and Zulal Wellness Resort see: www.chivasom.com