Google is rolling out new AI-driven features across Search, Maps, and Gemini to assist users in planning their summer getaways. These updates come as AI-powered trip planning tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, gain popularity among travelers.
Google Search’s AI Overviews, which provide quick summaries at the top of search results, can now generate travel itineraries for specific regions or countries. For example, searching “create an itinerary for Costa Rica with a focus on nature” will return a customized trip plan, complete with photos, reviews, and locations on an interactive map.
Users can then export their itinerary to Google Docs, Gmail, or save it as a custom list in Google Maps. This feature is available in English for U.S. users on both mobile and desktop starting this week.
Google is also making Gems, a tool within Gemini, available for free. With Gems, users can create a personal AI travel assistant to help choose destinations, suggest packing lists, and provide travel tips.
Google has long offered price drop alerts for flights, and now it’s extending this feature to hotels. Travelers can track hotel prices for specific dates and locations, using filters such as star ratings or beach access. If the price drops, Google will send an email alert. This feature is launching globally this week on both mobile and desktop.
To help travelers organize their trip ideas, Google Maps now allows users to convert screenshots into actionable travel plans. By granting Maps access to their photo gallery, users can automatically identify and save places from their screenshots. The saved locations will appear on the map, making it easier to visualize and organize travel plans.
This feature is rolling out this week in the U.S. for iOS users, with an Android launch coming soon.
