Why AI Could Change The Way You Book Holidays

AI is really starting to shake things up in the travel world, especially for those online travel agents (OTAs) we all use to book flights and accommodation. Think of companies like Expedia or Booking.com — they're the ones feeling the heat.

Now, with AI becoming smarter and more helpful, people might soon be using AI 'agents' to plan their entire holidays. These AI agents are like super-smart digital assistants that can scour the internet, find the best deals, and even put together a whole itinerary for you, all based on your preferences. The big question for the traditional travel websites is: will these AI agents recommend them, or will they find other ways to book things directly?

Basically, Expedia and Booking.com realise that for AI to suggest their services, the AI itself needs to 'trust' them. This isn't about human trust, but about how well their systems integrate and how easily AI can access and understand their holiday listings. It's a behind-the-scenes battle to become the AI's favourite, so their deals are the ones that pop up when you ask an AI to plan your next Bali escape or Queensland getaway.

This is a big deal because if only certain travel providers get recommended by AI, it could change who we book with and even how competitive prices are. For everyday Aussies, it means future holiday planning could be even easier, but it also raises questions about whether we'll always see the full range of options, or just the ones the AI has been 'trained' to prefer.