Travel sector shares, including Expedia and Booking.com, rallied following announcements of increased AI adoption, particularly the integration of OpenAI technologies. Investors reacted strongly to the potential of generative AI to streamline services and enhance customer experiences in online travel. The move highlights growing interest in artificial intelligence across consumer-facing industries.
Airbnb is testing an AI-powered natural language search tool to streamline the booking process for a subset of users. This follows the rollout of its AI customer service chatbot and is part of wider efforts to enhance efficiency and user experience. No public launch date for the feature has been announced.
Madrid-based STAMP has secured €4 million in funding to expand its AI-enhanced platform that simplifies tax-free shopping for international consumers across Europe. The company’s system digitises the VAT refund process at the point of sale, aiming to boost conversion rates for merchants and streamline purchases for global travellers.
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