Holiday rental group Awaze launches app within ChatGPT for traveller ease

Launch forms part of Awaze’s £45m annual investment in AI and tech

Awaze, Europe’s largest provider of holiday rentals, has launched a new app in OpenAI’s ChatGPT designed to simplify how travellers discover and book cottages in the UK, as consumer demand for AI-powered holiday planning accelerates.

Launching with Cottages.com, Awaze’s most-famous UK brand, the app allows travellers to describe their ideal break in conversational language - from a dog-friendly coastal cottage with a hot tub to a countryside retreat near walking routes - and receive tailored results showing live availability and pricing. 

Once customers have shortlisted properties, they can review full details and complete their booking through Cottages.com.

To achieve this result for travellers, the firm use its existing data and machine learning capabilities, and draws on OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The app connects directly to Awaze’s live inventory of self-catered homes.

The launch forms part of Awaze’s £45m annual investment in technology and AI, focused on modernising front-end systems, strengthening core services and integrating data and machine learning models across its brands. 

Over the past year, the group has built digital foundations "needed to innovate at pace" it says. which has enabled the ChatGPT app to be developed in just "a matter of weeks". 

Awaze has also launched eight new consumer apps across iOS and Android and rolled out an internal “AI Champions” programme to upskill colleagues beyond its core technology teams.

The ChatGPT integration reflects how that sustained investment in digital infrastructure is translating into customer-facing innovation, as AI platforms increasingly become a new front door for travel discovery and booking.

Matthew Price, CEO of Awaze, said: “AI is changing how customers discover and book holidays, and demand for AI-powered planning tools is growing rapidly.

"Our annual investment in technology and AI learning tools gives us the foundations to enhance the search and booking experience for guests, while strengthening the tools and pricing capabilities that support our property owners.

“We’re a holiday company first and foremost and will always have a person at the end of the phone to answer our customers’ questions and help owners manage their homes.  

"However, leveraging technology to make the booking journey even easier has always been a priority. Launching inside ChatGPT means we can now do this for customers with an easy to use and conversational tool that feels a lot like talking about your next stay with a friend or relative.”