Skyscanner launches new generative AI tool in beta

Search, discovery, and inspiration tool live in Australia, India and Singapore

Global travel marketplace Skyscanner has launched a new search discovery and inspiration tool, powered by generative AI. 

Named Dream and discover with AI, the tool will initially launch in beta in Australia, India and Singapore to test traveller behaviour when it comes to using AI for trip planning, with other markets set to follow after.

Powered by Open AI’s Chat GPT technology, travellers can ask open ended statements and questions such as “Best cities for cultural tours” or “What are some hidden gems in Europe?”. 

It also has a variety of prompts ranging from “Short flights next weekend” to “Foodie city breaks”. 

The tool will then generate travel ideas and recommendations as well as three destination suggestions with links to the best flight options for each. 

It will use imagery combined with rich destination descriptions to highlight the “unique characteristics” of each suggestion. 

When travellers decide on a destination, they are then taken straight into Skyscanner’s flight search funnel to choose their flight.

Piero Sierra, chief product officer of Skyscanner, said: “Generative AI is such an exciting technology that we as a travel industry are only just beginning to apply.

“56% of travellers are coming to Skyscanner for inspiration so with this beta launch we are looking to understand how it might help travellers in the discovery phases of the travel planning journey, and importantly how they engage with the technology versus existing tools. 

“This one of many experiments we are running to see how generative AI can be incorporated into the core Skyscanner proposition – helping travellers plan and book their trip with ease and confidence - in the future.”

The beta phase will allow Skyscanner to gather feedback, engagement and conversion data to optimise and enhance future traveller-first product development.