Google AI-Powered Travel Planning Tools in Search, Maps, and Gemini

Google has introduced a new wave of AI-powered vacation planning features across Search, Maps, and Gemini, offering users an easier, more intelligent way to plan summer trips. As consumer behavior increasingly shifts toward tools like ChatGPT for trip planning, Google is doubling down on AI to stay ahead.

The update includes AI-generated itineraries, smarter hotel and flight tracking, personalized travel planning agents, and even screenshot-to-map conversions — all designed to streamline how people plan and organize their vacations.

What’s New in Google’s Vacation Planning Features?

Google Search’s AI Overviews now help users build travel itineraries with just one prompt. For example, a query like “create an itinerary for Costa Rica with a focus on nature” will generate AI-curated suggestions, complete with photos, reviews, and maps.

Users can:

• View destinations on an expandable map

• Export itineraries to Google Docs, Gmail, or save them directly in Google Maps

• Access this feature in English in the U.S. on both desktop and mobile

🔧 Marketing Tip: Travel agents, tour operators, and experience-based brands should optimize their content for AI-generated snippets by including clear, structured information (like sample itineraries, review-rich pages, and location-based keywords). This boosts visibility within AI Overviews.

Gemini’s Free Trip Planning Assistant

Google’s Gemini Gems feature is now free and available to all users. Gems are custom AI agents that can be trained to assist with specific tasks — including trip planning and packing recommendations.

🔧 Marketing Tip: Hospitality and travel businesses can create branded Gems or collaborate with influencers to promote trip-planning agents that incorporate their services (e.g., hotel suggestions, tour packages, or local guides). Position them as trusted digital concierges.

Global Hotel Price Tracking

Building on its flight alerts feature, Google now lets users track hotel prices for specific dates and destinations. Users can set filters like star rating, beach access, or location — and receive email alerts when prices drop.

🔧 Marketing Tip: Hotels and resorts should ensure their listings on Google are up-to-date, keyword-optimized, and include clear pricing and perks. Consider using Google Hotel Ads to capture interest when travelers receive these alerts.

Maps: Turn Screenshots Into Travel Plans

Google Maps is rolling out a feature that reads screenshots of places and turns them into saved travel plans. The app scans your photo gallery, detects landmarks or saved spots, and maps them into a visual trip plan.

• Available in English in the U.S. on iOS (Android coming soon)

🔧 Marketing Tip: Local attractions, restaurants, and event spaces should encourage visitors to take and share screenshots with branded visuals. Tagging location info on images can improve visibility when users pull their screenshots into Google Maps for trip planning.

Why This Matters for Travel Marketers

With AI playing a bigger role in how people discover and plan trips, visibility across Google’s ecosystem is now more important than ever. These new tools give marketers fresh touchpoints to intersect with intent-driven travelers, especially in the inspiration and planning phases.

Key Takeaways for Marketers:

• Optimize for AI-powered Search: Structure content clearly for inclusion in AI Overviews.

• Leverage Gemini Gems: Create branded trip planners or partner with influencers who do.

• Enhance your Google presence: Ensure hotel and business listings are robust and trackable.

• Use visual marketing: Encourage shareable screenshots to benefit from Maps' new features.

The bottom line: Google is redefining how people plan travel — and smart marketers should act now to align with the AI-first planning journey.