skift take
— Rashard Jorden
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episode notes
Google is releasing several new tools powered by artificial intelligence to help travelers plan their trips, writes travel technology reporter Justin Dawes.
A new tool will allow Google Search to create itineraries based on prompts from users. Dawes reports that users can search for travel itineraries and see flight and hotel options, as well as suggestions for attractions and dining. Google says its AI tools use information posted online and reviews that users post about companies.
Google is also enhancing its Maps app to provide users with more information about specific destinations in the US and Canada.
Next, the U.S. State Department will receive $50 million to reduce visa wait times and passport backlogs, writes global tourism reporter Dawit Habtemariam.
President Joe Biden recently signed legislation that provides the department with more resources to address one of the travel industry's most pressing issues: long visa wait times. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the average wait time for a first-time visitor visa in major U.S. inbound markets is approximately 400 days.
More than 300 travel industry professionals recently lobbied federal lawmakers to take action on excessive visa wait times.
Finally, Australia saw record numbers of visitors from India last year. Asia editor Peden Doma Bhutia spoke to Nishant Kashikar, Tourism Australia's country manager for India, about Australia's recent success in attracting Indian tourists.
Australia received approximately 402,000 arrivals from India between February 2023 and January 2024. India is currently Tourism Australia's fifth largest inbound market. Mr Kashkar attributed the record numbers in part to an increase in weekly flights from India to Australia and a simplified visa application process for Indian travelers.
Kashkar added that Australia has seen a significant increase in business travel from India.
