AI Is Changing Travel Planning
OpenAI’s launch of apps in ChatGPT marks a major shift in how travelers plan and book trips online. When users mention brands like Expedia or Booking.com in conversation, those tools now activate inside the chat, surfacing real-time listings, pricing, and booking steps. This feature is currently available for personal accounts, with business account integration expected in the coming months.
At the center of this evolution is the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source framework that allows trusted partners to feed real-time facts and actions into AI-powered tools.
What once took place across dozens of browser tabs is now beginning to happen within a single, trusted conversation powered by personal AI. This shift in infrastructure enables instant planning and, soon, direct booking without ever leaving the chat.
For the U.S. tourism industry, the opportunity is clear. We need to organize our content and availability, make booking flows accessible through MCP, and follow the lead of platforms like Expedia and Booking.com. This will ensure U.S. destinations and experiences show up at the exact moment travelers express intent.