AI-Fueled Virtual Assistant For a Travel Planner App
Challenge
Just as the introduction of jet engines disrupted the travel industry in the 1950th, generative AI keeps thriving and upending travel planning in the same fundamental way. What’s more, conversational AI is also gaining momentum, ushering in a new era for customer experience. With the joint power of conversational and gen AI, previously reactive rule-based chatbots can be replaced with intelligent and proactive virtual assistants smart enough to act on the user’s behalf.
Our client, a digital travel and hospitality agency in the GCC region, didn’t miss a bit. With a wide partner network spanning local airlines, hotels, taxi services, cultural venues, restaurants, etc., they jumped at the chance to pull ahead.
In fact, a diagnostic survey among their customer base, including casual travelers, travel hobbyists, and digital nomads, revealed that 91% of users were juggling multiple apps to handle their trip needs, despite a strong demand for a convenient, all-in-one solution.
Therefore, they decided to strike while the iron is hot and upgrade their existing application for managing flights, accommodations, attractions, and other actions by replacing the in-app rule-based chatbot with Travel Ally, a frontline AI-powered travel assistant.
Just as the introduction of jet engines disrupted the travel industry in the 1950th, generative AI keeps thriving and upending travel planning in the same fundamental way. What’s more, conversational AI is also gaining momentum, ushering in a new era for customer experience. With the joint power of conversational and gen AI, previously reactive rule-based chatbots can be replaced with intelligent and proactive virtual assistants smart enough to act on the user’s behalf.
Our client, a digital travel and hospitality agency in the GCC region, didn’t miss a bit. With a wide partner network spanning local airlines, hotels, taxi services, cultural venues, restaurants, etc., they jumped at the chance to pull ahead.
In fact, a diagnostic survey among their customer base, including casual travelers, travel hobbyists, and digital nomads, revealed that 91% of users were juggling multiple apps to handle their trip needs, despite a strong demand for a convenient, all-in-one solution.
Therefore, they decided to strike while the iron is hot and upgrade their existing application for managing flights, accommodations, attractions, and other actions by replacing the in-app rule-based chatbot with Travel Ally, a frontline AI-powered travel assistant.
Solution
The enhanced solution was supposed to support users at every stage of their journey, with capabilities like:
- Hassle-free booking
for accommodations, restaurants, museums, amusement parks, etc. - Trip researching and planning, all in-app
from choosing a destination and flight price tracking to checking weather conditions and selecting places to visit. - Real-time itinerary adjustments
to unexpected situations, such as lost documents, medical emergencies, and so on. - Collecting and analyzing post-trip feedback
to level up next travel experience.
Instinctools’ team worked side-by-side with the client’s in-house IT department, bringing in hands-on machine learning and generative AI expertise to help make their big bet on hyper-personalization and customer experience pay off.
The enhanced solution was supposed to support users at every stage of their journey, with capabilities like:
- Hassle-free booking
for accommodations, restaurants, museums, amusement parks, etc. - Trip researching and planning, all in-app
from choosing a destination and flight price tracking to checking weather conditions and selecting places to visit. - Real-time itinerary adjustments
to unexpected situations, such as lost documents, medical emergencies, and so on. - Collecting and analyzing post-trip feedback
to level up next travel experience.
Instinctools’ team worked side-by-side with the client’s in-house IT department, bringing in hands-on machine learning and generative AI expertise to help make their big bet on hyper-personalization and customer experience pay off.
Results
Business value
- The very first all-in-one AI-powered virtual assistant for seamless travel planning in the GCC region
- 13% growth in the annual retention rate over a year
- 15% increase in booking conversions, with users finding options that closely match their interests
- 40% drop in the time required to complete a booking
- 12% decrease in last-minute cancellations, as travelers feel more informed and supported
- 15% boost in the average transaction value driven by users being presented with relevant add-ons
Business value
- The very first all-in-one AI-powered virtual assistant for seamless travel planning in the GCC region
- 13% growth in the annual retention rate over a year
- 15% increase in booking conversions, with users finding options that closely match their interests
- 40% drop in the time required to complete a booking
- 12% decrease in last-minute cancellations, as travelers feel more informed and supported
- 15% boost in the average transaction value driven by users being presented with relevant add-ons