Google has delivered several more knocks to its travel booking competitors with the launch of new features in its Flights, Trips and hotels search functions.
Now through Google Flights - following the price-tracker function that launched in October - the company says it is using machine learning and analysis of historical flight data to display “tips,” such as “prices less than normal,” on when it’s best to book flights.
Hotel search results will similarly display tips on if rates are higher than normal due to holidays or events in the area. Email alerts about changes in hotel room pricing will become available next year.
Its new Discounts feature takes aim at the tours and activities market by offering travelers instant access to discounts on tours and attractions.
The service is available through the Trips app, which launched last year with personalization features as a way for users to organize trips.
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Whilst this is not a fully formed addition of metasearch for other elements of a trip, as has long been rumored, Discounts is a likely first dip in the water, with Things To Do remaining - for now - as a listing channel.
Products within the Discounts functionality are coming from the usual suspects, with things to do provided by GetYourGuide, Tiqets, BeMyGuest, Urban Adventures, EatWith, Musement, Peek, Expedia and Klook.
Ground transportation is also supplied from the likes of Holiday Taxis, Priceline Group-owned Rideways.
The move comes interestingly as companies such as Airbnb are leaning heavily into the activities market through services such as the home sharing platform’s Experiences, which has reported recent growth.