Imagine telling your phone that you want a quiet boutique hotel near a city centre, below a certain price, with a decent breakfast and late checkout. A few seconds later, an AI assistant compares the options, explains why each one fits and helps complete the booking. This is no longer hypothetical.

In late August this year, Google began rolling out hotel booking through its AI Mode search feature in the US. Travellers can describe their preferences conversationally, compare hotels and guest reviews, select a room, check cancellation conditions and complete the booking using Google Pay. Partners include Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott and IHG, the parent company of Holiday Inn.

The traveller still confirms the transaction. But that final click can obscure how much of the searching, comparing and decision-making has already been delegated to agentic AI.

This points to a significant change in how artificial intelligence may shape travel. AI is moving from systems that mainly answer questions towards systems that can increasingly interpret goals, make decisions and take action.

From answering questions to taking action

Hotels have used chatbots and recommendation systems for years. Most are reactive: a guest asks when breakfast starts, and the chatbot provides the answer. A traveller enters dates and preferences, and a booking site recommends suitable hotels.

Agentic AI goes further. These........

© The Conversation