Skift Take
On today's podcast, we discuss Google's AI travel tools, New York City's hotel room shortage, and airport lounges in the run up to the Olympics.
Rashad Jorden
Good morning from Skift. It's Wednesday, May 29th, and we're here to tell you what you need to know about the travel industry today.
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Episode Notes
Google has launched several AI-powered products in recent months to further its reach into the travel industry. Travel tech reporter Justin Dawes takes a closer look at four of them.
Dawes points out that Google has built new AI capabilities into the software of its physical products, including mobile phones. A new feature on Android devices lets users translate on-screen content without switching apps. Travel technology company Sabre recently unveiled SabreMosaic, a new AI-powered retail platform for airlines that enables airlines to create and sell personalized retail experiences.
Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines plans to introduce a trip planner built with Google technology, and IHG Hotels & Resorts will release a Google AI-powered trip planning tool within its One Rewards mobile app later this year.
Secondly, New York City hotel rates hit an all-time high, largely due to a lack of supply, writes senior hospitality editor Sean O'Neill.
The average nightly room rate in New York City was $231 in the first quarter, up about 7% from last year, according to data firm CoStar. O'Neill said one big factor in the price hike is local officials' effective ban on short-term rentals in the city. Before the crackdown, short-term rentals made up about 10% of tourist stays in the city, The New York Times reported.
Prices have also risen as the city has converted thousands of hotel rooms into accommodation for migrants, a move that has reduced the city's net number of hotel rooms by about 2% compared to pre-COVID levels.
Finally, Air France is planning to open an ultra-luxury airport lounge ahead of the Paris Olympics, reports aviation editor Gordon Smith.
Smith noted that while the concept of airlines offering special treatments to premium guests is nothing new, Air France is pushing the envelope even further with its new ultra-luxurious La Premiere lounge, which offers passengers access to a spa and a menu designed by celebrity chef Alain Ducasse.
Additionally, Air France premium guests can reserve space in three completely private suites adjacent to the main La Première lounge, each with a double bedroom, outdoor patio and a personal butler on the patio.
Producer/Presenter: José Marmolejos
Photo credit: The new lounge facility will be exclusively for La Première guests.
