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ChatGPT is now a better place to start planning your trip, but finalizing those plans still needs to be done the traditional way.

Justin Dawes

OpenAI has arguably achieved its greatest update again at ChatGPT on Thursday.

Users can now ask ChatGPT to search the web, combining real-time results with AI-generated content. This has obvious implications for travel and addresses early criticism of ChatGPT, namely that it was able to answer general questions about a destination, but not share real-time information like events future.

OpenAI said it plans to continue strengthening its search engine with a particular emphasis on travel.

This new version of ChatGPT most closely resembles the AI search engine on Bingwhich Microsoft launched in early 2023. Like Bing, OpenAI’s new search engine is more useful in some ways because it cites links. Just like Bing, search results on the new ChatGPT search engine may be inaccurate.

Skift has tested how the new web search feature on ChatGPT works for flights, hotels, activities and attractions, and restaurants.

Flights

The prompt: “Find me a non-stop flight from New York to London for this Thursday for one person.”

The answer:

• ChatGPT shared options from Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and American Airlines. They were accompanied by links to the Virgin Atlantic website, Kayak and Skyscanner, respectively.
• After clicking on each of the links, the user is invited to start a new search on the respective websites.
• The prices indicated by the AI ​​were very far apart. ChatGPT said the Virgin Atlantic flight, for example, would cost $460 for a round trip. It was actually $757 one way.

Hotels

The prompt: “What are the options for a hotel under $200/night in a trendy area of ​​London for next weekend? The room must have a king-size bed and the hotel must have access to the roof.

The answer:

• “Finding a hotel in London with a king-size bed, rooftop access and a rate under $200 per night can be difficult, especially in trendy areas. However, here are some options that closely match your criteria.
• There were two hotel options and links, as well as pins placed on an interactive map providing a user experience similar to Google Maps or Tripadvisor.
• Each link takes the user to the respective hotel’s website and requires the user to search there again. One hotel was priced well over $200 and the other hotel was fully booked for the requested weekend.
• A quick, regular search on Kayak shows dozens of options that match your needs.

Activities and attractions

The prompt: “What are the events or artistic places to visit, off the beaten track, for the next weekend in London?”

The answer:

• ChatGPT included two lists of options, allowing the user to choose the preferred response. Each suggestion included a referral link and a photo.
• The lists only included non-traditional options, which fits the prompt.
• Most of the event suggestions were accurate for the appropriate weekend, taken from recent articles in publications such as Time Out. A similar prior test for Bing showed that many suggestions were outdated because the AI ​​cited old articles.
• One suggestion was for an art exhibit that no longer exists, taken from an article written in 2016.
• Overall, it was a useful way to find non-traditional places and events.

Restaurants

The prompt: “Find trendy fusion restaurants with good reviews in London and include a map.”

The answer:

• ChatGPT provided three restaurants with links to their websites, as well as pins placed on an interactive map providing a user experience similar to Google Maps or Tripadvisor.
• Suggestions also included opening hours, price ranges, review scores and short restaurant descriptions. The prices and reviews don’t match those on Google and it’s unclear where they come from. Opening hours are not always precise.
• There is also a link to Google Maps to get directions and to Google Voice to make a phone call.

Conclusion

This update was a big step forward for ChatGPT, combining generative AI technology with real-time insights.

The dream is that all of these travel suggestions are accurate, of course, and can be booked through the same ChatGPT platform. And the biggest dream would be for every step of the journey to be connected to data, allowing travelers to seamlessly manage their trips through the same platform, as well as use it during and after the trip.

This dream is still far away. In addition to the limitations of AI, it’s also because the travel industry is far behind the important step of standardizing and sharing data.

ChatGPT is now a better place to start planning your trip, but finalizing those plans still needs to be done the traditional way.