Google users can now describe their next trip in AI search and select “Create with Canvas,” which will create an itinerary in the sidebar along with flight and hotel details. The document it creates can present potential plans with suggestions based on user input as well as photos and reviews from Google Maps.
You can refine the plan you’ve developed by adding follow-up questions or additional requests, such as asking for hotel suggestions based on prices and amenities or activities based on travel times. US users will now have access to trip planning using Canvas on your computer if they have opted for AI mode in the labs and the plans made are stored in the AI mode history.
The Canvas feature was introduced in March as a lively workspace for Gemini that can display real-time coding results or other information such as constantly updated study plans, and has since been expanded to become part of the AI mode in Search. Google announced travel planning features for Gemini last year, but that brings them closer to everyone who uses the search engine, which probably isn’t good news for other travel agencies like Kayak and Expedia that are also building their own AI-powered features.
Google is also expanding the types of activities that can be booked indirectly via AI. Labs users in the US can already employ the AI Mode agent to automatically book event tickets and local meetings using bots, and starting this week, the agent restaurant booking feature will be available to all users in the US, not just Labs users. AI Mode displays a list of options with links to finalize your reservation through Google partners such as OpenTable, Resy, Tock, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, among others.
Google says it is also working with hotel companies and online booking platforms including Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott International and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to eventually implement indirect flight and hotel bookings. It also announced the expansion of its AI-powered flight search engine to Google Flights, which is now available to users in the US, Canada and India. Google says a global rollout has already begun in over 200 countries and territories with support for over 60 languages.