Agoda expanded its AI Assistant to users in 21 markets, including Việt Nam. — Photo Courtesy of Agoda

HCM CITY — Online travel platform Agoda has expanded its AI Assistant to users in 21 markets, including Việt Nam, after first introducing it as a limited test in September.

For the first time in its more than 20-year history, the company has introduced a new booking experience on its platform. The AI Assistant helps users discover, plan and book trips through Agoda’s mobile app.

The assistant answers customers’ questions and combines conversational trip planning with Agoda’s live inventory of more than six million accommodation options, flights, tours, attractions and other travel services. Users can explore ideas, compare options, check prices and availability, and continue booking without restarting the process at each step.

A trip-planner canvas brings travel plans together, including upcoming bookings, places users want to visit and ideas still being considered. Users can interact with the assistant conversationally or choose from suggested options while keeping their itinerary and previous decisions in view.

Early beta results show that users of the AI Assistant are more likely to book a “connected trip” combining multiple travel products, such as accommodation, flights, attraction tickets and tours.

Agoda has also integrated web search into the assistant to provide up-to-date information alongside its live inventory. Its conversational functions are powered by OpenAI models, while information on restaurants and points of interest is provided using Gemini with Google Maps Grounding, including ratings, photos, opening hours and locations.

Agoda chief executive Omri Morgenshtern said travel planning was often fragmented, requiring people to switch between apps, browser tabs, messages and spreadsheets.

The AI Assistant is intended to understand users’ preferences and trip details, helping them plan with less repetitive work, he said.

Agoda’s mobile app offers more than six million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes and more than 300,000 activities. — VNS