Expedia Group Unveils AI-Powered Innovations, Enhancing Travel Partner Experiences
Expedia Group announced several new product releases at its annual EXPLORE™ partner conference in Las Vegas. The latest innovations, more than 40 new products and features, are set to enhance the traveler and partner experiences. The release’s highlight is Romie™, an AI-powered travel assistant that helps plan, shop, book, and manage trips, providing personalized recommendations and real-time assistance. Romie can join group chats to offer travel suggestions, summarize conversations to personalize searches, and build itineraries. If something unexpected happens or goes wrong, Romie can troubleshoot and help make last-minute suggestions.
“We believe in re-imagining the traveler experience and then using the latest in AI to bring it to life, and with Romie, we’ve done just that,” said Rathi Murthy, CTO, Expedia Group. “We created an AI assistant with hyper-personalization in mind so that travelers can choose when they want Romie’s help on their own terms. Romie can assist throughout dreaming, planning, and traveling or even when things don’t go as planned, all while getting more intelligent as the traveler interacts.”
Expedia also unveiled a travel media network that leverages first-party traveler data to develop curated media and targeted advertising campaigns. The network, supported by partnerships with Netflix and Disney+, allows advertisers to tap into Expedia’s 60,000-plus B2B partners to reach a broad audience across various platforms, enhancing engagement and driving conversions.
Check out Expedia Group’s Instagram reel about its new product releases here:
ttps://www.instagram.com/reel/C69S9oANSB4/
Wyndham and Decameron Partnership Expands Reward Program Offerings
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced a new collaboration with Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, expanding Wyndham’s portfolio by more than 2,600 rooms. The partnership introduces nine new resorts in Mexico, Panama, and Jamaica to Wyndham’s rapidly growing collection, which now exceeds 50 locations worldwide.
“Whether it’s a honeymoon or a family vacation, all-inclusive resorts take the stress out of getting away, bundling virtually every aspect of the trip into one single price. It’s what makes all-inclusives a beloved travel option for guests and why, increasingly, operators like Decameron are turning to Wyndham—helping to significantly expand their reach to travelers around the globe,” said Gustavo Viescas, President, Latin America and the Caribbean, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Wyndham Rewards® members can now earn points to redeem for free nights at the new resorts, which include picturesque locations such as Riviera Nayarit’s Banderas Bay, Cornwell Beach in Northwest Jamaica, and Runaway Bay, among others. Five resorts will join the Trademark Collection® by Wyndham brand, and four will be under the Ramada® by Wyndham brand. All will join Wyndham Rewards, and members can earn 10 points for every dollar spent on qualifying stays. Some offer free nights for just 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night. The collaboration also brings Decameron into Wyndham’s extensive marketing, technology, and distribution platforms.
Learn more about Wyndham Rewards® here:
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-rewards
PetSmart Seeks New Chief Toy Testers
PetSmart is searching for the next dog and cat team to become Chief Toy Testers (CTT). Whiskey, the dog, and Loki, the cat, will hand the leashes off to the winning applicants. Pet parents are encouraged to submit their pets’ applications for a chance to become 2024’s CTT. The CTT will be responsible for reviewing PetSmart’s latest products and offering feedback on upcoming collections. Each selected Chief Toy Tester will be compensated with up to $10,000.
“We have such a fun and exciting lineup of toys, apparel, and treats rolling out this year, and we cannot wait to share them with our new Chief Toy Testers and all pet parents,” said James Elasky, SVP of Merchandising and Chief Merchant at PetSmart. “Our wide assortment has something for every pet, play style, season, and price point to help pet parents create more moments of connection and joy together.”
Throughout their one-year tenure, the Chief Toy Testers will receive quarterly packages of the latest toys, treats, and costumes. Their responsibilities include testing the products and posting reviews on social media. The ideal candidates should enjoy playing with toys, trying out new treats, and posing in pet apparel. Their human parents must commit to a one-year contract and have the ability to create engaging social media content showcasing their pets. In return, the Chief Toy Testers will receive bragging rights, a $2,500 quarterly check, and early access to treats, toys, and more. Plus, they’ll have the distinct honor of having their faces featured on PetSmart store displays and signage. Pet parents should submit an application by May 29, 2024, for their pets to be considered for the role. The application process includes a 15-30-second video of their pet and a 200-word or less review of their pet’s favorite toy.
Watch this video promoting the search for this year’s PetSmart Chief Toy Tester:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k8sC4R4tD04
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Original Article Links:
Put Your Trip on Autopilot: Expedia Group Introduces New Innovations at EXPLORE to Take the Stress out of Travel and Enhance Partner Experience
Wyndham and Decameron Team Up to Expand All-Inclusive Offerings
PetSmart Searches for Next ‘Chief Toy Tester’ Offering $20,000 to the New Team Members