Google is preparing to introduce agentic AI tools that can actually book hotels and flights directly within its AI Mode search experience, moving beyond simple trip inspiration and information. Working closely with major hotel and OTA partners like Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott, IHG and Choice, Google aims to deliver more automated, confidence-building booking flows, although no launch date has been set. This push comes as tech giants and leading travel players race to deploy agentic AI, with analysts predicting mature, fully agentic booking experiences within the next two years. While Google already uses AI Mode to handle restaurant, ticketing and appointment bookings, the business model for monetising agentic AI in travel remains unsettled, even as new tools like Canvas offer increasingly powerful, conversational trip-planning capabilities.

5 main takeaways

  1. Google is moving from inspiration to transaction
    Agentic AI in travel means tools that complete tasks like bookings and itinerary changes, not just generate ideas. Google plans to add this capability for hotels and flights directly inside AI Mode.
  2. Deep partnerships with major travel brands
    Google is developing these tools “very closely” with leading OTAs and hotel groups, including Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott, IHG and Choice, signalling that distribution and partner integration are core to the strategy.
  3. Race among tech and travel heavyweights
    Google’s dominance in search is being challenged by Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic and highly capitalised travel players like Expedia Group, all investing heavily in AI-powered planning and booking. Analysts expect mature agentic AI travel tools within roughly one to two years.
  4. Business models and marketing playbooks will change
    Unlike today’s clear Google Ads model, the monetisation of agentic AI is still unclear. Traditional SEM and SEO practices in travel will likely evolve into new disciplines such as “AI-engine optimisation” once the economics of these AI ecosystems are defined.
  5. Google is already upgrading trip planning via Canvas
    While full agentic booking is still ahead, Google has enhanced its Canvas tool so users can create customised travel plans using real-time data from flights, hotels, Maps, photos and reviews, refining itineraries simply by describing their trip as if talking to a friend.

Read the full article at travelweekly.com