Expedia's AI Tool Uses Instagram Reels to Plan and Book Trips

Expedia's AI Trip Planner

• 💡 Expedia Trip Matching is a new tool that uses artificial intelligence to help users plan and book trips.
• 🎯 Users can send any public Instagram Reel to Expedia via direct message (DM).
• ✈️ Expedia then responds with a DM containing bookable trip ideas, including places to stay, best times to visit, suggested itineraries, hidden gems, and estimated costs.

How to Use the Tool

• 📱 To use the tool, share an Instagram Reel by tapping the paper airplane icon and searching for Expedia.
• 💬 Expedia will send back a DM with trip suggestions, which can be saved for later or used to book immediately through the app.
• ⚠️ The tool is currently in beta, with a public release planned for June.

Beta Testing and Limitations

• 🚀 Users interested in participating in the beta can direct message Expedia with the hashtag #trip matching access.
• 🚫 The tool requires publicly available travel content and cannot process private Reels or content unrelated to travel (e.g., a Reel of a dog in a backyard).

Meeting Traveler Needs

• 📈 The goal of the tool is to reduce friction between dreaming about a trip and actually booking it.
• 👥 Expedia aims to meet millennials where they are, as 80% rely on social media for travel information and booking.
• ✨ The concept aims to capture the inspiration users get from seeing travel content on social media and turn it into actionable plans.