Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT, and Travel Brands Are Paying Attention
OpenAI has begun testing ads inside ChatGPT, opening a new channel for travel brands to reach consumers during trip planning conversations.
OpenAI has begun testing ads inside ChatGPT, opening a new channel for travel brands to reach consumers during trip planning conversations.
Steppes Travel has launched an 11-day Innovation Tourism journey through China, offering behind-the-scenes access to the country’s leading technology hubs and design centers.
Accor becomes one of the first global hotel groups to integrate its booking and loyalty ecosystem directly into ChatGPT, reshaping how travelers discover and book hotels.
As AI becomes more autonomous across the travel industry, Sabre is outlining a new framework that puts trust, security, and governance at the center of innovation.
Uganda-based travel tech company Tripesa has launched Roamio, an AI-powered travel marketplace designed to connect travelers directly with vetted local operators across Africa.
Hospitality technology platform Mews has secured $300 million in fresh funding, positioning itself as a global leader in AI-driven hotel operations and digital guest experiences.
Capital One is expanding its reach into managed business travel and corporate payments with a $5.15 billion acquisition of fintech platform Brex, signaling a bold push beyond consumer banking.
Haneda Airport is piloting an automatic clothing compression service that allows travelers to shrink worn clothes to palm size, aiming to reduce luggage stress and improve airport convenience.
As OpenAI begins testing ads inside ChatGPT, travel brands may gain access to a powerful new channel where trip planning, discovery, and commercial intent converge in real time.
Airbnb’s leadership change underscores how artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to infrastructure in travel platforms, shaping how trips are planned, booked, and experienced.
China has introduced the Nihao China app, a new all-in-one digital platform designed to help international travelers navigate payments, transport, and everyday services with ease.
Google’s new Universal Commerce Protocol is built to help AI agents complete purchases inside conversations – a model that could translate naturally to complex travel bookings.
Sabre used CES 2026 to demonstrate how agentic AI could fundamentally change travel booking, shifting responsibility from travelers to intelligent systems embedded across the industry.
Oasis Travel Network has launched OTN Academy, a self-paced online training program designed to onboard and support brand-new travel advisors.
Saudi Arabia is rolling out mandatory beach regulations and a centralized digital guide in 2026, reshaping how coastal tourism is managed across the Red Sea under Vision 2030.