India-based online travel agency MakeMyTrip (MMT) has launched a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled trip planning assistant building on its Myra assistant, which was unveiled last year.

The assistant aims to help travelers with every stage of trip planning using a conversational interface enabling both voice and text and is a “notable upgrade to the existing AI agent, Myra,” the company said.

Users can ask the assistant complex questions such as “Where can I go in August for a relaxing holiday with my kids?”and receive personalized recommendations with real-time pricing and availability.

“We have always believed that technology is at its best when it solves complex problems behind the scenes, while making the customer interface as intuitive and as delightful as possible,” said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MMT.

“With gen AI, we take that vision further by turning intent into action through natural, human-like conversations. By enabling access initially in Hindi, and expanding to multiple Indian languages soon, this launch has the potential to solve for the Bharat heartland, reaching the deepest corners and bringing seamless, intelligent travel booking to those who’ve long been underserved by digital platforms. It brings together the full strength of our platform, including customer preferences data, supply, user-generated content, personalization and real-time intelligence, to power the next era of travel: connected journeys that intuitively adapt to each traveler’s needs, from start to finish.”

Sanjay Mohan, group chief technology officer, described the development as one of MMT’s “most ambitious tech builds.”

“It is also the first of its kind to operate across so many categories, in real time, and at this depth. Our in-house team has developed custom language models and layered them with planning, scheduling and verification systems that work in sync and respond in real time. The result is a multi-agent AI framework that collaborates across categories to deliver a seamless experience. The system is currently in beta, allowing us to learn from real interactions and continue strengthening it,” said Mohan.

The beta version of the assistant is available in English and Hindi, with additional India languages in the pipeline. 

MMT said it plans to introduce “richer semantic search capabilities” as well as develop AI use cases around images and video going forward.

Vietnamese travelers are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their journeys, according to the newly released Global AI Sentiment Report from Booking.com. Based on a survey of over 37,000 consumers across 33 markets, including Vietnam, the report highlights how AI is reshaping travel experiences.

In Vietnam, 99% of users leverage AI-powered search tools, 92% use AI-generated content recommendations, and 95% interact with generative AI tools, underscoring AI’s growing role in daily travel planning and decision-making.

The report categorizes Vietnamese travelers based on their attitudes toward AI. Nearly 47% identify as AI enthusiasts, intrigued and excited about AI’s potential. Another 28% are AI advocates, who support responsible adoption of AI technologies. Together, these groups reflect strong openness and optimism about AI’s benefits in tourism.

Beyond improving convenience and efficiency, AI is also expected to bring positive social impact. A significant 80% of Vietnamese respondents acknowledge this aspect, while 79% appreciate AI’s ability to help them avoid overcrowded destinations and peak hours, enhancing the quality of their experiences.

Sustainability and local impact are also top of mind. Seventy-six percent of Vietnamese travelers want AI to prioritize recommendations that benefit local communities, highlighting a shift toward more responsible tourism.

Despite widespread enthusiasm, caution remains. Ninety-one percent of respondents expressed at least one concern about the long-term implications of AI. Specifically, 4% consider themselves AI cautious, worried about its development and application; 2% are AI skeptics, and 6% identify as AI detractors, signaling that a meaningful segment is still hesitant.

These findings underscore the need for balanced and responsible AI implementation, ensuring user trust while maximizing its potential. The evolving perspectives of Vietnamese travelers will shape not only the future of AI in tourism, but also its integration across other sectors in Vietnam.

PV