OpenAI on Thursday unveiled a new capability for its ChatGPT chatbot called agent mode, and it’s more than just a smarter chatbot. 

So what’s new? The agent can now take real action: it can browse the web, run code, analyze files, log into websites with your permission, and deliver full reports or slideshows.

More significantly for travel, it can navigate websites, drag and drop items, use a cursor to click around, add products to carts, and even complete bookings for hotels, tours and flights.

The feature isn’t yet available in most of Europe, and OpenAI hasn’t provided a timeline for when it will be usable there. It isn’t clear if it’s available in other parts of the world, except the U.S. Skift has contacted OpenAI for a clarification.

Who Is ChatGPT Agent For and How Much Does It Cost?

Access to the new ChatGPT agent is currently only available to paid ChatGPT Plus, Team or Pro subscribers. The price ranges from $20 upwards. Pro already has access, OpenAI said.

“Plus and Team users will get access over the next few days. Enterprise and Education users will get access in the coming weeks. Pro users have 400 messages per month, while other paid users get 40 messages monthly, with additional usage available via flexible credit-based options,” OpenAI said.

OpenAI positions this as a tool for students, small business owners, creatives, professionals and anyone who needs a digital assistant. But it’s especially useful for people buried in admin, research, or scheduling tasks.

It integrates with tools like email and calendars, so it can summarize inboxes or help coordinate meeting times.

From Browsing to Booking: Travel’s AI Leap

In a demo video accompanying the launch, OpenAI shows the agent planning and booking a trip for a wedding.

“In your personal life, you can use it to effortlessly plan and book travel itineraries, design and book entire dinner parties, or find specialists and schedule appointments,” OpenAI said.

The user asks it to not only plan the trip but also select an outfit, check hotel prices and availability on Booking.com, and make the reservation. 

This isn’t just theoretical: the agent clicks around like a human would and completes the booking.

OpenAI suggests that travel agents could use the agent to compare packages, update spreadsheets, generate promotional content, or even create newsletters. 

The agent can pull in real-time alerts, local events, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path suggestions, acting like a concierge or planner.

For Travelers: A Personal Concierge

Planning a trip is often a mess of tabs, reviews, flight deals, and itinerary ideas. OpenAI says agent mode tries to cut through that.

Here’s what ChatGPT says it can now do with agent:

Custom Travel Planning: For travelers, you can tell ChatGPT your destination and preferences. It’ll research the best flights, hotels, sights, and even book them, with their approval. 

Itinerary Creation: If tourists are looking for a weekend trip or a group tour plan, ChatGPT agent can put together an editable itinerary, complete with maps and bookings.

For example: “Plan a 10-day trip to Japan with a focus on food and temples, staying within a $3,000 budget”

The agent will research everything, but also compare prices, create a day-by-day itinerary, and help book accommodations and activities. 

It can take over the internet browser, filter results, prompt users to log in to booking sites, and gather everything they would need.

It can also connect to calendars so it won’t plan anything when people are unavailable. If travelers want to check if a local tour is highly rated and available next Thursday morning? It can handle that too.

It can adapt to preferences over time. So if a traveler loves boutique hotels, hates red-eye flights, or always wants to include a cooking class, it can start to bake those preferences into every plan. 

Locals like to say New Orleans is the only place in America you can live as an expat. It’s not due to one aspect in particular, but a handful. There’s the European aesthetic of this town, with its handsome, Creole townhouses and pristine gardens and commitment to antiquated illumination in flickering gas lanterns. Then, there are the Caribbean appeals. Hurricane-battered palm trees lean over pastel cottages, and Haitian influence is woven into the cultural cornerstones of art and spirituality.

Sometimes, the saying is a happy jab at the rather laissez faire attitude of the residents. When it comes to a strict 9-to-5 mentality, this city takes a more Spanish or Italian approach. Have a little gin at breakfast. Sit in a café for hours after lunch, people watching as the literary giants did before you. Take a nap. You’ll need the rest. The best stories are written once darkness falls.

While Americans won’t need a passport to visit, New Orleans certainly feels foreign. That’s particularly true when it comes to eating. From Creole and Cajun dishes that preserve Louisiana’s past and African ingredients carried by enslaved ancestors to Vietnamese recipes honoring refugees fleeing a war and fusions of Cantonese, Thai, Sicilian, and French cuisines—New Orleans is a port town for flavors.

Here’s how to experience the best of the city in just a couple of days.

Who Am I: I’m Jenny Adams, a writer and photographer now living in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, after six years of living in the French Quarter. I’m the author of two books on the city—the first, a cocktail/bar history of the town’s most sainted establishments, and the second, a full history of the beautiful, century-plus Hotel Monteleone. I cover food and beverage stories in town for a number of publications, but also personality profiles, art exhibits and exciting hotel stays. I’m represented in photography by the Where Y’Art gallery, located in the Marigny.

• Designed For The Discerning Traveler, The New Program Offers Bespoke One-, Three-, And Five-Hour Itineraries At Conrad Destinations Worldwide, Including Conrad In Pune and Conrad Bengaluru.

Mumbai, INDIA – July 14, 2025 – Conrad Hotels & Resorts announces the launch of Conrad 1/3/5, a signature brand program designed to encourage fresh perspectives through immersive, thoughtfully curated experiences for the modern traveler. Inspired by the legacy of founder Barron Hilton, the program offers time-tailored itineraries – built around 1, 3, or 5 hours long duration – inviting guests to discover each destination through the lens of bold design, local culture and meaningful connections.

Whether guests have a single hour or an entire afternoon, Conrad Hotels & Resorts provide tailored experiences unique to each destination – taking into account individual tastes, preferences, and available time, helping them uncover the soul of a place through its people, culture, and local stories. Reflecting the growing desire among luxury travelers to invest in itinerary-driven experiences, the program blends comfort with discovery through seamless, itinerary-led adventures. According to Hilton’s recent Trends Report, nearly 70% of global travelers enjoy being active on their trips, and over 75% prioritize hotels offering diverse, immersive adventures. Each 1/3/5 itinerary will be crafted by and bookable through the Conrad Concierge and will provide a highly localized activity meant to make a lasting impact – all without compromising on luxury or ease.

“At Conrad Hotels & Resorts, we believe that luxury travel is about how you experience a destination throughout your stay,” said Dino Michael, SVP & global head, Hilton Luxury Brands. “With the launch of Conrad 1/3/5, we’re empowering our guests to discover new perspectives through curated, time-tailored experiences that go beyond the expected. Whether guests want to enjoy a quick tour or embark on a full afternoon of local discovery, this program reflects our commitment to offering meaningful, memorable experiences that connect them more deeply to the world around them.”

Conrad 1/3/5 will be introduced across Conrad properties globally, ensuring guests around the world can connect more meaningfully with their destination. Available at the Concierge desk, the program will be thoughtfully localized by each property, allowing every hotel to bring the concept to life in its own distinctive and culturally relevant way.

Experiences in Asia Pacific Conrad Pune

1 Hour

· Visit to Aga Khan Palace: Stroll through colonial architecture and lush gardens at this historic site tied to India’s Independence movement. Guests can explore solo or opt for a guided visit with serene morning prayers.

3 Hours

· Spiritual and Market Trail: Guests can explore Pune’s spiritual heritage and street culture, beginning with visit to the revered Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple and Pataleshwar Cave Temple.

· End with a stroll through the vibrant markets of Tulshi Baug and Laxmi Road for a mix of sacred heritage and local life.

5 Hours

· Sinhagad Fort Trek and Spa: Start with a 2.7km trek to the historic Sinhagad Fort for sweeping views of the Western Ghats, sweeping with Maratha legacy.

· After the climb, unwind at Conrad Pune with a 90-minute Signature Spa treatment – a restorative ritual that rewards both body and spirit.

Conrad Bengaluru

1 Hour

· Sambar Masterclass: Learn the art of making South India’s iconic dish with regional variations, while exploring culinary heritage across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

3 Hours

· Pottery and Honey Tasting Experience: The itinerary begins with a hands-on pottery session. From there, guests meet Apoorva BV, the ‘Beeman’ of India, whose work with native honeybees intertwines ecological wisdom. The experience concludes with a honey-themed high tea.

5 Hours

· Old Bengaluru Heritage Walk: Explore vintage bookstores, jasmine-scented streets, and temple corridors. Take home a sensory keepsake featuring filter coffee and dried jasmine. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

1 Hour

· Undersea Dining at Ithaa: Dine beneath the sea at the world’s first undersea restaurant, surrounded by panoramic views of vibrant marine life, OR

· Jet Lagoon Tour: Cruise across crystal-clear waters by jet boat while spotting reef sharks, rays, and coral beds. Led by an expert guide, the journey blends ocean adventure with marine storytelling.

3 Hours

· Manta Talk and Snorkel: For those with an open afternoon, embark on a thrilling search for Mantas in the South Ari Atoll led by the resident Marine Biologists.

5 Hours

· Extended Manta and Reef Experience: Venture further into the atolls for multiple snorkelling sessions and rich marine exploration. Enjoy personalized insights from s residen Marine Biologist and a refreshment break onboard. Conrad Tokyo

1 hour

● Omakase Coffee Experience by Lonich: Meticulously curated using rare beans from exclusive farms and global auctions, each pour showcases bold flavour profiles, refined aromas, and impeccable technique.

● A Premium Sake Journey: Crafted by Yaegaki Sake & Spirits — a house with over 350 years of brewing heritage — pairs five elegant expressions of Hasegawa Eiga with a seasonal dish by a master chef in a traditional tatami room.

3 hours

● The Ukiyo-e Masterclass, from Hokusai to the World: Watch The Great Wave come to life from washi paper as a Certified Master of Traditional Craft recreates Hokusai’s iconic print. Gain deeper insight through a private lecture with Yukiko Takahashi, a living legend of Japanese art.

● The Onigiri Workshop: Experience traditional flavors at Shinbashi Tamakiya, a historic shop founded in 1782 and now run by its 10th-generation owner. Learn about the legacy of this centuries-old establishment, sample its signature tsukudani (preserved seafood) made with a secret sauce, and enjoy crafting your own onigiri rice balls. Guests may also take home a Tamakiya

product of their choice as a souvenir. This experience is offered by Wabunka, operated by J-CAT Inc.

5 hours

● Tokyo OCHA (Tea) Night: The experience starts at a neighbourhood izakaya for traditional tea pairings, before shifting to a contemporary tea bar where brews are given a modern twist.

● Samurai Spirit: Sword Making: Witness a master swordsmith in action, then forge tamahagane steel with your own hands — a rare honour and rite of passage into Japan’s warrior heritage.

Conrad Bali

1 hour

● Sway Sleep Journey: Guests are wrapped in a weighted blanket and provided with a heated eye pillow then gently cocooned in a swing-style aerial hammock to mimic the comfort of resting on a fluffy cloud or the warm darkness of the womb – inviting the bliss of deep sleep.

● Crystal Sound Healing & Chakra Balancing: This deeply restorative experience with resident healder Ayu Mas uses sound vibrations and crystal energy to harmonize the body’s seven chakra centers.

3 hours

● Full Moon (Purnama) Celebration: Held every 28 days, this experience begins with traditional Canangsari and Tridatu-making activities, followed by a sacred ritual at the resort’s temple. As the moon rises, guests participate in a calming beachside meditation, culminating in a Melukat spiritual purification ceremony – a traditional cleansing of body and soul.

● Nawa Sanga Yantra Art Therapy: This immersive session blends colour, shape, and intention to foster self-expression, healing, and personal insight, all under the guidance of a skilled practitioner.

5 hours

● Foraging & Forest Bathing: Experience Forest bathing (shinrin yoku) on a full-day guided journey through Bali’s diverse landscapes. Travel by vintage off-road vehicle and jukung kayak to the Bedugul rainforest, then trek under towering Rasamala trees. The day ends with a peaceful lunch by a waterfall before returning to the resort.

● Scenic Cooking Journey: In an immersive culinary journey into the heart of Balinese culture, choose between a guided tour of the Astungkara Way Regenerative Farm or the Amed Salt Panning Farm, each offering a hands-on glimpse into Balinese food traditions. Then, learn to cook one of two traditional Balinese dishes in a chef-led session using your harvested ingredients.