Recently, during its EXPLORE Connect B2B event for APAC partners, Expedia Group unveiled a new suite of AI and machine learning-powered tools designed to help partners drive speed, scale, and personalization. Highlights include Smart Trip AI, a new trip planning tool that provides hotel and activity inspiration, and the piloting of the Lodging Sponsored Listings API, a new advertising solution that unlocks advertising for B2B partners.
“As the leader in B2B travel, our goal is to be the one stop shop for our partners by giving them the smartest, most reliable and scalable tools in the industry,” said Alfonso Paredes, president, Expedia Group B2B. “From AI powered trip planning to new merchandising and advertising solutions, we help partners grow with confidence, deliver exceptional experiences and stay competitive in a fast-changing travel landscape.”
AI and machine learning-powered features: With more than 350 AI models currently integrated throughout Expedia Group’s marketplace, every stage of the travel journey is enhanced. By combining its vast first-party data with AI, Expedia Group delivers smarter, more personalized experiences for partners and travelers.
- Smart Trip AI: Curated Planning at Scale
Today’s travelers expect effortless planning. By marrying industry expertise, travel supply and cutting-edge technology with a partner’s loyalty offerings, Smart Trip AI™ delivers a conversational AI tool that provides curated, real-time trip recommendations. It streamlines the planning process, by helping users discover, compare and select options more efficiently. - Merchandising API: Smarter Campaigns, Better Deals
Merchandising is about promoting travel products — like hotels and packages — effectively. Surfacing timely, relevant and valuable offers to travelers when they start planning their next trip allows brands to deepen engagement and increase conversion at the right moment. With 58% of travelers signaling they are more price-conscious this year, promoting valuable deals is critical. Our new Merchandising solutions, rolling out in 2026, use machine learning to help partners run timely, high-performing campaigns quickly and effectively. This product is currently in beta testing. - Typeahead API: From Inspiration to Booking
Typehead API unlocks an effective way for partners to guide travelers from inspiration to booking. When travelers start typing in the search bar, the tool instantly suggests relevant destinations and locations, making it easier to find what they’re looking for. This leads to a better shopping experience, retains more visitors on site, and increases booking rates. Tripbtoz, an online travel agency headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, saw a 20% boost in search-to-book conversion after integrating the API.
Amplifying partner content through Expedia Group Advertising: Our full-funnel travel media network provides unparalleled reach, connecting with travelers on-site, offsite, and through our B2B network.
- Lodging Sponsored Listings API: Monetize Traffic with Relevant Recommendations
The Lodging Sponsored Listings API enables B2B partners to display lodging sponsored listings from Expedia Group on their own sites, apps, or platforms. This allows them to monetize their traffic while offering relevant property recommendations to their travelers and provides lodging advertisers more opportunities to reach new audiences. The product is currently in beta testing.
“Through this new suite of tools, we’re enabling seamless, personalized experiences that turn inspiration into action and traffic into value,” says Karen Bolda, chief product and technology officer, B2B. “This is about empowering our partners to grow with speed, intelligence, and impact in a rapidly evolving travel landscape.”
