Sabre Corporation, a prominent software and technology provider that fuels the global travel industry, has unveiled its latest innovation, Lodging AI. This new tool, part of Sabre’s Travel AI capabilities, is set to revolutionize the lodging sector by enhancing the power of Content Services for Lodging. Lodging AI is designed to aid travel agencies in boosting hotel attachment rates, thereby creating additional revenue opportunities and offering travelers more personalized lodging options. It employs Sabre Travel AI’s machine learning models to analyze various factors such as property attributes, customer trip segmentation, and traveler and agency preferences. The goal? To generate custom lodging options and highlight properties that are most likely to be booked. Garry Wiseman, Sabre’s Chief Product Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in the travel booking process.
He said, “Artificial intelligence combined with data and insights, such as profiles and preferences, is a very powerful tool in removing friction from the travel booking process.” He added that Lodging AI, supported through their strategic partnership with Google, brings more personalized results, enabling agents to be more efficient and ensuring travelers obtain the most relevant options available. The initial two micro-services of Lodging AI are now accessible. The first, ‘Alternate properties,’ comes into play during the shopping phase.
If a specifically requested property is unavailable, this micro-service presents up to 20 relevant options with similar characteristics. The second, ‘Cross-sell,’ identifies air bookings or itineraries with no lodging attached and presents suitable lodging options to complete the trip. Available through Content Services for Lodging APIs and Sabre Red 360, Lodging AI aims to help Sabre customers increase traveler value by offering relevant lodging options to accompany the air travel booking. It also seeks to drive profitability by capturing a greater share of wallet. Corporate travel managers may also benefit from improved duty of care and reporting with more trip components inside a PNR. Travelers, on the other hand, can enjoy access to more customized options based on their needs and preferences. Andres Pelaez, CEO and Co-Founder of Ultra Group, praised Sabre’s consistent drive for innovation. He said, “In our ongoing collaboration with Sabre, we are gearing up to introduce new AI integrations and we are implementing hotel suggestions based on flight itineraries for a cross-selling experience.” He also mentioned plans to present alternative accommodation suggestions based on user search parameters and preferences when certain accommodations are unavailable. These AI-driven tools are expected to significantly enhance efficiency and the customer experience across all business platforms.
Sabre Travel AI, created by Sabre and utilizing Google technology as part of their 10-year strategic partnership, leverages state-of-the-art AI technology and advanced machine-learning capabilities. Sabre is integrating this proprietary intelligent technology into existing and new solutions to help customers deliver highly relevant and personalized content more quickly, thereby creating expanded revenue and growth opportunities. Sabre Corporation, based in Southlake, Texas, serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world and manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually.
