ixigo, a leading travel booking platform, has launched an AI-native travel app named TARA that allows users to plan and manage their trips entirely through chat. The app leverages artificial intelligence to provide personalized travel recommendations, itinerary management, and real-time assistance, making travel planning more intuitive and conversational.
Key Features of TARA
TARA is designed to understand natural language queries and respond with tailored suggestions for flights, hotels, trains, and activities. Users can simply type or speak their preferences, and the app will generate options, compare prices, and even book services directly. The AI also learns from user behavior to improve future recommendations.
How It Works
The app uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to interpret user requests. For example, a user can say, 'Find me a budget hotel in Goa near the beach for 3 nights,' and TARA will present suitable options with details like price, amenities, and reviews. It can also handle complex queries such as planning multi-city itineraries or adjusting bookings mid-trip.
Real-Time Assistance
Beyond planning, TARA offers real-time travel assistance. Users can ask for weather updates, local restaurant recommendations, or changes to their itinerary. The AI integrates with ixigo's existing database to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
Impact on Travel Industry
With TARA, ixigo aims to simplify travel planning, which often involves juggling multiple apps and websites. The conversational interface reduces friction and saves time, potentially increasing user engagement and loyalty. The app is currently available for download on iOS and Android platforms.
Future Plans
ixigo plans to expand TARA's capabilities by integrating more languages and regional dialects, as well as adding features like group trip coordination and expense splitting. The company also intends to use AI to predict travel trends and offer proactive suggestions.
