Google enhances trip planning tool

Google is launching new features to help consumers plan a trip as searches for travel-related queries in Q1 were above Q1 ’19 prepandemic levels.

In the Q1 earnings call for Google’s parent Alphabet last week, Google chief business officer Phillip Schindler shared a few stats – query growth in categories like beaches and islands were up 27% versus 2019, vacation rentals rose 37%, global searches for passport online jumped 80%, and searches for travel insurance surged 2x.

On Google Flights, users can now track prices for specific dates between two cities. Once users perform a search, they can decide to opt-in and Google will email them if prices drop substantially for those dates.

Google is also updating its tools related to road trips. Now using the Explore tool users can click “Explore nearby” to narrow the search to places within a few hours driving distance.

To help users find a place to stay once they figure out a destination, Google is adding “interest layers,” filters which allow users to choose “dining,” “shopping” or “sightseeing” to see the parts of the city offer the most options.

Last, Google is helping users stay organized with bookmarks.