In an exciting development for the travel industry, Google Cloud has partnered with TAGTHAi, Thailand’s prominent travel application, to launch an innovative solution designed to improve the travel planning process. Bringing artificial intelligence to the forefront, this collaboration aims to change how visitors experience tourism in Thailand.
The cornerstone of this partnership is an AI-powered tool named Design My Trip, built on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform. This tool enables travellers to create customized itineraries almost instantaneously, significantly simplifying travel planning. The Design My Trip feature aligns with the ambitions of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which seeks to digitally enhance the tourism ecosystem and cement the country’s reputation as a premier global destination.
Thiratida Kuvantharai, CEO of TAGTHAi, emphasized the strategic goals behind this innovation, stating, “TAGTHAi is committed to harnessing data-driven technologies to offer curated journeys that resonate with every traveller.” By addressing the common difficulties international visitors face—sifting through the myriad of online resources for reliable destination information—this tool aims to offer an intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Since its preliminary release in June 2024, Design My Trip has attracted thousands of users who rely on its features to plan their visits efficiently. Designed for the Bangkok Metropolitan Area initially, the tool allows users to customize their itineraries based on their interests and preferences. Notably, the integration with Google Maps APIs not only enhances user experience by providing optimal travel routes but also offers easy access to reviews and essential information.
Upcoming enhancements to Design My Trip, expected later this year, will expand its capabilities by generating itineraries suited for longer trips across various provinces in Thailand. Furthermore, users will be able to purchase and store e-tickets within the app, streamlining their overall travel experience.
The speed at which TAGTHAi developed Design My Trip is impressive. According to Kanokwan Boonchai, Chief Operating and Technology Officer at TAGTHAi, “Google Cloud’s integrated data and AI capabilities were instrumental in bringing Design My Trip to life. We transitioned from concept to a production-ready solution in just four months—a timeframe we initially thought would stretch to years.” This rapid development was made possible by leveraging Google Cloud’s seamless data workflows and built-in tools for monitoring AI model performance.
As the partnership continues to grow, feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive. Annop Siritikul, Country Director for Thailand at Google Cloud, remarked on the tangible business impacts observed from the initiative. He noted that TAGTHAi’s adoption of generative AI has not only improved user sentiment but also driven increased sales for its all-in-one travel pass offerings. “The successful adoption of AI goes beyond deploying capable models; it thrives on the foundation of high-quality enterprise data to curate accurate and meaningful customer experiences,” Siritikul added.
Currently, Design My Trip is available in both English and Thai, but there are plans to incorporate additional languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. This expansion is intended to cater specifically to the diverse demographics of international visitors, further solidifying Thailand’s standing as a must-visit destination.
The collaboration between TAGTHAi and Google Cloud is more than just a technological advancement; it represents a significant step toward the digital transformation of Thailand’s tourism sector. By harnessing the power of AI, the initiative not only addresses existing pain points for travellers but also boosts Thailand’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.
As Thailand seeks to recover and sustain growth in international tourism, the introduction of data-driven solutions like Design My Trip heralds a new era of travel planning. This partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances and technology can create value, enhancing the travel experience for both new and returning visitors.
Ultimately, initiatives like this showcase the critical intersection of technology and tourism, marking a pivotal turn in how travel planning will be approached in the future. The results already observed suggest a promising path ahead, setting a benchmark for other countries looking to modernize their travel services.
