Advances in AI were behind the launch of two new platforms -- The Luxurist and Caribbean Travel & Tours (CTT) -- that connect travel advisors with suppliers. Both platforms, launched within one month of each other, utilize facets of AI to help travel advisors work more efficiently.
The Luxurist's focus is connecting advisors with luxury hotels; it is powered by HBX Group, owner of Hotelbeds, Bedsonline and Roiback. It launched on Jan. 29.
CTT, launched on Feb. 25 by technology company and tour operator Breeze Travel Solutions, focuses on accommodations, flights and experiences in the Caribbean.
"The emergence of new platforms in the travel industry is a natural evolution driven by technological advancement," said David Amsellem, CEO of the Luxurist. "The impact of technology -- particularly AI -- on travel distribution has been transformative in significant ways."
AI, he said, has enabled travel advisors to be more efficient when creating itineraries. That enables them to focus more time on understanding clients and delivering a more personalized itinerary.
Casey Davy, the CEO of Breeze Travel, said technology has made it possible for companies like his to launch a platform like CTT.
Once data is centralized, he said, "that then allows you to influence that with AI, because now you can have an AI assistant basically curate that package." Advisors, in turn, can use that to better curate itineraries.
CTT offers consumers and advisors the ability to book accommodations, flights and experiences in 18 Caribbean destinations. Advisor commission starts at 8%.
Davy said the platform includes a lot of unique inventory that can't be found elsewhere, such as experiences from small operators. He has teams on the ground to find those experiences as well as traditional and nontraditional accommodations. He said he believes it fills a connectivity gap in the marketplace.
For advisors, he said, it's a one-stop shop for Caribbean travel planning.
"We spent a lot of time in terms of making sure we centralize the information that travel agents need to know so that they can be educated, and they have the awareness of what's taking place in that destination, what they should be selling in that destination. And then we make it available to them," he said.
Advisors can use CTT's AI assistant to help solve problems like planning interisland travel and length of stay per destination. CTT also has a travel concierge that offers planning help and recommendations.
Kelly Fontenelle is the founder of Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean, a group that represents more than 20,000 travel advisors. She said CTT's content and ease of use are differentiators.
"CTT stands out by offering a diverse selection of resort experiences and itineraries that are not available through any other competing companies," Fontenelle said. "With its provision of multi-island itineraries, agents can easily curate comprehensive travel plans."
The Luxurist, an itinerary planner that connects advisors with some 3,000 properties as well as flights and activities worldwide, also offers a concierge team, available 24/7. Amsellem said it has content that advisors won't find on other platforms, like tips and insights from the concierge team and "select" social media influencers, as well as exclusive rates and experiences. Commissions on accommodations range from 12% to 15% and up to 6% on flights.
The Luxurist also uses AI to enhance the itinerary planning process.
"The remarkable progress of AI has forced travel platforms to evolve beyond simple booking engines into sophisticated itinerary builders capable of meeting modern travelers' complex demands," Amsellem said.
Amsellem believes The Luxurist's differentiator is its focus on global, luxury products, streamlining accommodations, flights and experiences "in a single AI-enhanced hub," but one that comes with the backing of a human concierge team.