Sabre Adds AI-Powered Tool to Customize Lodging Options

Sabre has added artificial intelligence (AI)-powered lodging capabilities for travel agencies.

Lodging AI, the newest addition to the Sabre Travel AI suite of solutions, helps travel agencies improve hotel attachment rates and offer more personalized lodging options, the company said in a Monday (Aug. 14) press release.

“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,” Sabre Chief Product Officer Garry Wiseman said in the release.

Lodging AI uses machine learning models to analyze property attributes, customer trip segmentation and agency preferences in order to customize lodging options and determine the best properties to offer customers, according to the press release.

The first two AI micro-services to be available are Alternate Properties and Cross-sell, both of which are available via Content Services for Lodging APIs and Sabre Red 360, the release said. The Alternate Properties micro-service will present up to 20 relevant lodging options with similar characteristics when a specifically requested property is unavailable, while the Cross-sell micro-service uses applicable air bookings and itineraries with no attached lodging, and provides suitable options to complete the trip.

In addition to helping travel agencies capture a greater share of wallet, Sabre’s Lodging AI can also prove beneficial for the corporate sector with improved duty of care and reporting, per the release. Also, travelers can benefit from more customized options based on their needs and preferences.

“As the next evolution of intelligent retailing capabilities supported through our strategic partnership with Google, Lodging AI brings more personalized results to enable agents to be more efficient in their workflows and to ensure travelers obtain the most relevant options available,” Wiseman said in the release.

PYMNTS research has found that automation could fill an urgent need in hotels.

One recent study found that 73% of hotel customers want to use their mobile phones for functionalities such as checking in, paying and ordering food, and 74% believe AI could tailor individualized experiences and amenities for them, according to a PYMNTS and LS Retail collaboration, “Can Automation Solve Labor Shortages in the Hospitality Sector?”

In another recent move, Sabre acquired Techsembly in July to boost its hospitality eCommerce offerings. Techsembley offers hotels an automated eCommerce solution that lets them manage multiple online property stores, products and logistics from a single platform.