Google Just Made Hotel Booking Part of the Chat

0:10Sarah Dandashy: So, Google just launched hotel bookings inside its AI chat. Passport renewals are about to get easier and Dollywood opened its doors the day after Dolly Parton passed away. But the story behind that park is worth telling. It's Friday, August 28th. I'm Sarah Dandashy and this is the Skip Daily Briefing. So first up, Google just launched hotel bookings directly inside AI mode, which is its AI chat feature. You describe what you want, compare options, pick a room, and you pay with Google Pay, all without leaving the conversations. Partners include Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham.

0:45Sarah Dandashy: Now, interestingly enough, Google tried something like this before, Book on Google, which they launched in 2015, but they shut it down in 2022 because nobody used it. So what's different this time? Well, the world has changed naturally. People now expect AI to feel seamless, and this time the booking actually happens inside the chat. You're still in control, you choose the hotel, review the terms, approve the purchase. Google is now the middleman and not actually the merchant. But if anything, this is the clearest sign yet that AI chat is becoming a real booking channel and not just a trip planning tool.

1:17Next up, some good news

1:19Sarah Dandashy: if you've ever dreaded renewing your passport. I know we all have. The State Department just proposed a rule that would open online renewals to a lot more Americans. So right now, online renewals are only available if your passport expires within a year. This proposal gradually lifts that restriction. It would also let Americans living or traveling overseas to renew online for the first time. So no more two trips to the consulate. Interestingly enough, the State Department expects 60 % of next year's 10.5 million renewal applications to be submitted online. That's an estimated savings of nearly $150 million a year.

1:55Sarah Dandashy: The same fee, just much less hassle. Now, there is a 60-day comment period before its final, but this is a real step forward. And finally, Dollywood opened its gates Wednesday, just one day after Dolly Parton passed away at 80. The park statement said it wanted to honor her, not with silence, but with laughter, music, and shared dreams, which is oh so very Dolly. Now, Now, the park itself is a remarkable story. While many regional theme parks across the country are pretty much closing, they're selling assets and drowning in debt, Dollywood is in the middle of a$500 million expansion. They have over 2 million visitors a year.

2:30Sarah Dandashy: They're the largest employer in the county. There's no Marvel. There's no Mickey Mouse. It's just Appalachian culture, cinnamon bread, and the most beloved entertainer in country music. Now, Dolly actually said this earlier this year. I hope they keep building on even after I'm gone. because, after all, the show must go on. Well, that's it for your Skiff Daily Briefing. For more industry news, head to skiff.com and, as always, subscribe at skiff.com backslash daily.