Skift

Google’s latest AI search updates are pushing the experience closer to a personalized travel concierge, blending answers, follow-up questions, and private context into a single planning flow. As more inspiration and decision-making happens inside Google’s interface, travel brands face a tougher challenge staying visible — and differentiated — before a traveler ever clicks through. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is also reshaping expectations for corporate travel, with companies treating the tournament as a multi-city business platform rather than a single-event trip. From executive hosting to incentive travel, the opportunity is big — but so are the logistical risks tied to visas, borders, and timing across three countries. And at Kayak, a leadership change signals how much travel search itself is in flux. As longtime CEO Steve Hafner shifts focus toward AI innovation and a new chief takes the helm, the move underscores a broader transition in how travelers compare options and move from question to decision. On t