Google has introduced a new function to help travelers browse hotels on their mobile devices.
The swipe function allows travelers to make a search query — such as “Soho London hotels” — and then tap on a property and swipe through photos of the hotel to get a “sense of what to expect,” such as room layout and property attributes, Google VP of Travel Products Richard Holden outlined in a blog post.
Another tap allows travelers to save the hotel, view more details about the surrounding area and see a summary of what other travelers like about the property or rooms, such as bathroom size. “When you’re done, just swipe up to continue browsing,” Holden said.
According to Future Market Insights, mobile travel market revenue is expected to reach $343.3 million by the end of 2023 and an estimated $1.49 billion in 2033 as smartphones become more user-friendly and inexpensive.
Ahead of the summer months, Google is also piloting a price guarantee on flights.