Corporate Traveler has launched a new AI travel assistant embedded in its Melon travel platform, the travel management company announced.
The AI assistant, Mel, provides an additional layer of support in providing business travelers with answers to their questions based on their company policies and personal preferences, according to Corporate Traveler, the small- and midsized-client-focused TMC within Flight Centre Travel Group. It can draw from traveler profiles and histories and company information, answering questions that can be routine administrative tasks for travel professionals, such as common policy and itinerary questions.
In addition, Mel provides information to travelers when disruptions occur and can recognize when a human agent's assistant will be needed, escalating the issue to Corporate Traveler's consultant team.
"Travelers want to feel reassured that they're receiving accurate, up-to-date information to keep trips on track and avoid missing a flight, ending up in a high-risk area or incurring an unexpected expense," Corporate Traveler global chief product officer Trevor Brink said in a statement. "That’s why we made the deliberate decision to build Mel ourselves, thoughtfully integrating our people's expertise into how it handles real-world travel situations."
Beyond the Melon platform, travelers can also access Mel via Slack, according to Corporate Traveler. The AI tool currently is available to clients in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., and the TMC plans to expand that to additional markets.