SnapTravel Is Using A.I. to Make Booking Hotels as Easy as Sending a Text
*By Conor White*
A new travel site is looking to make booking a vacation as easy as sending a text message. SnapTravel offers exclusive hotel deals via SMS, in an effort to get customers the hotel they want, when they want it.
"Essentially, we want to get you the best hotel, as fast as possible, and as easy as possible," CEO and co-founder Hussein Fazal told Cheddar on Wednesday.
Users simply text certain details ー where they want to visit and when ー and can receive a near-immediate reply. According to Fazal, his company uses artificial intelligence tech to ensure the response time is speedy and the recommendations appropriate.
Fazal said the SnapTravel's services are also available through other messaging platforms.
"Whether it be Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, iMessage, we work on all those platforms," he said.
"We use some natural language-processing technology to analyze what you're saying, and get back to you right away," Fazal added.
In the last year, SnapTravel has generated $50 million in sales, a 450 percent increase since 2017. And Fazel said the company's $21 million in Series A funding will help ensure it stays on the cutting edge of the necessary tech.
SnapTravel is also getting a boost from NBA superstar Steph Curry, who is investing in the platform through his own company, SC30.
"Having him on our team just really adds that extra marketing push and promotion and legitimacy to the brand," Fazal said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/snaptravel-ceo-on-booking-vacations-via-texts-and-steph-currys-investment).
In a daring daylight robbery on Sunday, thieves used a basket lift to scale the Louvre’s facade, smash display cases, and steal eight priceless jewels.
The Trump administration has agreed to resume processing student debt cancellations under two key income-driven repayment plans it had previously limited.
Millions of protesters flooded cities nationwide on Saturday for “No Kings” demonstrations denouncing what they call President Donald Trump’s authoritarian turn
Cynthia Chen, CEO of Kikoff, shares how their membership app helps users build credit with zero fees, no interest, and smart tools that make every point count.
OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT will soon engage in "erotica for verified adults." CEO Sam Altman says the company aims to allow more user freedom for adults while setting limits for teens. OpenAI isn't the first to explore sexualized AI, but previous attempts have faced legal and societal challenges. Altman believes OpenAI isn't the "moral police" and wants to differentiate content similar to how Hollywood differentiates R-rated movies. This move could help OpenAI, which is losing money, turn a profit. However, experts express concerns about the impact on real-world relationships and the potential for misuse.
CNN is launching a new “All Access” streaming subscription in the U.S. on October 28th, priced at $6.99 a month, or just $69.99 if you sign up for a full year.
