Visit Seattle has launched Emerald, an AI-powered travel planning tool developed in partnership with GuideGeek technology from Matador Network, a travel media company. The AI assistant provides personalized recommendations and itinerary planning for Seattle visitors, leveraging extensive local data and supporting over 45 languages to enhance accessibility for international travelers.
What you should know: Emerald serves as Visit Seattle’s digital concierge, trained on comprehensive destination data and enhanced by GuideGeek’s award-winning technology platform.
- The AI tool draws from Visit Seattle’s extensive database of landmarks, festivals, restaurants, and hidden gems, plus over 1,000 travel information integrations from GuideGeek.
- Visitors can access Emerald through visitseattle.org’s chat box or via WhatsApp for on-the-go assistance while exploring the city.
- The tool personalizes recommendations based on user inputs like interests, group size, ages, and preferences.
Why this matters: Seattle’s tech-forward approach to tourism comes at a strategic time as the city prepares to host major international sporting events.
- The city will welcome soccer fans from around the world for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 this summer and FIFA World Cup 26 next year.
- Multi-language support addresses the needs of international visitors who might otherwise struggle with language barriers when planning their trips.
How it works: Users interact with Emerald through conversational AI that tailors responses to individual travel needs and preferences.
- The system generates real-time, personalized recommendations for activities, dining, and attractions based on user-provided information.
- Emerald can plan complete itineraries or answer specific questions about Seattle’s evolving landscape, including recent additions like the Seattle Aquarium expansion and new Overlook Walk connecting the waterfront to Pike Place Market.
What they’re saying: Visit Seattle leadership emphasizes the natural fit between advanced technology and the city’s identity as a tech hub.
- “Taking advantage of advanced technology is a natural choice in tech hub Seattle, and Emerald can help visitors choose their own adventure in practically any language,” says Tammy Canavan, president and CEO of Visit Seattle.
- “Seattle is the best of all worlds — a big city, charming neighborhoods and dazzling waterfront set right in the middle of three of our country’s most beautiful national parks,” says Ross Borden, CEO of Matador Network.
Broader adoption: GuideGeek’s AI technology has already been implemented by destination marketing organizations across the United States and internationally, including Toronto, Aruba, and New Zealand, demonstrating growing industry acceptance of AI-powered travel assistance tools.
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