FLIGHT Centre Travel Group’s
FCM will roll out Chatbot Sam,
its first artificial intelligence
(AI) device, next month.
Sam aggregates all the
information a traveller needs,
in one place when the user
needs it, giving them their own
‘personal assistant’ on the
move. It is fully integrated with
FCM’s booking and expense
management systems, so
that all bookings automatically
appear in the traveller’s
itinerary, and prompts the
user to take actions that
comply with corporate policy
guidelines.
Euan McNeil, gm of FCM
Travel Solutions South Africa,
says Sam’s applications
include sending travellers a
weather forecast the night
before travel, helping them
know what to pack. On the day
of travel, Sam can estimate
options for travel to the airport,
including cost and travel times,
before connecting the traveller
with company-approved
transfer options.
On arrival, the traveller
is automatically notified
which carousel to collect
their luggage from and given
useful city guides, including
information on currency,
restaurants, tipping customs
and etiquette. If traffic is heavy
on the day of departure, Sam
rearranges travel plans to
leave for the airport early. If a
flight is missed, Sam provides
details of available flights as
well as alternative options,
on the Eurostar, for example.
It also gives travellers the
opportunity to speak directly to
FCM’s team, if necessary.
After the trip, Sam reminds
users to submit expense
claims.
Euan says Sam has been
developed to provide an
additional interface for
travellers that complements
but will never replace the skills
and insights of the TMC
