Travel Industry Translation AI: Breaking Down Tourism Barriers

In this article

Introduction: Language as a growth engine

In today’s global travel and tourism market, delivering an exceptional customer experience means communicating across cultures and languages—instantly, naturally, and at scale. Language is no longer a hurdle to overcome; it’s a strategic asset that can unlock growth, strengthen brand trust, and create memorable journeys.

This is where AI-powered translation comes into play.

At Translated, we combine cutting-edge artificial intelligence with the sensitivity and cultural intelligence of human language professionals to help travel companies connect with their audiences—wherever they are, and in their own language. From real-time interactions to large-scale content localization, our solutions are helping reshape how the industry communicates globally.

As the market for AI in tourism is projected to reach $13.38 billion by 2030, investing in flexible, scalable translation solutions is no longer a future consideration—it’s a present-day necessity.

Language demands in the travel industry

Travelers today expect seamless, multilingual experiences. Whether booking a flight, reading a property listing, or chatting with customer service, they want content that is clear, relevant, and respectful of local customs.

But this isn’t just about linguistic accuracy. It’s about cultural relevance—understanding idioms, etiquette, tone of voice, and intent.

Poor translation can lead to missed bookings, brand misalignment, or even offense. That’s why leading travel companies are investing in hybrid translation models—combining AI-driven speed with human expertise—to ensure that communication is both fast and authentic.

The result?

  • Enhanced customer loyalty
  • Smoother global operations
  • Stronger brand presence in international markets

Real-world applications: Airbnb and Skyscanner

Airbnb: scaling global hospitality through language

Airbnb’s mission of “belonging anywhere” is inherently multilingual. To bring that vision to life, Translated became a strategic localization partner, supporting Airbnb’s efforts to:

  • Expand support to 60+ languages, covering everything from listings and policies to help center content
  • Localize millions of words per month via TranslationOS, our enterprise localization platform
  • Preserve tone, brand voice, and cultural nuance in every market

“Working with Translated enabled us to scale our operations efficiently, while always preserving the quality and cultural authenticity of our content.”
Airbnb Localization Team

To further enhance accessibility and inclusion, Airbnb adopted Matedub, our AI-powered dubbing solution, to:

  • Automatically dub host education videos into multiple languages
  • Maintain emotional nuance using expressive AI voice models
  • Cut time-to-publish, while making content more accessible for hosts worldwide

This dual approach—scalable multilingual content and inclusive multimedia—now underpins Airbnb’s global language strategy.

Skyscanner: Localizing at the speed of real-time travel

Skyscanner’s dynamic platform processes millions of travel listings, reviews, and offers—updated in real time. To maintain a consistent global experience, they needed localization that could keep pace with their product.

Partnering with Translated, Skyscanner was able to:

  • Localize millions of dynamically generated words across 40+ languages
  • Leverage ModernMT, our adaptive machine translation engine, to improve speed and consistency
  • Achieve a 60% increase in productivity for language professionals
  • Manage end-to-end workflows and optimize performance using TranslationOS

“Translated gave us a scalable, tech-driven solution for language expansion. The blend of human quality and AI speed helped us keep pace with our global audience.”
Skyscanner Localization Team

Their success underscores a growing trend: real-time platforms need real-time localization, powered by technology but shaped by humans.

The technology behind global scale

Our travel clients succeed because they rely on a modular suite of AI-powered localization tools designed to scale with their ambitions:

  • TranslationOS: Enterprise-grade platform offering complete visibility and control over the entire localization process—from workflow design to quality assurance and performance analytics
  • Lara: The first translation AI to understand full-document context, explain its reasoning, and interact with language professionals in real time
  • ModernMT: An adaptive neural machine translation engine that learns from human feedback and improves instantly—no retraining needed
  • Matedub: AI dubbing software that transforms video content into expressive, multilingual experiences—used by Airbnb to accelerate host training

These technologies don’t replace language professionals—they amplify their creativity and cultural insight, allowing them to focus on what matters most.

Why AI-enhanced translation matters for travel

The benefits of pairing AI with human expertise are tangible:

  • Faster time-to-market for campaigns, platform updates, and seasonal offers
  • Consistent brand voice across all content types and languages
  • Improved user satisfaction from personalized, culturally aware content
  • Lower localization costs and higher translator productivity
  • Global expansion into new markets with confidence and scale

By removing communication friction, travel brands can foster deeper relationships with users, improve trust, and deliver experiences that truly resonate.

Real-Time translation for travelers

Beyond back-end operations, AI is transforming the traveler experience. Real-time translation tools allow users to:

  • Instantly translate menus, directions, and local signs
  • Interact with hotel staff or customer service in their own language
  • Access important travel info—like booking confirmations or safety alerts—on the go

These tools use advanced language models and continuously updated datasets to improve contextual accuracy, helping travelers feel informed, confident, and welcome wherever they go.

Cultural sensitivity as a core feature

Translation in travel is never just about words—it’s about respecting cultures.

A phrase that works in one market might sound awkward—or even inappropriate—in another. Our AI models are trained to recognize such nuances and are guided by human experts to ensure every translation aligns with local expectations.

This commitment to cultural sensitivity builds trust with travelers and strengthens ties between global brands and local communities.

Booking systems: personalized and multilingual

Modern travelers expect booking platforms to work in their language, with clarity and personalization. With AI-enhanced translation, companies can:

  • Translate itineraries, booking confirmations, and reviews instantly
  • Offer multilingual customer support and self-service tools
  • Adapt offers based on user behavior and location preferences

By integrating these capabilities, travel brands not only streamline operations but also make travel more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

The human-AI synergy: A new standard

As our CEO Marco Trombetti put it:

“AI is a bicycle for the mind. It doesn’t replace translators; it makes them faster, more effective, more creative.”

This vision of man with machine, not man versus machine, defines the future of translation. It’s especially powerful in travel—where connection, emotion, and trust are everything.

Conclusion: Language as a force for global belonging

At Translated, we believe that language is not a limitation—but a catalyst. It opens doors, fosters understanding, and helps businesses grow in ways that are both meaningful and measurable.

Through powerful AI tools and a global network of over 10,000 native-speaking language professionals, we help travel brands like Airbnb and Skyscanner reach new markets, engage diverse audiences, and stay true to their values.

The future of travel is global, human-centered, and multilingual.
We’re building the technology to make it real.