Following in the footsteps of larger tech-focused communities, Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Tourism Office has launched Goldie, a custom AI travel assistant.
Powered by GuideGeek’s artificial intelligence technology, launched by Matador Network, travelers planning a trip to Iowa can use Goldie to get instant answers to any travel or tourism questions about the state, according to a news release.
“Iowa basically invented agritourism, and it’s home to so many hidden gems, like the largest skatepark in the U.S. and the ice cream capital of the world,” said Ross Borden, CEO of Matador Network, in a statement. “Goldie is designed to help families, couples and more put together the perfect combination of the wide variety of nature, food and cultural experiences Iowa has to offer.”
To access Goldie, travelers can visit traveliowa.com and click the chat icon in the bottom right corner. The name Goldie is a nod to the American Goldfinch, the state bird of Iowa. In a new take on “flyover country,” Goldie provides a bird’s-eye view of the rich selection of attractions throughout the state, according to a news release.
“We’re already seeing travelers use Goldie to plan road trips from cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City, including everything from alpaca farm getaways to camping in Northeast Iowa,” said Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager for the Iowa Tourism Office, in a statement. “One user simply entered the beer emoji, and Goldie immediately recommended local breweries to experience our state’s delicious grain-to-glass flavors.”
By adopting this technology, Travel Iowa joins other destination marketing organizations around the world that have launched a custom AI tool with GuideGeek, including those in New Zealand, Greece and Toronto, according to the release.
