“We don’t want to offer people what everyone offers, we want to offer something unique,” the TTG 30 Under 30 alumnus said on Thursday (30 March). “If we’re marketing India, let’s say, we want to focus on the places that people don’t normally visit.
"We can ask ChatGPT to give us information on places in India that are off the beaten track and that’s what we’re putting into our business.”
Commercially released in November 2022, ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that can have human-like conversations, as well as write emails or code. Since its launch, the technology has been lauded for its ability to boost productivity but has also been at the centre of controversies with claims it could make certain jobs obsolete.
Gerrett, who founded Travel Safe in July 2022, said the homeworking group started using the technology in February to help with consumer inquiries on its website.
He described how the company immediately saw results, as user dwell time on its website increased 200% in the span of two months.
“Sometimes it’s nice to have an AI assistant, and ChatGPT is there as an AI assistant for our business,” he said.
The AI chatbot is also used to quickly produce fact sheets and resort information provided to customers at Travel Safe’s first high street agency.
Opened earlier this month by Gerrett’s partner Sophie Davis, the shop is located in Horbury, West Yorkshire and has claimed strong sales volumes in less than a month.
“We’re overrun with enquiries,” said Gerrett, who has been helping out at the agency. “I don’t want to brag but we’re keeping busy so much so we’ve already had to employ another member of staff.”
The Travel Safe shop is a member of the homeworking group and uses the support of its head office team and for admin services and back-office systems.
“There really isn’t much difference between the shop and homeworkers,” Gerrett added. “It’s actually a really good way to launch on the high street.”
