AI hits travel agent

The online travel agent Lastminute.com is cutting a quarter of its workforce — around 400 jobs — by the end of 2026 to restructure around artificial intelligence.

The Ticino headquartered group, listed on the Swiss exchange, says the move will save CHF 15m a year from next year. 

Analysts at Zurich Cantonal Bank warn the impact of AI on online travel agents could be brutal — travellers may soon book trips directly through chatbots like ChatGPT.

The cuts will affect several countries, though the company has not yet broken down the losses by location.

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