Somehow, before the World Wide Web was a twinkle in its inventors’ eyes, people booked holidays. How they did this, we can’t be sure, but we think it has something to do with travel agents and books.

Now, we technology-backed travellers use the internet not only to research trips, book flights, find accommodation and claim deals, but also for other travel essentials: like using maps to guide us around our chosen destination, translating languages abroad, booking activities, discovering restaurant recommendations (and those to avoid) and, without any head-hurting calculation, to navigate new time zones. (And, dare we mention, uploading envy-inducing photos on the socials?).

Just when we thought our use of the all-mighty internet for holiday planning had reached its peak, Google has released another game-changing feature. Booking holidays just got a little simpler.

This week, Google launched its Google Travel desktop website.

But, what does this mean?

Well, now the tech giant can group flights, accommodation, holiday packages, planning tools and personalised recommendations all the one page. 

How does it work? Say you’ve just booked flights, and your booking details are in your Gmail inbox – using this data, the Google hotel search feature (for example) will bring the most useful recommendations into your line of sight. So, if there’s two of you flying on particular dates, Google might recommend a two-person hotel stay that happens to be the best price on the exact dates that you’re in a particular destination. Fewf. Essentially, means less time spent researching. Welcome to the future.

Advertising partners (think large airlines and hotels) will remain afloat in your search results, but even these will now be challenged by the new function.

It’s all trial and error at this stage. And, while some holiday listings haven’t been included yet (think cruises, car rentals and other transport options), the new move is a big step in the path toward Google becoming a one-stop travel shop. And no, Google can’t pack for you yet – but that can’t be far away, surely.