Enjoy Illinois Launches Custom AI Travel Genius with GuideGeek

The Illinois Office of Tourism has launched its new and improved EnjoyIllinois.com website, introducing a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) travel genius powered by GuideGeek. This development makes Illinois the first U.S. state to adopt GuideGeek’s AI technology for its virtual travel assistant, making trip planning more seamless and personalized than ever before.

“The introduction of the Big Lincoln AI chatbot will offer intuitive assistance and enhance accessibility for all visitors using personalized recommendations to help effortlessly plan their next Illinois trip,” said Kristin Richards, DCEO Director.

As the first state tourism website to use GuideGeek’s AI-powered technology, Illinois brings travelers an intuitive and personalized experience through the AI chatbot, known as Big Lincoln. According to the Illinois Office of Tourism’s press release:

GuideGeek uses a combination of OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, real-time travel information, and the content from EnjoyIllinois.com to offer tailored responses based on user input. The personalized, real-time responses are generated by AI trained on extensive data from EnjoyIllinois.com and enhanced by over 1,000 integrations for travel information from GuideGeek’s award-winning technology. Whether visitors are planning a weekend getaway or seeking specific recommendations about Illinois' unique attractions, Big Lincoln provides real-time responses that include itineraries, dining options, local attractions, and more.

“GuideGeek scans the website daily and prioritizes Enjoy Illinois’ own content within the answers it gives to potential visitors, but unlike a glorified ‘site search,’ our tech still comes with the full conversational intelligence of OpenAI, including perfect fluency in 50 languages,” said Ross Borden, CEO of Matador Network, which launched GuideGeek last year.

Visitors can interact with Big Lincoln on EnjoyIllinois.com by simply clicking the chat box at the bottom of the website. The AI travel assistant responds to open-ended questions, and users can refine their queries to receive recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and attractions across Illinois' diverse regions. Whether it’s hiking in Giant City State Park or exploring the historic Route 66, travelers will find their next adventure with ease.

In addition to trip planning, Big Lincoln is equipped to handle real-time queries about events, weather, or seasonal activities. This makes it ideal for visitors currently exploring Illinois as well as for residents seeking hidden gems in their own backyard.

Alongside the new AI features, EnjoyIllinois.com has revamped other sections of the site, including enhanced accessibility options and distinct regional profiles that spotlight Northern, Central, Western, and Southern Illinois.

To learn more about planning your next trip with Big Lincoln, visit EnjoyIllinois.com.

About the Illinois Office of Tourism

The Illinois Office of Tourism leads tourism industry efforts to inspire visitation to, and within Illinois, resulting in significant economic impact and quality-of-life benefits for all Illinois residents. We are committed to making Illinois a model of inclusivity and celebration of diversity. Illinois is a state that embodies innovation, craft, surprise and creativity. Whether domestic and international visitors are traveling for business or leisure, the Illinois Office of Tourism is their trusted guide in crafting an unforgettable experience.

About Matador Network

Matador Network is the world's No. 1 media brand for modern adventurers. With more than 16 million followers across social media, Matador has become a leading travel brand through its production of article features, city guides, creator-first content and original videos. Matador is the top-ranking travel brand on TikTok and its videos are viewed more than 140 million times per month. It has content distribution deals with American Airlines, Hearst Media and GSTV, and works with brands like Ford, REI, Samsung, YETI, Southwest Airlines, Visit California and Microsoft. Fast Company named Matador Network a 2024 Most Innovative Company in recognition of its revolutionary AI travel genius GuideGeek. matadornetwork.com