FOMO launches AI concierge in South Africa and Dubai

FOMO has launched an AI-powered concierge across South Africa and Dubai to help users find personalized experiences by describing budget, location, interests and occasion in everyday language. The move is designed to make discovery faster for travelers and locals looking for activities, restaurants and attractions.

Why it matters: - FOMO Concierge replaces traditional search-and-filter browsing with a conversational tool that can help users find experiences faster. - The launch targets a common pain point in tourism and leisure: people often know the kind of outing they want, but not the exact name of the activity, venue or attraction. - The service could make experience discovery easier for customers in South Africa and Dubai, where users may be looking for ideas by budget, location or occasion.

What happened: - FOMO launched FOMO Concierge, an AI-powered experience discovery service, on FOMO South Africa and FOMO Dubai. - The tool lets users describe what they want in everyday language instead of using standard search bars and filters. - The service is available now across both markets.

The details: - FOMO Concierge uses customer prompts to surface relevant experiences on the platform. - Users can search by budget, location, occasion and type of activity. - Example prompts include asking for a romantic Cape Town activity for under R1,000 or indoor activities in Dubai for two children. - On FOMO South Africa, the concierge helps customers navigate experiences and deals listed on the platform. - When availability must be confirmed with an experience provider, customers can contact the merchant before returning to FOMO to buy a voucher. - On FOMO Dubai, the service helps residents and tourists discover attractions and experiences based on what they want to do. - FOMO said users can also refine results naturally by price, location and whether activities are indoors or outdoors. - The platform connects customers with attractions, activities, restaurants and experiences through its South African site, fomosa.co.za, and its UAE site, thefomoapp.ae.

Between the lines: - FOMO is positioning AI as a planning tool, not just a search feature. - Ryan Marx said the goal is to help users start with a simple need, such as a date night or family outing, and let AI do the matching. - The company sees conversational search as especially useful in travel and experiences, where customers often want inspiration rather than a known product. - FOMO said the service will improve as it learns how customers prefer to discover experiences.

What's next: - FOMO plans to keep developing its AI concierge capabilities as more users interact with the service. - The company is likely to use customer behavior to improve how recommendations are surfaced over time. - FOMO Concierge is now live for users in South Africa and Dubai.

The bottom line: - FOMO is betting that conversational AI can make experience discovery simpler, faster and more personal in two of its key markets.