AI-based senior personal assistant service Ddokbi said on Jan. 26 it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hanatour to develop travel services for seniors.

Ddokbi, operated by Tokkiwadukgeobi, is an online assistant service that helps seniors like their children with searches, purchases, reservations and ticketing, and recommendations. It combines an AI assistant with a human assistant. Users can ask questions and make requests via chat, and the service provides tailored answers using individual data. It then supports the process through payment once a member makes a decision.

The companies said they will provide senior customers with a differentiated travel experience under the MOU. They plan to combine Ddokbi’s senior travel data with Hanatour’s expertise in developing and supplying travel products, and offer high-quality customised travel services for seniors.

Ddokbi and Hanatour plan to sequentially roll out services starting with this agreement, including overseas travel services for corporate clients, domestic themed trip planning and user-based travel itinerary management services, and strengthen their competitiveness in the senior travel market.

Ddokbi CEO Dong-soo Ham (함동수) said Ddokbi members have strong interest and expectations for travel, and the agreement is expected to help the partners offer various jointly planned travel products that meet senior customers’ needs. He said the company will also strengthen its role as a travel platform where seniors can choose with peace of mind, based on the trust built so far.