Travel Planner MCP Server: Enhancing AI Applications through Location-Based Services

Overview: What is Travel Planner MCP Server?

The Travel Planner Model Context Protocol (MCP) server is an essential component for integrating location-based services into AI applications, specifically within the realm of travel planning and navigation. By leveraging the power of Google Maps API, this server enables advanced functionalities such as place search, detailed place information retrieval, route calculation, and timezone determination. These capabilities make it a versatile tool for developers aiming to enhance their AI solutions with robust location-related features.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The Travel Planner MCP Server offers several key features that significantly aid in the development of sophisticated AI applications:

1. Search Places: Utilizing the Google Places API, this server efficiently searches for places based on a given query. Additional parameters like location and radius can be used to bias search results or limit them within a specific area.

2. Get Place Details: Retrieve detailed information about a specific place using its unique placeId. This includes details such as addresses, opening hours, reviews, and more.

3. Calculate Route: Determine the optimal route between two locations using the Google Directions API. The server supports multiple travel modes including driving, walking, bicycling, and public transit.

4. Get Time Zone: Obtain timezone information for a given location or coordinate pair with an optional timestamp for precise time zone calculations.

These features are implemented according to the Model Context Protocol (MCP), ensuring seamless integration with various AI applications such as Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor. The MCP protocol flow diagram illustrates how data interacts between the AI application, travel planner server, and external services like Google Maps.

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

The Travel Planner MCP Server supports real-world applications such as route planning for business travelers and travel enthusiasts. For instance, an AI-driven travel assistant can provide detailed itineraries based on user preferences while considering local time zones.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

At its core, the Travel Planner MCP Server follows the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to ensure seamless integration with various AI applications and external tools. The server architecture is designed to facilitate quick setup and enable developers to focus on integrating location-based features into their AI workflows.

The server leverages Node.js as its runtime environment, making it compatible across multiple platforms and operating systems. It can be installed both globally or locally via npx:

# Using npx (recommended)
npx @gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp

# With environment variable for Google Maps API
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_api_key npx @gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp

Alternatively, it can be installed globally and run with:

# Install globally
npm install -g @gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp

# Run after global installation
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_api_key @gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started, follow these steps to install and configure the Travel Planner MCP Server:

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp.git
   

2. Install Dependencies:

   npm install
   

3. Build the Project:

   npm run build
   

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Example Scenario 1: Business Travel Scheduling

An AI-driven travel assistant can utilize the Travel Planner MCP Server to plan business trips across multiple locations. By inputting a destination and departure time, the server calculates routes, predicts arrival times, and factors in local time zones.

For instance, if an executive needs to meet with clients in different cities, the Travel Planner MCP Server can:

1. Search Places: Find nearby hotels and conference venues.
2. Calculate Route: Determine optimal driving directions between these locations.
3. Get Time Zone: Ensure all appointments are scheduled according to the correct local times.

Example Scenario 2: Personalized Itineraries

For travel enthusiasts, a personalized itinerary generator can use the Travel Planner MCP Server to create customized travel plans. By providing user preferences such as preferred travel mode and time constraints, the server generates routes that balance scenic stops with practical transit.

For example, users might want a mix of historical sites and modern landmarks while traveling through multiple cities. The Travel Planner MCP Server can:

1. Search Places: Identify popular tourist attractions.
2. Calculate Route: Plan walking or biking itineraries to explore these locations efficiently.
3. Get Time Zone: Ensure the generated itinerary respects the local time zones for a seamless schedule.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The Travel Planner MCP Server is compatible with several AI applications that support MCP, including:

• Claude Desktop: Fully integrates all server features into its environment.
• Continue: Supports most of the server's functionalities but may have some limitations.
• Cursor: Currently only supports data retrieval and manipulation.

Here’s how to configure the Travel Planner MCP Server for use with Claude Desktop in your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "travel-planner": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@gongrzhe/server-travelplanner-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your_google_maps_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}

For direct execution:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "travel-planner": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["path/to/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your_google_maps_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

MCP Client Compatibility:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Environment Variables:

• GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY: A required API key with permissions for Places, Directions, Geocoding, and Time Zone APIs.

Ensure that the environment variable is set correctly to avoid errors during execution. Incorrect or missing keys can lead to unexpected behavior or failures in service requests.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I install the Travel Planner MCP Server?

   • You can either install it locally via npm or globally using npx. Refer to the installation instructions provided in the README for detailed steps.

2. Can this server be used with other AI applications besides Claude Desktop and Continue?

   • The server is primarily designed for use with MCP clients, particularly those supporting travel planning and location-based services. While limited compatibility exists with Cursor, general support is not available.

3. What are the essential permissions required in my API key?

   • To ensure proper functioning, your Google Maps API key must have permissions for Places, Directions, Geocoding, and Time Zone APIs.

4. How do I troubleshoot issues when using this server with an AI application?

   • Common issues include missing environment variables or incorrect API keys. Check the log output for error messages to identify the root cause of any problems.

5. Are there performance limits or usage quotas associated with this service?

   • The service is subject to Google Maps API usage policies and limitations. Ensure you follow these guidelines to avoid unexpected behavior or service interruptions.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome from the community. To contribute, please fork the repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request:

1. Fork the Repository: Click "Fork" on GitHub.
2. Create a Pull Request: Submit your changes for review.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more information about Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its ecosystem, visit the official site or documentation. Join our community forums to connect with other developers and discuss best practices for integrating MCP into AI applications:

• Model Context Protocol Documentation: https://modelcontextprotocol.org/
• Community Forums: https://community.modelcontextprotocol.org/

By utilizing the Travel Planner MCP Server, developers can significantly enhance their AI solutions with robust location-based features, ensuring that their applications remain competitive and user-friendly in today's data-driven landscape.