Travelers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to bring their vacation dreams to life.
In a recent survey of 1,000 travelers, Matador Network, creator of AI travel assistant GuideGeek, found that travel AI use has increased by 40% since 2023. Most people — more than 71% and 57%, respectively — use AI-powered tools and programs to find new things to do on vacation and save time while planning.
Some take a more unconventional route to incorporate AI into travel planning, like identifying accessible destinations and understanding local customs before arrival. AI will continue to shape the future of the travel industry as new platforms emerge and technologies advance.
10 Ways AI Can Help You Plan Your Dream Vacation
Take advantage of AI travel-planning services to minimize stress on your next getaway.
Find Activities and Attractions
Are you tired of spending your travel days lying bored by the pool in a swimsuit? AI programs can help vacationers switch up their routines with exciting new activities.
Discover local favorites, unique places, and off-the-beaten-path activities you won’t find in guidebooks. For example, instead of using a search engine to look up “bars in Bend, Oregon,” AI can generate a brief list of the best spots so you don’t waste time filtering through countless results and customer reviews.
With tools like GuideGeek and Wonderplan, you can skip the overcrowded, touristy attractions for a more authentic travel experience.
Save Time While Planning
Say goodbye to spending days curating the perfect vacation itinerary. Now, you can create the ultimate trip in minutes with the help of innovative travel-planning services. AFAR recommends Mindtrip, an AI-powered platform that generates detailed itineraries using travelers’ entered trip information.
Mindtrip and similar programs streamline finding destinations, transportation, accommodations, activities, meals, and entertainment. Time is precious, and utilizing AI to craft your plans will enable you to focus on what matters — hitting the road to enjoy your travels.
Discover New Destinations
Let AI tools guide you to your next destination. Travelers can input what kind of vacation they’re interested in, such as a tropical beach getaway or an exhilarating outdoor adventure, and receive relevant suggestions. AI interfaces easily find unconventional destinations according to your travel preferences.
Tailor Your Travel Experience
One of the most compelling reasons to use AI when planning travel is its ability to create custom itineraries. AI makes travel more inclusive for those with special considerations, from physical limitations to dietary restrictions.
For instance, AI platforms can direct travelers with wheelchairs to accessible vacation spots without spending hours finding information online. Some also use AI to identify inclusive destinations. A June 2024 Matador Network survey found more than 62% of people who identify as LGBTQ+ are open to using AI to plan trips.
Make Last-Minute Changes
Unexpected delays and changes in your travels can turn dream getaways into a nightmare. But with AI, travelers won’t be stranded or scrambling to reorganize vacations on the fly.
Whether missing your international flight or a significant weather event hits your intended destination, AI pivots plans without scrapping them altogether. AI travel assistants like Layla help users locate alternative flights and hotel stays, alleviating some of the stress of last-minute travel adjustments.
Stay on Budget
AI can also help consumers cut travel costs. Vacation expenses can quickly skyrocket between transportation, accommodations, food, and activities. If traveling on a budget, use AI to get the best bang for your buck.
AI-powered tools can find cheap flights and hotels, score deals on attractions, identify wallet-friendly restaurants, and suggest free activities. AI makes planning and sticking to vacation budgets easier without detracting from travel experiences.
Choose the Best Time To Travel
The time of year you plan your travels can make or break your vacation. There’s nothing worse than planning and getting excited about a trip only to realize you’re visiting during peak tourist times or extreme weather.
AI pinpoints tourists’ optimal travel times using their getaway goals. You’ll never have to worry again about tropical travels during hurricane season or vacationing in shut-down cities during local holidays.
Brush up on Rules and Regulations
Don’t travel without proper documentation. Check local regulations before packing your bags. International destinations often have specific rules for foreign visitors, such as obtaining tourist visas or filling out forms upon arrival. AI can educate travelers on restrictions and requirements, so your trip can go off without a hitch.
Understand Local Customs
Familiarizing yourself with a country’s local customs can significantly impact your vacation experience. Cultural ignorance can lead to uncomfortable situations for tourists who accidentally defy societal norms and cause offense.
Travelers strategically utilizing AI gain essential knowledge on what to expect at their destination. This preparation will help you dodge potentially awkward interactions and enrich cultural engagement.
Plan Your Route
AI is changing how travelers plan their routes, from mapping out road trips to identifying the most efficient flights.
“AI is increasingly making its mark on the aviation industry, with several anticipated advancements on the horizon. One significant development is the introduction of AI into scheduling processes,” explains Felipe Reisch, PR Manager of private jet charter company Bitlux. “We are developing a consumer-facing AI to handle charter requests and provide information on upcoming flights.”
Instead of manually piecing together itineraries and getting overwhelmed by the logistics, AI tools can find the best travel options for your vacation. Roadtrips.ai, for instance, creates driving routes using distances and times based on users’ travel plans.
