A generative AI revolution is underway, with these bots handling (or at least trying to) everything from app coding to filmmaking. One use for these AI chatbots is as smart travel assistants, providing recommendations on where to stay, eat, and see in just about any place you can name.
There is no doubt that AI can help in many ways, but we must not forget the limitations of the technology: these chatbots have never been to the places they are talking to, they don't know what a fine restaurant is like or what a cozy hideaway is like, they just repeat text they find on the web (but in a smart and natural way).
By all means, enlist the help of generative AI bots when planning your trip, but be mindful of the dos and don'ts. I tested OpenAI ChatGPT and Google Gemini, asking them for recommendations on nearby towns in my area (which I know more about than they do), and below I've made notes on what these bots did well and what they didn't do well.
Use AI chatbots for complex queries
No matter how detailed your question is, you will get an answer. Screenshot: ChatGPT
One advantage AI chatbots have over standard Google search is for complex queries: if you ask about kid-friendly town activities within a certain budget, the AI-generated answers will be much more accurate. You can specify opening hours, ambiance, accessibility features, menu items, or anything else you like.
Please note that the responses are based on information available on the web. ChatGPT has not visited New York, Venice, or any other locations. Larger, busier, and more popular locations will likely have more information written about them, and therefore more comprehensive responses.
When I queried local spots, the bot got pretty accurate answers about the types of places worth traveling to and did a good job filtering them (e.g., “What's cheap?” or “What's kid friendly?”). AI can be very useful when you want more detailed information than the “top 10 things to do” in a place.
Use AI chatbots for inspiration
AI can help you find places you never thought of. Screenshot: Google
Chatbots can help you get answers to questions you might ask a person, like what is it like at night, what is the best time of the year to go, what are the attractions you can visit in an afternoon, etc. Search engines don't always give you good answers to these types of queries.
That goes for follow-up questions too: you can ask about other places similar to yours, ask about amenities in a particular place, or ask about places that aren’t as popular with tourists. The chatbot I tested did a good job of suggesting recommended spots that aren’t usually mentioned in travel summaries.
These AI interfaces can also help you if you're not sure where to start planning: for example, you can ask about cities or beaches within a certain distance of your current location, or about new destinations similar to ones you've visited before. Plus, these chatbots have a nearly endless reservoir of suggestions.
Don't believe everything you read
It's always worth double-checking information with other sources. Screenshot: Google
The large language models (LLMs) on which generative AI chatbots are based are not copy machines: they are designed to create new text from trained text, which means a lot of impressive creative output, but also imprecision called hallucinations. These hallucinations occur as often in travel advice responses as in other AI tasks.
It is also clear that law students use general terms as fillers when they have no reference material. I hear that many hotels are “comfortable” and “cozy” and that many pubs have a “traditional feel” (when in fact they don't). I've heard that one of the dirtiest drinking holes in my town has a “warm and cozy feel” (and yes, it's also “cozy” – obviously) and I would not recommend visiting it.
These mistakes are rare, but they do happen. Another was when I was shown a picture of a local woodworking shop instead of the museum I was actually looking at. Be a little careful about what you're reading, especially when it comes to hard facts or words that seem to apply everywhere.
Don't leave without checking
Please contact the hotel directly for details such as rates. Screenshot: Wycliffe Hotel
Use AI chatbots only as one of the tools for your trip planning. Before you leave, make sure you also check the listings on portals such as Google Maps or TripAdvisor, and check directly with the venue. Of course, these resources are not always 100% accurate, but they are more likely to be up-to-date and contain first-hand knowledge.
When planning a trip around your hometown, you might be told that a park has a playground and a tennis court, but in reality, it has neither. You don’t want to dress up in your sportswear, grab your kids and your racquets, and be disappointed. You can find this information with a quick look at Google Maps or Apple Maps. The same goes for hotel and flight prices. Use AI as a guide, not a trusted source.
While the AI bot often gave the right answer (such as the opening days of a local market), you should always double-check. In general, the rules regarding AI and travel advice are the same as for anything else: generative AI is a very useful tool, but it can't be relied on completely.
