Picture this: You’re sitting at your kitchen table, coffee in hand, and you’ve just asked ChatGPT for suggestions on your upcoming summer getaway. Within moments, it’s reeling off places you’d never thought to visit—some you can’t even pronounce. This isn’t a sci-fi scenario; it’s the new reality in travel planning. But does delegating your dream trip to AI actually work? Inspired by Khan from Kent and real stories like his, I decided to let an AI take the reins to see if it could craft my perfect summer vacation—or if I’d be led astray!
Genius or Glitch? The Surprising Paths AI Picks for Your Holiday
AI travel recommendations are quickly changing the way people plan their vacations, offering both unexpected delights and occasional missteps. As highlighted in a article by Musa (12 October 2025), travelers are increasingly turning to tools like ChatGPT to design their dream getaways—sometimes with surprising results.
AI Travel Experiences: Hidden Gems and Local Flavors
Take Khan a 62-year-old from Kent, who began using ChatGPT for travel planning in November 2022. Khan goal was to avoid the usual tourist crowds on a family caravan trip through northern Spain. Instead of the well-trodden paths of San Sebastián, ChatGPT suggested Castro Urdiales, a coastal town with a population of 30,000. The AI highlighted unique attractions such as the 700-year-old gothic church Santa María de la Asunción and a vibrant pintxos scene along the stone harbor.
“ChatGPT’s suggestions led us somewhere we’d never have found on our own—but we always cross-check before clicking book.” –
Khan story shows how AI travel recommendations can help travelers discover lesser-known destinations, offering authentic experiences far from the crowds. The AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data means it can suggest personalized itineraries that might otherwise be missed by traditional guidebooks.
AI Travel Risks: Outdated Info and Logistical Surprises
However, AI travel experiences aren’t always smooth sailing. Hannah Read, 37, from Flintshire, north Wales, used ChatGPT to plan a family road trip to Norway. The AI recommended a ferry route from Newcastle to Bergen—unaware that this service had been discontinued in 2008. This outdated suggestion nearly derailed Hannah’s plans and highlights a key risk: AI tools often lack real-time accuracy, especially for transport and logistics.
Hannah’s experience is a reminder that while AI can inspire, it’s essential to verify critical details independently. Even ChatGPT includes disclaimers about the potential for outdated or incorrect information, especially when it comes to routes, schedules, or local regulations.
Personal Experience: The Walking Distance Dilemma
Another common AI travel glitch involves the practicalities of getting around. For example, AI-generated itineraries may group attractions as “within walking distance,” only for travelers to discover that a supposed short stroll is actually a 45-minute trek—no small feat if you’re managing kids or luggage. Habib 46, found this out while using ChatGPT to plan a family trip to New York, where the AI’s walking tour suggestions sometimes stretched the definition of “close by.”
Who’s Using AI for Travel Planning?
According to ABTA, only 3% of tourists aged 62 use AI for holiday planning, compared to 8% of the general population and 18% among those aged 25-34. This generational gap shows that while AI travel recommendations are gaining ground, their adoption varies widely.
Expert Advice: Inspiration First, Verification Always
Mr. Ghazni of the UK Travel advises travelers to treat AI-generated itineraries as a starting point. He notes that AI can create overly ambitious plans—like squeezing London, Edinburgh, and the Cotswolds into four days—without considering real-world constraints. The best approach is to use AI for inspiration, then double-check every detail before booking.
Not Just for the Young: Who’s Really Using AI Travel Tools?
When it comes to AI travel adoption, many assume it’s only the domain of tech-savvy Millennials and Gen Z explorers. However, recent insights from a article by Khan, published in October 2025, show a more nuanced reality. The use of AI travel planning tools like ChatGPT is spreading across age groups, even if the rates vary. According to the travel association , just 3% of travelers aged 62 and above use AI for holiday planning. This figure rises to 8% for the general population and peaks at 18% among those aged 25–34. These AI travel statistics highlight a clear generational divide, but also a growing curiosity among older travelers.
Take Habib, a 62-year-old from Kent, as an example. Habib started using ChatGPT shortly after its launch in November 2022. He turned to the AI to help plan a caravan holiday in northern Spain for his family. ChatGPT suggested Castro Urdiales, a coastal town known for its 700-year-old Santa María de la Asunción church, lively harbor, and authentic pintxos. Alan appreciated the AI’s knack for uncovering lesser-known destinations, saying,
“I thought I was too old for this stuff, but now my travel agent’s name is ChatGPT.”
While Habib found the tool efficient and inspiring, he still double-checked details on Google and handled bookings himself. Like many in his age group, he remains cautious about making financial transactions through AI chatbots. This blend of curiosity and caution is echoed in data, which shows that while AI in travel is more common among younger users, older adults are increasingly willing to experiment—especially as these travel planning tools become more user-friendly.
It’s not just Habib. The article also features Haroon, 37, who used ChatGPT to plan a family road trip to Norway. The AI suggested a ferry from Newcastle to Bergen—a route discontinued in 2008. Haroon experience is a reminder that, regardless of age, travelers should always verify AI-generated recommendations. Even so, her willingness to try AI tools reflects a broader trend: as digital platforms improve, comfort levels are rising across generations.
David , 46, used ChatGPT to organize a family trip to New York, grouping attractions like house and the Ghostbusters museum into manageable walking tours. His positive outcome came from refining his prompts and cross-checking suggestions, showing that familiarity with AI travel planning tools can lead to better results, regardless of age.
Expert voices, such as Khan from the UK Travel subreddit, stress the importance of realistic expectations. He warns that AI can sometimes suggest overly ambitious itineraries, like squeezing London, Edinburgh, and the Cotswolds into a four-day trip. This advice resonates with travelers of all ages: use AI for inspiration, but apply your own judgment and verify details.
As one personal anecdote goes, even the most tech-averse family members are starting to ask if “that Google chatbot” can map out their next golf getaway. The digital divide is narrowing, and AI travel adoption is no longer just for the young—it’s for anyone willing to give it a try, with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Trust, Safety, and the Art of the Double-Check: When to Lean In (and When to Draw the Line)
As AI-powered tools like ChatGPT become more common in travel planning, questions about AI travel safety and trust are front and center. The article by Musa, published on 12 October 2025, highlights both the promise and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence for holiday planning. While travelers increasingly expect personalized recommendations from AI, full trust remains elusive—human oversight is still essential.
Mary experience planning a family road trip to Norway is a clear reminder of AI travel risks. Relying on ChatGPT, she received a suggestion to take a ferry from Newcastle to Bergen—a route that had not existed since 2008. Mary story underlines a critical point: even the most advanced AI can serve up outdated or incorrect information. As she puts it,
“Chatbots churn out ideas, but don’t let them trick you into booking a non-existent ferry! Triple-check everything.”
This is especially important for core logistics like ferry routes, flight schedules, and hotel addresses, where mistakes can quickly derail a trip.
Despite these risks, AI travel planning tools offer undeniable benefits.Khan, a 62-year-old from Kent, used ChatGPT to uncover hidden gems like Castro Urdiales, a Spanish seaside town with a rich history and vibrant pintxos culture. For Alan, AI made the process more efficient and inspired him to explore places reminiscent of San Sebastián but with fewer tourists. However, he drew the line at financial transactions, preferring to handle bookings himself due to ongoing concerns about AI travel trust and security.
Statistical data from reveals a generational divide in AI adoption: only 3% of tourists aged 62 use AI for holiday planning, compared to 8% of the general population and 18% among those aged 25-34. This suggests that while younger travelers are more open to AI travel booking and automation, skepticism persists—especially when it comes to handing over money or relying on AI for real-time updates.
Expert voices echo the need for caution. David, moderator of the UK Travel , warns that AI tools can suggest overly ambitious itineraries—like squeezing London, Edinburgh, and the Cotswolds into a four-day trip. He advises travelers to use AI for brainstorming and inspiration but to always cross-reference recommendations with Google and official travel sites before making decisions.
“AI tools are creative time-savers, but only when balanced with a dose of reality.”
Ultimately, stories like Khan and Habib, along with expert advice, reinforce a simple truth: AI travel planning tips are most valuable when paired with human judgment. AI can spark creativity and streamline research, but it cannot replace the need for double-checking facts, especially when stakes are high. The art of the double-check—knowing when to lean in and when to draw the line—remains the key to safe, enjoyable, and truly personalized travel.
TL;DR: AI can plan an amazing, creative summer trip in seconds—but always double check the details! For peace of mind, blend AI inspiration with your own research (and some healthy skepticism).
