Planning Your Travel (A)Itinerary
Vinay Bhola is an Associate at KS&R, boasting over eight years of experience in market research and brand strategy. He excels as a liaison between clients and their target audience, leveraging advanced research methodologies and a deep understanding of the marketplace to deliver strategic, actionable insights. Vinay holds a firm belief that the key to insightful market research is listening to the data—it always tells a story, but the meaning must be interpreted.
More travelers than ever are turning to AI tools to help with trip planning. Whether it’s for finding inspiration, comparing accommodations, or building personalized itineraries, AI is becoming a go-to resource for streamlining the process. Instead of spending hours researching, people are now using AI assistants to simplify decisions, get tailored recommendations, and make travel planning more efficient.
AI in Travel: A Growing Market
AI-powered travel planning has evolved from a niche trend into something much bigger in recent times. According to MoneyLion’s 2024 Travel and AI Trends report, 69% of Americans “are either using, planning to use, or open to using AI to plan their trips this year,” with 20% of those aged 18-34 having already incorporated AI-assisted tools into their travel planning process.
Major travel companies like Booking.com, Expedia, and Delta are incorporating Gen AI tools to help their customers create a more seamless and personalized experiences. Benefits of using tools include: making it easier to customize itineraries, find the best flights, hotels, and rentals, and even suggest activities based on personal preferences.
Many travelers see AI as a game-changer, praising its convenience and creative support. Social media users have expressed enthusiasm, with @MaddyFittnessforWomen adding “Omg why didn’t I think of using ChatGPT! So so smart!”
For some, AI even helped make the process of trip planning less overwhelming. As one traveler shared, “Using AI as a travel agent is a growing trend, and it can be a game-changer, especially for someone with a busy schedule and ADHD.”
AI-powered platforms like GPTour, which create personalized audio tours, are also gaining traction. @framedjimmy shared, “One [AI] app that I love is called GPTour. It creates personalized audio tours and works anywhere you want it to. Very affordable too. It really just takes the stress away of finding a tour to do. It sounds like a real human too.”
Travelers Are Divided on AI
Not everyone is sold on AI-powered travel assistants, with many struggling to trust AI more broadly. While some travelers love the convenience, others question whether AI offers anything new beyond traditional travel platforms.
For example, Reddit user @Purple-Control8336 asks, “[The idea] of using Gen AI is cool, but what additional value do we get compared to all travel booking apps like Booking.com and Agoda?” Others feel AI is helpful for brainstorming but hesitate to rely on it completely. As @Zhaphod puts it, “AI travel planners are great for inspiration, especially when you’re overwhelmed with options, but I agree it can feel odd trusting a computer at first.”
Some remain skeptical about AI replacing traditional resources. @Appropriate_Volume points out, “I suspect that AI services are more useful in summarizing information, but a good guidebook would do a better job.”
What’s Next for AI in Travel?
Using AI to assist with travel planning is still a relatively new concept, but its presence is rapidly expanding. Many brands have already integrated AI into their services, while new AI assistants like Roam Around, Layla, and GuideGeek are emerging to offer travelers more personalized and efficient options. Some may not even realize that some of the tools they already use — like Google Maps, Booking.com, and Expedia — are powered by AI.
With Summer and Holiday 2024 setting record-breaking travel numbers and further growth anticipated, the demand for smarter, more convenient planning tools is only expected to rise. In fact, a January 2025 KS&R survey found that 78% of our employees already had travel plans for the year. That level of early planning could signal that these tools are helping people feel more confident and organized when making travel decisions.
Will AI become an essential part of travel, or is it just a fad? That’s the big question. One thing’s for sure – AI is changing how we explore the world, and its influence is only growing across all sectors.
Insights in this article were gathered by KS&R’s Social Insights Exchange (SIX) team, which analyzes online conversations and reactions to uncover trends.
About KS&R
KS&R is a nationally recognized strategic consultancy and marketing research firm that provides clients with timely, fact-based insights and actionable solutions through industry-centered expertise. Specializing in Technology, Business Services, Entercom & Recreation, Healthcare, Retail & E-Commerce, and Transportation & Logistics verticals, KS&R empowers companies globally to make smarter business decisions. For more information, please visit www.ksrinc.com.
