AI vs Travel: Can AI Be Your New Travel agent?
- chlopickstock
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Is AI rewriting the way we travel?
In this world of rapidly developing technology, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is continuing to evolve, and in its role in travel and tourism, growing more central in influencing personalised planning and recommendations.
However, in an increasingly artificial world, it raises an important question: will AI replace the personal service of human travel agents, or can it work alongside them?
The Rise of AI Travel Companions:
AI results on algorithms that are designed to learn from user inputs. By analysing preferences, social media usage, past searches and even previous experiences, AI can suggest personalised travel recommendations and even uncover hidden gems that you may not have ever thought of. While a travel agent may take hours to curate suggestions, AI can do it in seconds. It’s efficient and surprisingly customised.
I recently came across a unique site called Layla, an AI-powered personal travel agent. Tell her what you want in your trip, and she sorts the rest. Curious, I asked her to plan a 5-night stay in Paris. In seconds, she generated a full itinerary that was complete with a day-by-day itinerary, maps, and even a Pinterest board. It was organised, quick and even felt friendly…without ever having to interact with a real person. But it got me thinking: are we becoming too anti-social?
ChatGPT vs. Layla: A Digital Showdown
Curious, I went onto ChatGPT and asked the same question. Could it also plan me a Paris trip? It could, and it also came complete with pictures, suggested itineraries, and resources like train schedules and flight comparisons.
The difference? ChatGPT offered a broader overview but not as much detail as Layla. And while both are budget-friendly (ChatGPT is free, Layla has a small subscription), neither can actually book your flights or hotel. A human travel agent still has the advantage there by handling the messy logistics and being just a phone call away if something goes wrong.
For someone like me, who enjoys planning trips independently, AI is extremely useful. It’s fast, cheap, and flexible. But if you prefer the reassurance of having someone on the other end of the phone, a traditional agent still wins.
Has Travel Lost Its Spontaneity?
Maybe using AI is like travelling with your type-A best friend. The one who never gets flustered and always knows the shortcuts and how to avoid the queues. Or maybe it’s like having a local tour guide you’re too shy to approach yourself.
But for those who enjoy spontaneity, is AI simply replacing the magic? If the algorithm already knows the “perfect” café in Montmartre, do we lose the joy of stumbling across one by accident? Perhaps AI is too busy optimising our routes to leave space for detours.
The balance, I think, is in using AI as a tool, not a replacement. Let it find the flights, recommend restaurants, or translate your broken French. But leave room for detours and wrong turns because that’s where the best stories come from.
The Human Touch
Tailoring trips isn’t just about booking tickets. It’s about understanding. A great travel agent gets to know your quirks, your unique preferences, and what truly makes a trip unforgettable. AI is trying to bridge that gap—after all, many people now treat ChatGPT like a confidant, a therapist, even a friend.
AI definitely has the power to tailor our experiences as personally as a travel agent can, and from the comfort of our own home. But when things go wrong? That’s when human agents surpass. AI might know my preferences better than some of my friends, but can it comfort me when I’m stranded at Gare du Nord with a dead phone battery? Not yet. An AI might suggest alternatives, but it can’t negotiate on your behalf or reassure you the way a real person can.
Moving Forward
Maybe AI isn’t here to replace travel agents at all. Instead, it could be the instrument that helps both travellers and professionals optimise travel planning. It can streamline, personalise, and inspire, while human agents continue to provide empathy, reassurance, and expertise when it matters most.
Maybe the future of travel isn’t one or the other, but working alongside each other? After all, isn’t the best journey one that blends efficiency with some human touch?
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