Is AI the new travel agent?

With the rise of AI tools, people have been finding new ways to plan their travels, all of which seem to be faster, smarter, and more personalised than ever before. AI is clearly reshaping the way we think about our trips, and have possibly replaced the more traditional travel agent role completely.

Google, for example, have made recent updates to its travel tools. AI-generated itineraries have become a key feature in Google search, providing travellers with personalised plans based on their prompts.

Even just simply asking ChatGPT to create a day trip to London, will give you instant access to a simple yet well-planned itinerary:

9:00 AM – Arrive at Westminster
Start at Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey

10:15 AM – Walk to Buckingham Palace
Stroll through St. James’s Park (grab a coffee & croissant en route)

If you’re lucky, catch the Changing of the Guard (around 11:00 AM)

12:00 PM – Walk to Trafalgar Square
Pop into the National Gallery (free, quick peek if you like art)

1:00 PM – Lunch in Covent Garden
Explore the market & street performers
Options: Dishoom (Indian), Flat Iron (steak), or Shake Shack for something fast

Option 1 – Museums & Culture

Head to South Kensington for the V&A or Natural History Museum

Quick Tube ride or Uber

Option 2 – Markets & Trendy Vibes

Head to Camden Market or Borough Market for snacks, local shops, and cool vibes

6:00 PM – Sunset View from the London Eye or Sky Garden
(Free entry for Sky Garden but book in advance)

7:30 PM – Dinner on the South Bank
Great river views and options like Skylon, Wahaca, or even classic fish & chips

Optional: Catch a West End show if you’re up for a nightcap to your day!

AI-powered planning not only saves time, but offers both convenience and efficiency that a traditional travel agent just cannot compete with.

Without AI, this itinerary could have taken hours of research, especially to those unfamiliar with the confusing streets of London. But now, it’s available to anyone with a phone and a simple prompt, that’s all it takes! AI saves time, tailors suggestions based on your preferences, and gives you instant access to a well-rounded trip. And what’s stopping you from asking it more questions and giving it more prompts to make it as personalised as possible?

AI is also smart enough to track flight and hotel prices in real time, predicting the best times to book, alerting users when prices are rising or falling. AI is literally making sure that we get the most value for our money and can even generate an entire trip based on a set budget that you give it.

For example, I gave ChatGPT this prompt: I have a £50 budget and would like to explore Gothenburg tomorrow. Give me an itinerary for my day. And here’s what I got:

8:30 AM – Fika at da Matteo
Start your day with a traditional Swedish coffee and pastry at da Matteo on Vallgatan 5. A coffee and a cinnamon bun will cost around 60 SEK

9:30 AM – Stroll through Haga
Explore the charming Haga district, known for its cobblestone streets and wooden houses. It’s a great spot for window shopping and soaking in the atmosphere.​

11:00 AM – Visit Göteborgs Konsthall
Enjoy contemporary art exhibitions at Göteborgs Konsthall, located at Götaplatsen. Admission is free, making it a perfect cultural stop.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Stora Saluhallen
Head to Stora Saluhallen (Kungstorget 17) for a variety of affordable lunch options. Expect to spend around 100–150 SEK for a meal.

2:00 PM – Explore Slottsskogen Park
Visit Slottsskogen, Gothenburg’s main public park. Enjoy free attractions like the zoo, playgrounds, and beautiful walking paths.

4:00 PM – Visit Göteborgs Botanical Garden
Explore one of Europe’s largest botanical gardens. Admission is free, and it’s a peaceful spot to relax.​

5:30 PM – Ice Cream at Lejonet & Björnen
Indulge in a scoop of unique-flavored ice cream at Lejonet & Björnen (Danska Vägen 74). A scoop costs around 25 SEK.

6:30 PM – Dinner at Broderi Borgskog
Enjoy a hearty meal at Broderi Borgskog (Prinsgatan 3). Expect to spend about 150–200 SEK for dinner

8:00 PM – Attend a Free Event
Check local listings for free events or live music happening around the city. Many venues offer free entry or low-cost tickets.​

Fika: 60 SEK

Lunch: 100–150 SEK

Dinner: 150–200 SEK

Ice Cream: 25 SEK

Miscellaneous (transport, small purchases): 100–150 SEK
Total: Approximately 435–585 SEK (leaving room for additional treats or souvenirs)

A world without AI is no longer possible, so we must learn to live with it. But, at the same time, we cannot let it dominate the way we experience the world.

And just like that, my day is sorted…in just under a minute. So, AI-powered planning not only saves time, but offers both convenience and efficiency that a traditional travel agent just cannot compete with. What more could you want?

However, we must ask the all-important question: Are we losing the human touch that should come with travel planning? While I have generated a day-trip itinerary for London, and a cost-effective day out in Gothenburg in a matter of seconds, it’s easy to see that they both lack lived experiences. How can I trust an algorithm? Who’s to say I will end up being disappointed by the realities of its suggestions? That’s a risk I’m just going to have to take. Unlike AI, a traditional travel agent may have insider tips that no algorithm can fully replicate. Travel agents have many years of experience and knowledge of destinations that AI will never truly match, and we should be asking ourselves whether this is the more meaningful way to plan our travels or not.

So, perhaps AI shouldn’t be the new travel agent, but an assistant of sorts. We should aim to mix tech efficiency with human insight, a combination that could benefit us all. A world without AI is no longer possible, so we must learn to live with it. But, at the same time, we cannot let it dominate the way we experience the world. I guess it’s just about finding the right balance between the two.