How AI Turned My Summer Vacation Dreams Into a Real Adventure

Alan Smith and his family were looking for a memorable summer holiday, and they found it in Castro Urdiales, a small seaside town in northern Spain. Interestingly, Alan had never heard of this town before. He discovered it through ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that suggested destinations and helped him plan his trip. Alan and his wife drove from Kent, England, to Spain with their caravan, meeting up with their daughter and her boyfriend. ChatGPT recommended several places to visit in the area, making sure the drives between them were not too long. Castro Urdiales turned out to be the highlight of their holiday. The town is known for its ancient church, Santa María de la Asunción, which is over 700 years old and sits on a hill above the harbor. The harbor is busy with fishermen bringing in sardines and anchovies, and the town itself is lively but not overcrowded with tourists. Alan described it as a smaller, less touristy version of San Sebastián, with plenty of pintxos, the tasty Spanish snacks. Alan is 62 years old, and according to a report from the travel association ABTA, only 3% of people his age use AI to help plan their holidays. The average for all age groups is 8%, and the highest use is among people aged 25 to 34, at 18%. Alan used ChatGPT to get ideas for places to visit and routes to take, but he double-checked everything on Google to make sure the suggestions were accurate. He made all the bookings himself, as he was unsure about ChatGPT's ability to handle reservations, especially when money was involved. Alan started using ChatGPT soon after it was released in 2022 and now uses it regularly for various tasks, from finding travel information to looking up recipes. He prefers it over traditional search engines because it saves time and gives direct answers, rather than making him read through multiple travel blogs. Alan said he was impressed by ChatGPT's results, but he also warned that it can sometimes be wrong. Hannah Read, another traveler, tried to use an AI chatbot to plan a trip to Norway with her partner and three children. She wanted to drive from Flintshire, Wales, and take a ferry across the North Sea. ChatGPT told her there was a ferry from Newcastle to Bergen, but when she checked a ferry travel website, she found out that route no longer exists. The last time it operated was in 2008. Hannah was disappointed because she had already started planning the trip in her mind. She advised others not to rely completely on AI and to do proper research. ChatGPT itself reminds users to check important information, as it can make mistakes. David Harris used AI to help plan his family's first holiday in New York. He knew the destination but was unsure how much they could fit into four and a half days. He asked ChatGPT to suggest attractions and activities, grouping them by location so his family could walk between them. David said ChatGPT gave him a lot of information, and after refining his requests, he ended up with a great list of things to do. He did not check opening times or walking directions, trusting the AI's recommendations. David said he will try using AI to find cheaper flights for his next holiday to the Mediterranean.

Alistair Berry, a moderator on the UK Travel subreddit, said AI tools can be helpful for holiday planning but should be used with caution. He explained that chatbots sometimes give poor advice, like suggesting tourists can see London, Edinburgh, and the Cotswolds in just four days, which is unrealistic. Alistair advised travelers to fact-check AI suggestions and understand that chatbots are programmed to be encouraging and affirming, which can lead to unrealistic plans.

Overall, AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming more popular for planning holidays, but users should always verify the information and do their own research. While AI can save time and offer useful ideas, it is not perfect and can make mistakes. By combining AI suggestions with careful checking, travelers can enjoy a smoother and more enjoyable holiday experience.