How you can use AI to help plan your next holiday
A growing number of Australians are using Artificial Intelligence, or AI, to plan their next holiday.
New research released by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) shows 7 per cent of Australians are now using Artificial Intelligence to organise their next break – including 12 per cent of respondents aged under 35.
The research was based on a survey of more than 2000 Australians.
So how do you use AI to plan a holiday?
Generally speaking, users engage ChatGPT, Open AI’s generative artificial intelligence tool, before answering a series of questions around budget, timing, preferences and logistics etc.
The software then spits out a detailed response, and voila, you’re in business – or so the theory goes. As well as ChatGPT, there are other generative AI tools such as Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s Gemini, not to mention dedicated travel AI sites such as Ask Layla and Trip Planner.
Speaking with the Open Road, TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the Australian travel-organising process.
“AI is looking to transform travel, by not only enhancing the booking experience, but also predicting customer needs and personalising every step of the journey. The future of travel is intelligent, intuitive, and tailor-made for each individual,” said Ms Osmond.
AI-power travel assistants are changing the game. Sites like Ask Layla are helping travellers plan their next adventure.
“With AI-driven insights, travellers can expect more efficient trips, from smart itineraries to personalised recommendations. As the technology evolves, so does the ability to make every journey smoother, faster, and more enjoyable.”
AI transcends many areas of modern life for some, and it’s clear the travel trend isn’t isolated to Australia.
Will AI replace traditional travel planning methods?
In 2024, a study commissioned by US site MoneyLion found that as many as 70 per cent of Americans were using AI in their travel planning.
Although that figure is growing, the research was tempered by the fact that 59 per cent of those same respondents said they are concerned about the possibility of personal information leaking in data breaches when using AI to help plan travel.
A separate UK survey – which found one in 10 Britons are utilising AI for travel planning exposed other flaws: thirty per cent said it had incorrect information, 37 per cent said it had missing information and thirty-eight per cent said it brought up generic answers.
According to Ms Osmond, word-of-mouth, travel books and travel websites will remain a critical resource in travel planning in the foreseeable future.
For example, the NRMA’s Parks and Resorts site is loaded full of advice, ideas, NRMA benefits and specials – and it’s just a click away.
Upcoming travel trends in Australia for 2025
According to the TTF research, travel trends completely removed from AI will also influence the Australian scene in 2025.
- International travel: More than 28 per cent of Australians say they’d be likely to ‘intentionally travel’ for an upcoming trip – that is, create a meaningful journey that aligns with their specific passions rather than a typical destination holiday.
- Solo travel on the rise: Solo travel is becoming quite prevalent among younger Australians, particularly 18-24s (26 per cent of respondents said they’d travel solo) as well as 25-34s (22 per cent).
“Under 35s aren’t waiting around until they’ve found someone to travel with,” Ms Osmond said.
“Around a quarter of young Aussies are booking in holidays and heading away on their own, planning to meet people and make friends at the destinations they’re headed to.”
