Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is all the rage these days. Everyone is talking about how it’s going to change the world. But will it change travel? At least, not in the near term.
This article dives into why A.I. might not revolutionize the travel industry anytime soon. While A.I. has transformative potential in many fields, travel holds unique challenges and emotional attachments that technology cannot easily replicate.
Challenges in Travel Planning
The internet is littered with failed companies that tried to reinvent travel planning. They failed because people actually want to plan their travels, as it gives them ownership of their trip. People like researching restaurants, finding hotels, reading blogs and guides, and figuring out what to do. This lends a sense of discovery to the endeavor. Planning a trip gives people an emotional connection to their experience. Companies that tried to remove that have failed or pivoted to booking corporate travel.
Limitations of Current A.I.
It will be a long time before A.I. whips up a good itinerary. Moreover, travel is a deeply emotional and personal experience. A.I. cannot capture the magic of being in a place or provide the inspiration to visit a destination.
Human Touch in Travel
What is more likely in the near term is people using A.I. to book their hotel or flights. It’s not going to take much for such sites to understand what kind of hotels or flights you like. You can probably even give it parameters (‘Never book a flight before 7 a.m.’) as well as show it your past booking activity in order to teach it what you like.
Potential Uses for A.I. in Travel
A.I. bots still generate incorrect information, and you would have to likely double-check their work anyway. Sticking to guidebooks, travel blogs, and content creators remains the best choice for now.
Current Trends and Future Possibilities
Incorporating A.I. in travel can streamline certain processes and make some aspects of travel more convenient. However, it is not likely to replace human interaction and the joy of planning and experiencing travel firsthand.
The Importance of Human Experience
Human interaction, on-the-ground experiences, and genuine recommendations from fellow travelers create a rich and fulfilling journey.
Conclusion
For now, travelers will continue to find joy and satisfaction in planning their own trips, relying on personal insights and experiences to guide their adventures.
In summary, A.I. can assist with booking and recommendations, but it falls short in capturing the emotional and experiential aspects of travel.
Until A.I. can accurately and emotionally convey the essence of a place, the human element will always be central to travel planning and exploration.
Source: Nomadicmatt