Planning a summer vacation? Let AI be your travel guide!
This summer, whether you already have a trip meticulously planned or are just starting your research, you might want to consider letting generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) do some of the legwork. With the help of genAI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, you can plan a trip tailor-made to your interests and needs in a matter of seconds.
You wouldn’t be the only one letting AI take the lead. According to new data from the travel site Expedia, 40 percent are interested in trying out AI to make trip plans this summer, compared to just 6 percent in 2023. GenAI is also seeing repeat travel-planning customers. According to a report from consulting firm Oliver Wyman, of those who used AI for their trips, 82 percent said they were likely to use it for travel plans again in the future.
To help you get started, we’ve gathered trip-planning tips from across the web and written some example prompts for some free generative AI tools. Let’s get planning!
Use AI Safely and Securely!
Before you get started, please remember to be careful about the type of data you share with AI tools. To protect yourself, do not share anything with AI tools that you wouldn’t want to become public, like bank information, your social security number, or your driver’s license number. While this article is geared towards personal use, if you consider using any of the tools for work-related projects, remember that UC Davis prohibits inputting sensitive university data into AI tools. For additional information, please review the full UC Davis guidance on using genAI (UC Davis CAS login required).
Make AI your personal travel advisor
While AI is already in many travel sites, like TripAdvisor and Hotels.com, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini can help you quickly generate ideas and avoid information overload. What may have taken you hours of research before may take just seconds with a well-worded prompt. And I may just be me, but I’ve noticed better results when I ask politely, although AI companies say tools are not (yet) sentient.
Narrow down your destination
If you are starting from scratch and you don’t have a specific destination in mind, generative AI can help you narrow down your options. However, it helps to be specific about the “vibe” you’re looking for. For the best results, also include when you want to travel, who you’re traveling with, and your budget. Let’s tap ChatGPT for this prompt example.
| PROMPT EXAMPLE | RESULTS SUMMARY |
|---|---|
| Ask ChatGPT: Please suggest three family friendly tropical travel destinations for the weekend of July 20, 2024, for two adults and one 8-year-old child, with a budget of $2,000. | ChatGPT suggested Puerto Rico, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, with family-friendly accommodations, activities (zip-lining, wildlife and boat tours, and beach days), and reminded me to check travel restrictions and to book in advance for the best deals. Click the link below to see the full ChatGPT results from our prompt. |
Build an Itinerary
Once you have your date and location nailed down and some activities and restaurants you want to include, gen AI can help you build a trip itinerary. Be specific about what you want to include. I’m going to use Copilot for this one.
| PROMPT EXAMPLE | RESULTS SUMMARY |
|---|---|
| Ask Copilot: Please build a vacation itinerary for July 12-14, 2024, for a family to South Lake Tahoe with two adults and two children aged 10, including kayaking, hiking, family friendly breweries, and a local bookstore, with a budget of under $2,000. | This one was really cool and detailed. It separated each day into three segments and included restaurants, shopping, and budget-friendly activities (which can be hard to find in Tahoe!) Click the link below to view the full Copilot South Lake Tahoe vacation itinerary prompt results. |
Create a travel guide
You can even use gen AI tools to create a travel guide and be a tourist in your own city. This could be particularly useful for date nights or if you have indecisive family visiting and you don’t have time to plan their trip for them. I’m going to Gemini for this one.
| PROMPT EXAMPLE | RESULTS SUMMARY |
|---|---|
| Ask Gemini: Please create a travel guide for Sacramento over the 2024 fourth of July holiday weekend, focused on locally owned shops and restaurants and family-friendly activities. | Ok, I had my doubts with this one, but as someone who seeks out local establishments, Gemini hit the mark, but I noticed a few inaccuracies. First, it suggested breakfast at Magpie Cafe, but the restaurant doesn’t open until lunchtime. The rest of the local suggestions were on target – R Street has a fantastic selection of locally-owned, eclectic shops and Gunthe’s is the BEST ice cream in Sacramento (I am willing to die on this hill!) Click the link below to check out the full Gemini results from the Fourth of July in Sacramento travel guide prompt. |
Double check your results!
AI has come a long way, but it is far from perfect. According to SEO Travel, when it comes to AI-generated itineraries, 24 percent of the recommended restaurants or attractions were no longer open. In addition, AI may also incorrectly suggest a hotel that is out of your price range or provide incorrect hours for a business.
So, before booking a trip, double check the important details with verified sources. Use AI as the jumping off point in your summer travel planning. It can help turn your travel dreams into reality, but you still must book things yourself and confirm its suggestions, for now. The future of travel planning is as bright as the sparkling pool at your next tropical resort.