February 4, 2026 | 06:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There are numerous ways to find inspiration when planning a vacation, ranging from social media and travel articles to the personal experiences of colleagues or family. In this high-tech era, travelers can even take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI).
Cathy Diercksen, an independent agent from Marvelous Mouse Travels, acknowledged that technology has advanced significantly since she became a travel agent ten years ago. Now, all vendors utilize different technologies, and she believes that travelers can suffer if they are not familiar with these methods. She cited Disney's constantly changing system as an example, noting that the same applies to cruise ships.
"When do you have to check in? When do you have to make your dining reservations? Everything is technology-based," Diercksen told People.
Therefore, she stated that if travelers do not understand the technology or do not know where to look, and are not guided on when to take necessary steps, they might miss important aspects of the cruise or vacation, particularly crucial dates.
When to Plan a Trip with AI
She recommends AI services like ChatGPT or others only as a starting point for searching. For instance, they can be used to seek guidance if one is unsure about which destination to visit, what activities to pursue, or whether an all-inclusive package is suitable for a family or solo trip. However, she warned that the results are not always accurate, and it is still best to rely on travel agents.
According to Diercksen's experience, the information displayed can sometimes be incorrect. For example, a traveler told her that they received information about Disney that turned out to be outdated. Others have made daily travel plans for Disney parks that, upon rechecking, proved to be inaccurate.
"So, it does cause a lot of confusion as to what can and can't be done," she said, reminding travelers that for accurate facts, they should consult with a professional agent.
Inaccurate Results, Travelers Duped
As Diercksen revealed, the inaccuracy of AI search results often causes travelers to fall into traps. This was experienced by two tourists in Peru who were searching for the Holy Humantay Gorge in the Andes Mountains.
According to a BBC report, they had paid approximately 140 euros, or around Rp2.8 million, to reach a remote village without a direction or guide. Fortunately, a local tour guide overheard their conversation and stopped them from continuing their journey.
In another example, two tourists got stuck at a mountain peak in Japan after using ChatGPT to plan their climb at sunset. However, the information regarding the operating hours of the cable car for the descent was inaccurate.
Despite such incidents, it appears that the use of AI is becoming increasingly popular. As reported by Euronews, a Booking.com survey showed that 89 percent of respondents intend to use AI in their future travel planning, as AI systems are considered a more reliable source than travel bloggers or social media.
Read: Why Tourists Keep Returning to the Same Vacation Spot
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