Seemingly, artificial intelligence (AI), has been incorporated into our lives with relative ease, from automating office processes to keeping your social media feeds customised to your likes. Yet, according to recent Compare the Market research, people are still wary of using AI to plan their next holiday.*
The research found that only around one in six Aussies (15.3%) would be willing to let AI plan their next travel itinerary, despite many reports pointing to using AI for travel planning as an upcoming trend.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gen Z and Millennials were the most likely to take up an AI-generated holiday plan (around one in five). Yet these numbers are still relatively low, with just above half of both cohorts stating that they would not be willing to let a computer tell them where they should be heading the next time they jet off.
With age came a trend of being less likely to trust AI to create a personalised travel itinerary, with only 7.4% of Baby Boomers stating they would be happy to use AI. This cohort also had the highest number of people flat out refusing to use AI (61.6%), as well as the highest percentage of people who are on the fence about AI (31.0%).
| Gender | Yes | No | Don’t know |
| Gen Z | 21.9% | 50.5% | 27.6% |
| Millennials | 21.7% | 53.5% | 24.7% |
| Gen X | 14.5% | 60.5% | 25.0% |
| Baby Boomers | 7.4% | 61.6% | 31.0% |
| Australian Average | 15.3% | 57.6% | 27.1% |
Speaking on the AI trend in travel, Compare the Market’s travel expert, Catriona Rowntree, said that it’ll be interesting to see whether or not these numbers change in 2024.
“Clearly, we’re seeing the younger generation getting onto the AI bandwagon earlier than older generations,” Ms Rowntree said. “Yet as the technology develops and becomes more readily accessible, perhaps we’ll see a shift in the uptake of using AI to create holiday plans across the board.
“These travel plans are a great way to get the juices flowing and think about ways you can put your trip together in a quicker time frame than if you are just starting from scratch. However, given that most of these services are in their infancy period right now, it may be best to double-check the AI-generated itineraries to see if they actually suit your needs and that there are no double-ups.”
Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of General Insurance and travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, also commented on the importance of getting travel insurance no matter when you plan your holiday.
“We know that people are being extra conscious about their next holiday, given how hard the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is affecting their household budget,” Mr Taylor said. “Where previously people may have had the time to plan their trip with a travel agent, they may no longer have these resources available to them.
“Going online and getting AI to plan such trips, may be a viable option for many people out there. However, one thing that people should not skimp on, or worse go without, is travel insurance.
“Whether you’re skiing in Switzerland or cruising around Cuba, you need to get travel insurance that is right for your needs. In most cases, standard comprehensive travel insurance will not cover you for snow sports, adventure activities or cruises, as cover for these items will need to be purchased as an optional extra.
“So, whether you’re planning your next holiday or letting AI help, be sure to get travel insurance that will cover you for the activities you are planning on partaking in. If something does happen and you’re not covered, you could be out of pocket hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.”
Catriona’s top tips for packing an international trip:
- Make sure you have a pocket guide stashed somewhere in your luggage or carry-on. No matter how much you read upfront, if you are going to a new country, these are handy additions to find your way around, and maybe even find something off the beaten pathway.
- Learn a few customary words in the local language. While in most cases there may be a local who understands a little bit of English, you are the one travelling overseas to experience something new, so it’s customary to learn a few local words. And if you don’t have the time to learn, a pocket dictionary can go a long way.
- Check what locals are wearing and pack accordingly. With social media, it’s now so easy to see what locals in any given area usually wear, and if they are any restrictions of clothing should you want to visit a religious space. You don’t want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe just because the clothes you packed may not be culturally appropriate.
* Compare the Market surveyed 1,002 Australian adults aged 18 and over in November 2023.
-ENDS-
For interviews and more information, please contact:
Noémi Hadnagy | m: 0433 377 252 | e: [email protected]
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