Why AI Shouldn’t Replace Your Travel Agent

Source: iStock
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm. From writing papers to suggesting restaurants and recipes, AI is making our lives easier and more efficient.
AI has undoubtedly revolutionized the travel industry, making it easier than ever to discover new destinations and book travel online. However, when it comes to the complex world of travel planning, there’s no substitute for the personalized service, expertise, and support a human travel agent provides.
Here’s why you may want to rethink picking AI over a human to book your next vacation:
Personalized Service A human travel agent can offer personalized service that considers your needs and preferences. You’re mainly on your own when you book travel through an AI platform. You can input your likes and desired destinations but still rely on an algorithm to suggest destinations and accommodations.
Expertise and Experience Sure, AI can access a wealth of data and information about travel destinations and accommodations. However, this doesn’t necessarily equate to expertise and experience. A travel agent who has visited the destination you’re interested in or who has extensive knowledge of a particular type of travel can provide insights and recommendations that an AI platform simply can’t match.
Flexibility and Adaptability Travel plans can change in the blink of an eye. Maybe your flight gets canceled, or your accommodations aren’t what you expected. When you book through an AI platform, you’re often left to deal with these issues on your own. Travel agents can help you navigate unexpected challenges like lost luggage, travel delays, or hotel issues.
Accountability and Support If something goes wrong with your travel plans, who do you turn to for help? When you book through an AI platform, you’re often left on your own to deal with challenges or issues that arise. But a travel agent can provide accountability and support, advocating on your behalf to resolve any problems that might arise before, during, or after your trip.
One USA Today reporter put AI to the test to book a vacation to New York City. For his research, Nathan Diller used ChatGPT and a human travel agent at Clarksburg Travel Service. He found that the human travel agent was able to provide a much more personalized service than AI, including recommendations and different options.
“If I had been simply looking for advice on what to do and suggested ways to do it, ChatGPT served me well as a kind of consultant while I considered my options,” Diller wrote in USA Today. “But based on my experience with the current iteration of the free program, a flesh-and-blood adviser can offer a more full-service experience with a travel agent who will not only make recommendations but also book my travel.”