AI Travel Planning: When Smart Tools Go Wrong

Published: 29 September 2025. the English Chronicle Desk

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every facet of daily life, travellers are increasingly turning to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini to plan their trips. While these programs promise to simplify travel planning and offer personalized recommendations, recent experiences reveal that relying on AI without caution can lead to confusion, disappointment, and even dangerous situations.

Miguel Angel Gongora Meza, founder and director of Evolution Treks Peru, recently encountered such a scenario while preparing for a trek through the Andes. In a rural Peruvian town, he overheard two unaccompanied tourists enthusiastically discussing their plans to hike to the “Sacred Canyon of Humantay.” Upon inspection, it became clear that the location did not exist. “They showed me a screenshot, confidently written and full of vivid adjectives, but it was not true. There is no Sacred Canyon of Humantay,” Gongora Meza explained. The supposed location combined elements of two unrelated places, and the tourists had paid nearly $160 for a journey that would take them to a rural road near Mollepata, without a guide or any real destination.

The implications of such misinformation can be serious. Gongora Meza stressed, “This sort of misinformation is perilous in Peru. The elevation, the climatic changes, and accessibility of the paths must be planned carefully. When you use a program like ChatGPT, which combines pictures and names to create a fantasy, you can find yourself at an altitude of 4,000 meters without oxygen and no phone signal.” In extreme environments like the Andes, such mistakes can quickly turn life-threatening.

While the allure of AI-assisted travel planning lies in its convenience and the breadth of information it can provide, the technology is not infallible. Surveys indicate that around 30% of international travellers now rely on generative AI tools and specialized travel platforms such as Wonderplan and Layla to help design their itineraries. These tools can create detailed plans, recommend sightseeing spots, and even suggest optimal travel times. However, the information generated is only as reliable as the data the AI has been trained on, and it may combine real places with fabricated details in ways that are misleading.

For some travellers, the consequences of AI errors are more than just inconvenient—they can disrupt an entire trip. Dana Yao and her husband experienced this firsthand during a planned hike to the summit of Mount Misen on Japan’s Itsukushima Island. Following ChatGPT’s instructions, they set off in the afternoon, hoping to reach the summit for sunset. However, upon attempting to descend via the ropeway, they discovered that the last ride had already departed. “That’s when the problem showed up,” Yao said. “We were stuck at the mountain top because ChatGPT had given incorrect information about the ropeway schedule.”

Similarly, Layla, another AI travel platform, briefly misinformed users by claiming that an Eiffel Tower existed in Beijing and proposing an impractical marathon route across northern Italy for a British traveller. “The itineraries didn’t make a lot of logical sense,” the traveller reported. “We would have spent more time on transport than actually experiencing anything.” Such errors demonstrate the importance of verifying AI-generated recommendations with up-to-date, local sources or human experts.

Despite these risks, AI remains a transformative tool in the travel industry. It can provide tailored itineraries, suggest off-the-beaten-path locations, and even anticipate potential scheduling conflicts. Many travellers appreciate the creative inspiration AI offers, especially when exploring unfamiliar regions or organizing multi-destination trips. Yet, experts caution that these tools should complement—not replace—traditional planning methods, including consulting guidebooks, official tourism websites, and local guides.

Travel professionals also emphasize the importance of understanding AI’s limitations. “AI can be incredibly helpful for generating ideas and streamlining planning, but it does not account for real-time conditions, human errors, or nuanced local knowledge,” said Gongora Meza. “Travelers need to use critical judgment and verify information independently to avoid potentially dangerous situations.”

As AI continues to evolve, its role in tourism is expected to grow. However, recent incidents underline the potential risks of overreliance on technology. Travellers who blindly follow AI-generated itineraries may find themselves navigating nonexistent locations, missing critical transport connections, or encountering environmental hazards. The growing prevalence of such experiences highlights the need for both improved AI accuracy and increased awareness among users.

Ultimately, while AI can enrich travel experiences and provide inspiration, it cannot replace the value of human knowledge and careful preparation. Whether hiking in the Andes, exploring Japanese islands, or navigating European cities, travellers must combine the efficiency of AI with vigilance and practical verification to ensure their journeys are safe, enjoyable, and memorable.