Using AI For Vacation Planning?

Significant skepticism despite interest: German travelers are hesitant to use AI. A recent study by YouGov, an international company specializing in online market research and analytics technology, highlights the gap between the perceived potential and actual use of AI applications in the travel sector.

AI (artificial intelligence) could revolutionize travel. But Germans remain skeptical, as the YouGov study shows. While many travelers can generally imagine using a digital tool to help with their vacations and vacation planning, actual usage is usually still below 10 percent.

High interest, low adoption

An online survey of 12,389 people in Germany who traveled between September 2024 and August 2025 reveals a significant discrepancy: Many travelers are generally open to AI applications, but practical adoption remains low. When it comes to communication and translation, 40 percent can imagine using AI. In reality, however, only eight percent actually use it. The situation is similar for personalized recommendations (38 percent interest, 6 percent usage) and customized travel plans (33 percent interest, 4 percent usage).

AI appeal varies depending on the stage of the trip

The study also reveals differences in the acceptance of AI applications depending on the stage of the trip:

When planning a trip, personalized AI applications are particularly appealing. Twenty-one percent of travelers can envision tailored recommendations for destinations, routes, and attractions, while 17 percent can envision personalized itineraries based on personal preferences. Thirteen percent are interested in automatic summaries of reviews to aid decision-making. Actual AI usage for these three use cases, however, ranges between 2 and 5 percent.

When it comes to booking travel, acceptance is significantly lower. AI-powered assistance is rarely used in this area as well. Only 14 percent of travelers can envision using personalized AI assistance when booking accommodations, transportation, or activities. Twelve percent would consider tailored recommendations, and 10 percent would seek help with last-minute changes to their itinerary. AI usage in this area is currently at just up to 1 percent.

The greatest potential for artificial intelligence lies at the destination: this is where acceptance is highest. AI solutions for translation and communication are particularly in demand (36 percent interest), as are automatic reminders and notifications via app regarding check-in times or departure times (27 percent), and location-based information on visitor numbers or weather (20 percent). These applications support travelers directly on-site in specific situations.

When considering the entire process, from trip planning to the stay at the destination, the actual use of AI on-site plays the biggest role: up to 6 percent of travelers already use AI at their destination.

AI usage is a matter of age and income

The study reveals clear sociodemographic differences: younger travelers are significantly more open to AI when traveling and use related applications more frequently than average. In contrast, 34 percent of people aged 65 and older fundamentally reject AI applications when traveling. Lower-income groups are also more skeptical of the technology: For 36 percent of people with a net household income below 2,000 euros, using AI while traveling is out of the question.

Christoph Zeh, Account Director at YouGov: “Our findings clearly show that the potential of AI in the travel sector is enormous, but we are still in the very early stages. The significant gap between interest and actual usage suggests that many travelers are not yet familiar with the available AI tools or do not trust them. This is where the industry needs to step up and develop user-friendly and transparent solutions that offer real added value.”

How to Use AI for Travel Planning

In addition to AI assistants like ChatGPT, there are specialized apps, some of which are even free. Premium subscriptions are often available for advanced features and faster responses. For example, Layla-AI Trip Planner creates personalized itineraries that include flights, hotels, and activities. TravelBuddy is another one of these smart travel companions. It provides personalized itineraries and helps you discover unique places.

To actually get helpful answers from a digital travel advisor, it all comes down to the prompt. As always, you only get the right answers if you’ve asked the right questions. So what makes a good prompt? A prompt is the request or instruction given to the artificial intelligence. Just like in a conversation, the clearer and more detailed your questions are, the more precise the answers will be.

Asking the right questions

The anatomy of a good prompt is well explained in TUI Magic Life Magazine. Here are the key elements:

• Context: Who are you, and what is your situation? (e.g., “Family with two school-age children”)
• Goal: What do you want to achieve? (e.g., “Looking for a family-friendly resort with childcare”)
• Criteria: What requirements are important to you? (e.g., sports facilities, dining options, proximity to the beach, budget)
• Format: How should the answer be structured? (e.g., “Give me 3 specific recommendations with reasons”)

Using AI saves time and offers other benefits. You no longer have to spend hours scrolling through travel websites and sending countless inquiries. A digital travel advisor is available around the clock and provides tailored recommendations in a matter of seconds. AI assistants are also useful once you’re on vacation. Since they usually speak multiple languages, they can help translate menus, tour descriptions, or local information.

However, even when planning a vacation with AI, you should still trust your intuition. Take a close look at the photos of the suggested hotels and read the reviews. If your gut feeling isn’t right, disregard the recommendation and keep looking. This is the only way to achieve the best result and avoid disappointment.