AI Travel Planning and Why a Travel Advisor Still Matters
- Jodi Howe
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Why the smartest journeys still need a human touch.
The rise of artificial intelligence has transformed how we dream about travel. With a single prompt, you can receive pages of destination suggestions, sample itineraries, even restaurant recommendations — all in seconds. It’s fast, convenient, and often fascinating.
But while AI travel planning can be a great starting point, it’s rarely the best finishing touch. Because travel isn’t just about logistics — it’s about nuance, safety, authenticity, and deeply personal moments. And that’s where a trusted travel advisor becomes not just helpful, but indispensable.
Inspiration vs. Implementation: Where AI Falls Short
There’s nothing wrong with using AI to gather ideas. In fact, many of our clients arrive with a handful of suggestions they’ve collected from tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. But as powerful as these programs are, they don’t understand the world — they predict words based on patterns. And that leads to problems.
Take the now infamous case of the “Sacred Canyon of Humantay” in Peru. Two travelers, guided by an AI-generated itinerary, spent hundreds of dollars traveling to a place that doesn’t exist — a fictional destination invented when the model combined unrelated terms into a convincing-sounding name. They were lucky to encounter a local guide before attempting a dangerous, unmarked hike into the high-altitude Andes.
This isn’t an isolated example. AI has sent travelers to a non-existent Eiffel Tower in Beijing, recommended marathon routes that require more time on trains than exploring cities, and even left hikers stranded on a mountain when a ropeway schedule it “confidently” reported turned out to be hours off.
When AI gets it wrong, it’s not just inconvenient — it can be costly, frustrating, or even dangerous.
The Value of Human Expertise in Curated Value-Rich Travel Experiences
AI is designed to generate words, not wisdom. It doesn’t know which trails become impassable after heavy rain, which charming inn is actually a two-hour detour from your intended route, or when a ferry stops running for the season. It can’t anticipate a flight schedule change or secure that private vineyard tasting that only accepts bookings through industry contacts.
This is where working with a travel advisor transforms an idea into a reality. We bring the depth that AI lacks — from safety considerations and logistical flow to insider relationships and cultural nuance. It’s how a list of suggestions becomes a seamless, personalized journey.
And while AI can suggest “three days in Tuscany,” an experienced advisor will know which town best matches your travel style, which villa pairs proximity with privacy, and which guide can unlock stories you won’t find online.
AI Travel Planning + Human Design: The Best of Both Worlds
We’re not here to say, “Don’t use AI.” On the contrary, if you love experimenting with it, by all means, use AI as a brainstorming tool. Explore what’s possible. See which ideas spark your curiosity. But then — reach out to your travel advisor.
That’s when the real magic happens.
Together, we’ll refine those rough ideas into an itinerary that’s realistic, balanced, and tailored to you. We’ll confirm that destinations exist, schedules align, and every transfer, connection, and reservation flows smoothly. And we’ll add the finishing touches that only a human can: private-access experiences, boutique stays, vetted local guides, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone has thought through every detail.
Travel Is Too Important to Leave to Algorithms
Travel is more than a transaction — it’s an investment in memory-making, connection, and discovery. It’s the laughter shared over a meal in a tucked-away trattoria, the hush of a sunrise game drive as elephants cross the savannah, the joy of watching your children see a world monument for the first time.
AI can point you in the right direction. But a trusted travel advisor ensures you arrive there well-prepared, deeply immersed, and ready to enjoy every moment.
A Thoughtful Invitation
If you’re dreaming about your next journey, go ahead — ask AI for inspiration. But before you book, let’s talk. We’ll turn those rough ideas into a journey that’s seamless, enriching, and truly yours.
Let’s design a journey that feels uniquely yours — an experience that captures the beauty, balance, and spirit of the world beyond the algorithm.
