Travel planning has always been a winding journey. According to the Trends Global Survey, travelers invest over five hours in consuming online travel content for inspiration and finalize their trip plans 45 days in advance before booking. With the advent of generative AI, more individuals are initiating their travel plans using tools like chatGPT by OpenAI or Llama by Meta, thus saving time and achieving their travel objectives.

Waleed Helal, a 36-year-old Egyptian marketer residing in Dubai, shares his experience with generative AI. "For a new city, it significantly aids in outlining the itinerary, pinpointing the must-visit spots, and suggesting activities at the destination. It's ideal for exploration, understanding, and planning, especially for first-time visits or when aiming to explore extensively." Helal emphasizes the importance of detailed prompts when dealing with intricate itineraries. "My prompts are always detailed. Sometimes, I prompt it to ask questions that a travel expert would inquire about. Or, based on my preferences, I prompt it accordingly."

One notable change AI brings is the time saved in planning and discovering what a destination offers. Rohit Arora, a 46-year-old Indian Director of Strategy & Growth in Dubai, highlights this. "In the pre-chatGPT era, you'd spend hours Googling about a destination, comparing itineraries. Now, with chatGPT, you input your travel dates and receive a comprehensive itinerary in mere minutes. The simplification of life is a significant benefit."

However, these tools fall short in uncovering hidden gems, leaving space for human insight. Helal notes, "Most recommendations are common and easily found online. The hidden gems I've discovered were through locals who shared unique experiences unknown to AI. There's always room for human knowledge and interaction." These AI-generated itineraries provide broad outlines that can be refined based on personal preferences.

Arora uses these itineraries as guidelines. "Whether you follow it exactly is up to each individual, but it offers a broad outline of what to see and do. For instance, during my recent trip to Azerbaijan, I asked for authentic restaurant recommendations, and it provided detailed suggestions for each day. It was almost everything I needed to know as a tourist in minutes." Helal, who previously relied on extensive research using search engines and travel sites, appreciates the format AI provides. "What I find most useful is the ability to export plans to Excel, which I then verify with YouTube or other sources to ensure accuracy."

Arora envisions a future where AI is integrated into travel websites. "Imagine visiting your favorite travel site, and it already knows your hotel preferences and travel style. The GPT could then tailor your holiday plan without needing a separate app. Such integration would be fantastic." As AI continues to evolve, it serves as a trusted assistant, complementing human touch where necessary.

Detailed prompts can generate personalized holiday itineraries using GPT. For instance:

1. Adventure and Relaxation Combo Prompt: "Help me plan a [length of trip] itinerary for a holiday in [destination], focusing on a mix of adventurous and relaxing experiences. I’d like to spend about [budget per day or overall budget], and I’m interested in [specific activities like hiking, scuba diving, spa visits, food tours, etc.]. Can you also include recommendations for local restaurants, transportation options, and the best times to visit popular sites to avoid crowds?"

2. Local Culture & Scenic Highlights Prompt: "I want an immersive [length of trip] travel itinerary for [destination] that helps me experience the local culture, history, and scenic highlights. Could you provide suggestions for must-see cultural spots, stunning natural landscapes, and iconic viewpoints? I’m also interested in trying traditional foods, so please include any local dining recommendations and tips on etiquette or customs I should know."

3. Family-Friendly Adventure Prompt: "Could you help me create a [length of trip] family-friendly itinerary for [destination]? Our group includes [ages of travellers], and we’d like a good balance of educational and fun activities. Please include both indoor and outdoor options, downtime suggestions, and meal recommendations with kid-friendly and local cuisine options. Also, any safety tips or family-friendly transport options would be helpful."

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