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Since ChatGPT launched, it has gone from strength to strength, changing how humans interact with AI technology due to its ability to assist users with a whole host of queries, not least those related to travel. Travel Expert Guillaume Picard of TourScanner shares more:
And according to statistics, a large percentage of travelers would turn to AI to help them plan trips. But how is it for producing real-world advice that helps tourists tackle global issues like cost-of-living crises?
To test it out, we asked ChatGPT for ‘money-saving hacks for visiting top tourist attractions’ and were supplied with very generic responses, such as ‘get city passes and attraction bundles’, ‘timing is everything’, ‘look for online promotions and discounts’ and ‘consider annual passes’.
However, when we asked it to give us some more unique hacks, some of the answers were more problematic, for example:
ChatGPT said: “Volunteer as a Guide – Some attractions allow visitors to volunteer as temporary guides. In exchange for your time and knowledge, you might receive free admission or special access.”
TourScanner says: “Aside from the obvious issue that you’re likely lacking the knowledge of the attraction and language skills needed, tour guiding often requires specialist skills, licenses or permits, so if you don’t have these, you could land yourself or other tourists in danger.
“Plus, this isn’t exactly what you think of doing when you go on holiday and while it could save you money if the attraction offers such a deal, it could eat up a lot of time out of your trip, which will limit your exploration and enjoyment of the destination.
“To avoid steep costs, visit attractions outside peak times of the day or during the quiet season.”
ChatGPT said: “Trade Skills for Admission – Offer your skills or services in exchange for admission. For example, if you’re a professional photographer, you might offer to take promotional photos for the attraction.”
TourScanner says: “Similarly, this isn’t a feasible way to cut costs on holiday as it will likely prove too time intensive, stressful (remember you’re going away for a holiday!) and limit your time to explore.
“Plus, marching up to customer service desks and offering to work will likely see you laughed out the door or met with a strange look. They’ll likely have jobs covered by local experts who need to earn a living more than you need to save a few bucks.
“If you prefer cheaper, cost-free experiences, check out local tourist information centers to discover hidden gems and lesser-known attractions, or shop around for the best deals using travel comparison sites like TourScanner and book at least a few months in advance.”
ChatGPT said: “Hitchhike or Share Rides – If it’s safe and legal in the area, consider hitchhiking or sharing rides with other tourists to save on transportation costs.”
TourScanner says: “Potentially the most dangerous one of all, this is a major red flag. Accepting rides with strangers poses several risks to personal safety and communication barriers, or cultural differences and unfamiliarity with local customs can make it challenging to assess the intentions and trustworthiness of others.
“Avoid putting yourself in danger by opting for cheaper transportation methods like walking, cycling, or catching a local public bus.”
Ultimately, holidaymakers should take AI recommendations with a pinch of salt. While the technology is fairly advanced, it doesn’t always have the capability to generate accurate responses or pull in the most accurate sources from the web. This is likely to continue to evolve over the next few years, with advancements in natural language processing and machine learning, as well as plugins that have the ability to filter reliable sources.
As it stands, ChatGPT can offer travelers some insight, but some of the advice could land you in danger and it’s clear that it lacks the real-life knowledge that humans, particularly travel experts, have.
To combat inaccuracies or ‘hallucinations’, travel experts should work alongside bots to streamline and improve their products and services.
For example, some travel companies have even been integrating ChatGPT into their websites or apps to help with trip planning, recommendations on where to visit or stay, how to get around, and the best time to book.
However, these advancements required intensive beta-testing and human intervention to ensure that all recommendations are accurate and appropriate so that travelers have the best and safest trip possible.
So, think twice before solely putting all your faith in AI when planning your trips, and remember to always seek out real-life human travel experts for the best advice.
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