PHILADELPHIA, PA — Generative AI is reshaping how Americans plan and experience their summer vacations, according to new survey data released by Qlik®. While adoption is still in early stages, the findings point to growing trust and reliance on AI tools for travel-related decision-making—from itinerary planning to managing budgets and real-time logistics.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide, polled over 2,000 working U.S. adults. Although only 10% of respondents used AI tools to plan their 2025 summer trips, a strong majority expressed confidence in the technology. Sixty-two percent said they trust AI-generated travel recommendations, and nearly a quarter (23%) said they would rely solely on AI without doing additional research.
Moreover, the results indicate that AI-assisted travel exceeded expectations for many users. Ninety-two percent said the AI-planned portions of their trips met or surpassed their hopes, and 52% reported they were comfortable sharing personal preferences with AI platforms to enhance trip planning.
Saving Time, Discovering More
Among those who used AI, the technology delivered clear benefits in time and discovery. Nearly four in five users (78%) said they uncovered destinations they wouldn’t have found on their own, and on average, travelers saved about seven hours of planning time. Nearly 60% reported saving between five and ten hours.
Cost-conscious travelers also saw an advantage: one in five saved money, and 64% said they stayed on budget with the help of AI tools.
AI Goes Beyond Planning
Beyond the initial itinerary, travelers are turning to AI for real-time updates and on-the-go decisions. Thirty-eight percent used AI to monitor travel disruptions such as traffic or weather, while others leaned on it for restaurant suggestions (36%) and off-the-beaten-path attractions (35%). A third of respondents (32%) reported using AI to optimize their vacation spending.
Qlik CEO Mike Capone emphasized the broader implications of this shift. “What stands out in this research is how generative AI is helping people make better decisions in the moment and uncover options they might never have considered,” Capone said. “It is a shift in how we explore, plan, and adapt.”
Demographics and Adoption Hotspots
Young adults are driving adoption. People aged 25 to 34 were nearly seven times more likely to use AI for trip planning than those aged 55 and older (16% vs. 2%). Men were more than twice as likely as women to use AI for summer travel (14% vs. 6%).
Regionally, tech-forward cities led the pack. Travelers in San Diego (31%), Austin (21%), and San Francisco (18%) reported the highest rates of AI-assisted trip planning—surpassing even traditional platforms like Expedia or TripAdvisor.
Trust Gap Between Travel and Other Industries
Notably, while AI earns high marks in travel, trust remains limited in other sectors. Only 27% of respondents said they trust AI to provide financial advice, and a mere 13% rely on it for shopping decisions. Travel’s relatively low-stakes and high-reward nature may explain its role as a gateway for broader AI adoption.
As AI tools become more embedded in everyday life, the travel industry’s success may offer a roadmap for how other sectors can build consumer confidence. For now, AI appears to be more than a passing trend—it’s becoming a trusted co-pilot for a new generation of travelers.
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