PHILADELPHIA, PA — Artificial intelligence has become the leading tool Americans use to plan summer vacations, surpassing traditional travel websites as consumers increasingly rely on AI to personalize trips, control costs and simplify travel planning, according to a new survey released by Qlik.
The survey found 58% of respondents are using AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude to plan summer travel, compared with 55% who rely on traditional travel websites. The findings are based on a survey of 2,001 U.S. adults planning a summer trip.
The shift reflects growing consumer confidence in AI as travelers seek faster, more personalized recommendations while navigating rising travel costs and increasingly complex itineraries.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) indicated they trust AI-generated travel recommendations to some degree, while 17% said they would book travel based solely on AI’s recommendations. Another 35% reported they plan to use AI for future travel planning.
James Fisher, Qlik’s chief strategy officer, said consumers are becoming more comfortable using AI to make travel decisions.
“We’re seeing a broader shift in consumer behavior as travelers increasingly trust AI to navigate planning decisions, personalize experiences, and manage their travel budgets,” Fisher stated. “Travelers want personalized, relevant guidance they can trust, which makes accurate, timely and transparent data more critical than ever.”
The survey found AI is also reducing planning anxiety. Forty-one percent of respondents reported AI helps them feel more organized before traveling, while 32% said it reduces the stress of planning and another 32% reported greater confidence exploring unfamiliar destinations.
Respondents also cited financial benefits. Among AI users, 41% said the technology helped them stay within budget, 33% spent less than expected on travel bookings and activities, 28% identified lower-cost transportation options and 26% reduced fuel expenses.
Consumers appear increasingly willing to exchange personal information for customized recommendations. Fifty-six percent said they would share data with AI travel tools in return for more personalized itineraries and real-time assistance, with Gen Z (66%) and Millennials (63%) expressing the highest levels of comfort.
Despite increasing adoption, respondents continued to report concerns about AI-generated travel advice. Twenty-five percent cited inaccurate or outdated information as their biggest frustration, another 25% pointed to generic recommendations, 24% expressed privacy concerns and 22% questioned whether recommendations were influenced by paid sponsorships. Eighteen percent reported encountering AI hallucinations, while 15% said AI-generated mistakes had significantly disrupted previous travel plans.
The survey was conducted by Censuswide between June 5 and June 9, 2026, among 2,001 U.S. adults age 18 and older who plan to travel during the summer.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.