If you’ve asked ChatGPT where to stay in Plett, how much to budget for a week in Paris, or the best place to swim with turtles in Mauritius, you’re not alone. According to Flight Centre’s Global PR survey, 66% of South Africans view AI as a trusted source for advice and information when planning travel.
AI can spit out itineraries, give you quick-hit travel tips, and help narrow down where to go when. It’s like a very enthusiastic intern who’s read every blog post ever written – but still needs a manager to check their work. This is probably why the same survey reported that a staggering 97% of Saffas see some sort of value in using a travel agent to help plan their next trip.
In short, AI lays a solid foundation, but it’s up to a travel expert to fill in the gaps.
“When travellers come to us after trying AI, they’re often surprised by what they didn’t know,” says Sue Garrett, GM of Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa. “We know which ferry routes actually run in October, which hotels have been fully renovated, and which ‘must-see’ attractions are genuinely worth the visit. Local intelligence and practical, hard-earned experience is what turns a theoretical itinerary into a trip that actually works.”
So, if you’re dreaming up travel ideas for 2026, here’s how to use AI to plan your trip – and when you need to call in the experts.
Use AI to brainstorm, not book
AI has imagination, we’ll give it that. The problem? That “tailored” Greek itinerary might include ferry routes that don’t exist, hotels that closed in 2019, and a wine tour that’s actually a goat farm.
Most AI chatbots also rely on data that’s over a year old, which can lead to outdated information like incorrect opening hours, ongoing construction, or whether a place is only open during certain seasons.
“AI is good at synthesising research and helping us work faster,” says Garrett. “But travellers can’t rely on it for detail. Accuracy, reliability, and tailoring a trip to personal needs still comes from working with an experienced advisor.”
AI requires very specific prompting
If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT to plan a trip, you know it’s a bit like making a wish to a genie – the magic only works if you word it just right. The catch? Most travellers have no clue what to wish for.
What’s more, AI doesn’t understand your specific needs and preferences: that you hate long layovers, your sister has severe motion sickness, and you once had a small breakdown over an Airbnb with no curtains.
A traveller advisor will ask the right questions and factor in your specific needs, including travel insurance, visas, layovers, luggage, dietary requirements and even medical needs (for example, travelling with insulin).
Real world problems need real world people
Here’s where things get serious. Your flight’s been cancelled. You’re stuck at OR Tambo at 5am with no plan B and no idea when the next flight out is. An AI chatbot can suggest alternatives, but it can’t make the calls, pull the strings, or know which airline owes you a favour.
When it all hits the fan – whether that’s sudden illness, lost passports or surprise strikes – your AI travel assistant will provide information, but it won’t provide solutions.
Travel advisors, on the other hand, answer their phones. They’ve got local contacts, real-time updates, and enough muscle memory to rebook your trip while you’re still trying to find a power plug.
“A crisis is where human judgement matters most,” says Garrett. “AI can’t provide reassurance, make fast calls, or think emotionally. It doesn’t know when a client needs calming down or rerouting.”
AI doesn’t know what “4-star” means to a Saffa
A European “4-star” hotel can sometimes feel more basic than many South Africans expect – smaller rooms, minimal breakfast options, compact bathrooms. South Africans are accustomed to generous space, full breakfast spreads, and higher service standards at comparable star ratings.
“AI doesn’t understand the nuances,” says Garrett. “A 4-star hotel in Europe can feel smaller and more basic than a 3-star in Joburg. That’s important context for South Africans who’ve been spoiled by space and service.”
You can’t negotiate with ChatGPT
One of the most persistent myths about chatbots is that AI can find you the best deals.
It’ll give you rough estimates scraped from booking platforms. But it won’t know who to talk to for a room upgrade or honour your price if the exchange rate dips.
“People forget travel advisors still get you a lot of extras,” says Garrett. “We’re not just booking a hotel – we’re adding value. And we know which rooms are worth the rate.”
So how should you use AI?
Think of AI like enjoying a coffee with a mildly helpful friend. It’ll throw out suggestions – but it probably won’t nail the final plan.
Use AI tools to:
- Get a basic idea of where to go
- Research activities or general visa info (but always confirm latest visa requirements directly with the embassy or your travel advisor)
- Calculate distances and travel times
- Structure your wishlist into a bare bones draft itinerary
Don’t use AI to:
- Book accommodation or flights
- Plan travel logistics like transfers and ferry schedules
- Navigate special needs or real-time emergencies
- Compare the actual value of a deal, not just price
- Discover the off-the-radar experiences that make a trip unforgettable
The bottom line?
AI is useful for generating ideas, yes. It can introduce you to destinations you might never have thought of (hello, underrated Slovenia). But the moment you try to turn those ideas into real-world plans? You need an actual person, not 17 tabs’ worth of “maybe”.
There’s no substitute for local insight, human backup, and on-the-ground experience. Let AI help you brainstorm. Then run your shortlist by someone who’s been there, booked that – and still has the WhatsApp number of that hotel GM in Positano.
As Sue Garrett puts it: “AI is here to help, not replace. Use it to level up your trip but never forget the value of real-life expertise.”