Travellers Using Artificial Intelligence for Trip Planning

Longwoods International is reporting that 14% of American travellers have already used ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot tool, for trip planning.

In its latest tracking study, Longwoods International found that in April, 32% of American travellers reported that they planned to use Chat GPT for trip planning in the next six months.

Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International, observed that: “The travel industry has always been an early adopter when it comes to technology and innovation.”

Eylon continued: “That was true with the early adoption of computers for reservation systems, as well as providing travel information and bookings from the beginning days of the internet and later social media.”

The survey also demonstrated travellers’ uneasiness with the state of the economy, with 51% of them reporting that inflation is impacting their decision to travel in the next six months.

As far as coping with their personal financial situations, 32% of travellers are reducing spending on entertainment and recreation, 31% are reducing their retail spending, and 27% are reducing the number of trips they are taking.

Other key findings include:

• ChatGPT is seeing a rapid adaptation rate as a travel planning tool with already 14% of American travellers reporting having used it in their recent trip planning. Back in April, about a third of American travellers told Longwoods International that they are likely to use ChatGPT in planning their next trip.  This is a considerably quick adaptation rate for a tool most have never heard of before six months ago. In fact, 30% of travellers still confess to not knowing what ChatGPT even is.
• We are finally seeing some slight post-pandemic improvement in customer service with 22% of American travellers now reporting they experienced a lower level of service than before the pandemic (down 5 points since January) and 57% receiving the same level of service (up four points since January), however those reporting a higher level of service remains basically unchanged at 21%.
• That being said, traveller expectations are on the rise as 28% now report expecting a higher level of service on their next trip than before the pandemic (up 5 points since January). This means the travel industry still has a lot of work to do to meet and/or exceed customer expectations.
• Demand appears to have inched back up a little so still holding steady with 91% having plans in the next six months, despite economic concerns among travellers.
• Key economic sentiment indicators remain relatively unchanged with around one quarter of travellers saying those factors will greatly impact their travel decisions in the next six months. As for flying, rising airfares (34%) and risks of delays/cancellations (25%) top the list of reasons that reduce the likelihood of travellers flying commercial airlines the remainder of this year.

Go to https://longwoods-intl.com/covid-19 for more.