AI Travel Planning Tools Create Dangerous ‘Hallucinations’ for Travellers

Artificial intelligence travel planning tools are increasingly directing tourists to non-existent destinations and providing dangerous misinformation, according to new research highlighting the risks of AI-generated travel advice. A survey reveals that 30% of international travellers now use generative AI tools like ChatGPT for trip planning, but 33% report receiving false information.

Context and Background

Miguel Angel Gongora Meza, founder of Evolution Treks Peru, discovered tourists following AI-generated directions to the fictional “Sacred Canyon of Humantay” after paying £118 to reach a remote Peruvian location. The AI had combined real place names to create a non-existent destination, leaving the travellers stranded without a guide at dangerous altitude.

According to Carnegie Mellon University’s Professor Rayid Ghani, these “hallucinations” occur because AI tools like ChatGPT don’t distinguish between factual information and creative combinations of words. The systems analyse text patterns to generate responses that sound realistic but may be entirely fabricated.

Recent examples include AI directing travellers to an imaginary Eiffel Tower in Beijing and creating impossible marathon routes across northern Italy. A 2024 survey found that 37% of AI-assisted travellers received insufficient information, whilst 33% encountered false recommendations that could compromise safety or waste significant money.

Looking Forward

Travel industry experts warn that AI misinformation extends beyond inconvenience to genuine safety concerns, particularly in challenging terrains where elevation, weather, and accessibility require precise planning. The proliferation of AI-generated travel content, including fake promotional videos on social media platforms, is blurring the lines between reality and artificial suggestions.

Licensed clinical psychotherapist Javier Labourt suggests that whilst AI tools offer convenience, travellers should verify all recommendations independently and maintain adaptability when plans inevitably change. Experts recommend being highly specific in AI queries and double-checking any suggestions that seem unusually perfect or detailed.

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