Limassol, Cyprus. Planning a holiday can involve comparing flights, hotels and restaurants across multiple websites, but artificial-intelligence tools may increasingly handle those tasks over the next decade.
From browser tabs to AI agents
Holiday planning often involves opening numerous browser tabs, repeatedly comparing flight prices and sharing options in group chats where participants may have opinions but do not make the booking.
For travellers in Cyprus, most trips abroad require a flight and an airport departure, limiting spontaneous travel options. Decisions can also include whether an early-morning flight is worthwhile.
By 2036, travellers may be able to ask an AI agent to arrange a short break based on preferences including destination, climate, direct flights, sea views and budget.
The agent could take account of individual preferences, such as avoiding early departures or hotels that do not meet expectations on location and quality. It could search for options, compare them, make reservations and complete payments.
If a flight is cancelled, such systems may also be able to rearrange accommodation, transfers and restaurant reservations before the traveller is aware of the disruption.
New booking tools
AI-based travel planning tools have already begun to enter the market.
In April, European travel group eDreams ODIGEO launched an AI booking tool that turns a standard conversation into a personalised, bookable itinerary.
A month later, Amsterdam-based Booking.com introduced AI tools that allow travellers to search for rental cars through ChatGPT.
