Going out with... AI

There's no need to hire a tour guide; with just a smartphone, travel enthusiasts can explore every region they want to visit in depth.

Experience the audio-visual features at Banh It Tower - a national heritage site in Quy Nhon. Photo: XH

We typed a command into ChatGPT, requesting a 3-day, 2-night itinerary for a trip to Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), with a reasonable balance between exploration and relaxation. In less than a minute, we had two versions of the Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh tour to choose from, even specifying meal times, rest periods, and unique local culinary destinations.

At each destination, instead of having to ask for directions, the girls from Quang Nam province skillfully use Google Maps. Even for accommodation, Traveloka – a website specializing in travel services – helps them find affordable apartments in Quy Nhon City.

Technology is becoming a true travel companion on every journey. To the point that many young people, instead of inviting someone along for fun, Gen Z chooses to travel with... virtual assistants. Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Booking, Klook, Airbnb, ChatGPT, Revolut, Apple Pay – these are just some of the apps used for directions, destination suggestions, finding cheap tickets, exchanging digital currency, booking restaurants, finding Instagrammable cafes, and more.

Where to go? Ask Google. What to eat? Ask TikTok. When is the best time to go? Check the cherry blossom calendar on Instagram. And if you get lost in the jungle – with a fully charged power bank and a strong 4G connection, you can still survive like a "digital sage" – almost a guide that Gen Z whispers to each other.

A group of female friends from Quang Nam province planned their trip to Quy Nhon using data from AI. Photo: XH

Moreover, for those born in the 90s and 2000s, traveling is sometimes also a way to... make money. Utilizing technology applications, they create engaging media content that generates buzz on social media channels. A journey designed with unique experiences brings a range of emotions, from overwhelming joy at how perfectly it matches their expectations to disappointment at being overly trusting of advertisements. But all of this will fuel their desire for further exploration .

During our trip to Quy Nhon, my friends absolutely refused to trust Google when I asked them about good restaurants. This was probably because the culinary tastes of people from this coastal region are different from those in Quang Nam, or perhaps the restaurants were busy with festivals and hadn't had time to prepare properly.

Following the trend of leveraging technology in travel, many destinations are also using AI to enhance the visitor experience. In Singapore, the National Tourism Board has collaborated with researchers to develop a travel guide based on visitors' emotions, using brainwave measurement technology. This research helps create personalized itineraries based on visitors' emotional responses to various activities.

Vietnam is also a country that is quick to embrace artificial intelligence (AI). Currently, Da Nang City has deployed the Danang Fantasticity Chatbot – an automated tourism information support channel via text message. This application provides information about destinations, events, weather, and many other services, helping tourists easily access the necessary information.

Of course, AI only serves to assist travelers with its modern features, enhancing the experience with a diverse database. But each place evokes different emotions through different perspectives...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/di-choi-cung-ai-3152655.html