Shaping the Future of Travel: How Gen Z is Using AI to Plan, Explore, and Experience

A new report on artificial intelligence (AI) from Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online travel platforms, has shed light on how this technology is reshaping the travel industry through the behavior of Gen Z. This generation, who grew up with technology as an essential part of their daily lives, not only uses AI to plan but also applies it in every stage of their journey, showing a high level of technology integration and shaping the development of the industry.

Vietnamese tourists experience the culture in Lien village ( Lao Cai ). Photo: nhandan.vn

Research shows that 85% of Gen Z describe themselves as “familiar” with AI technology, while 20% say they understand how AI works, and the remaining 65% understand the basic concepts. This deep familiarity and trust leads them to view AI not just as a tool but as an indispensable companion on their travels.

AI has become an integral part of Gen Z's daily lives. A survey by Booking.com shows that Gen Z interacts with AI tools multiple times a day, for both work and entertainment.

Specifically: 75% use AI-powered search engines daily; 66% use AI-generated tools like ChatGPT or Google Bard daily; 59% rely on AI-powered recommendation tools on streaming platforms like Netflix or Spotify; and 70% interact with smart devices (security cameras, thermostats, facial recognition) daily.

Additionally, 48% use AI to track their health, 43% receive smart shopping suggestions, and 37% use AI to find restaurant recommendations. Since AI has become a part of everyday choices, it's not surprising that 44% of Gen Z use AI to find travel inspiration and assist with booking trips.

For Gen Z, AI is an integral part of the entire travel experience. This proficiency is evident in how they utilize AI at every stage of their trip:

Before the trip: Almost all Gen Z (99%) use AI for preparation, from receiving personalized suggestions (42%) to researching new destinations and the ideal time to travel (40%). During the trip: 99% also proficiently use AI on-site to translate languages, signs, menus, or local conversations (53%), and receive interesting information about attractions (47%). After the trip: 96% continue to use AI after returning, mainly to receive personalized suggestions for future trips (49%) or write reviews (46%).

Similarly, 99% of tech-savvy Gen Z want AI to assist them in planning new trips, from researching destinations (42%), suggesting local experiences (40%) to recommending suitable restaurants (38%).

These results show that Gen Z is both open to technological advancements and discerning in their application. For the tourism industry, this sends a clear message: AI needs to be developed in a practical and accessible way, while ensuring convenience, ease of use, and comprehensiveness – factors that Gen Z values ​​most.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/dinh-hinh-tuong-lai-cua-nganh-du-lich-gen-z-dang-su-dung-ai-de-lap-ke-hoach-kham-pha-va-trai-nghiem-nhu-the-nao-390955.html