AI can book a flight faster than you can say “departure gate changed,” but when it comes to the art of travel planning, speed isn’t everything. Sure, your friendly chatbot can spit out flight options, recommend hotels with five-star reviews, and even predict what you might enjoy — but can it detect the subtle sigh that means you’re secretly dreading another big city?
Can it tell you rather than doing three nights there, you only need two in that city?
Artificial Intelligence has certainly made travel planning slicker. It analyses data, spots trends, and learns faster than your luggage gets lost at Heathrow. It remembers where you went, what you searched for, and which tropical island you ogled online at 2 a.m. But it’s missing something crucial: human intuition.
A travel consultant doesn’t just follow your instructions; they interpret them. When you say “I want a relaxing week away,” AI might suggest a busy resort with great reviews. A human, on the other hand, knows you really mean “I want peace, no buffet queues, and a hammock with my name on it.”
AI can book a trip, but it can’t build a relationship. It doesn’t remember that last time you flew, you swore you’d never sit near the toilets again. It doesn’t know you prefer window seats, hate connecting flights, have lounge access but only with certain conditions. A travel agent, though? They’ve got your quirks saved — not in a database, but in their brain (and maybe a notebook full of scribbles).
And then there’s judgement. AI can process millions of data points, but it can’t read between the lines of your hesitation or excitement. A seasoned consultant can hear the pause when they suggest Bali and sense you’d really rather go to Vietnam. They know when to suggest an upgrade, a shortcut, or a detour that turns a holiday into an adventure.
Can you trust AI? An example image below is a quick search, asking for a New Zealand South Island tour. Dunedin has changed lots since I was last there??
AI is a brilliant tool, but travel is still a human story. At Dave Leary Travel, we combine technology with genuine care — the kind that listens, understands, and personalises every journey. Because behind every great holiday, there’s more than data — there’s a person who cares about getting it just right.
