Planning a holiday can take hours. From finding the right hotel and creating an itinerary to deciding where to eat and figuring out the best route, organising a trip often feels like a task in itself.

But artificial intelligence is changing the way people plan and experience travel. With World Tourism Day being observed on September 27, 2026, and this year's focus highlighting the role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in reshaping tourism, AI is becoming an increasingly useful travel companion.

However, getting the best results depends on how you use it. Here are some practical ways to make AI work for your next trip.

1. Give AI the details it needs

Simply asking an AI tool, "Plan a trip to Jaipur," may give you a generic itinerary.

Instead, provide as much relevant information as possible, including:

• Your travel dates

• Number of days

• Total budget

• Number of travellers

• Type of accommodation you prefer

• Places or activities you enjoy

• Food preferences

• Your preferred pace of travel

For example, instead of asking for a general three-day family itinerary, tell the AI that you want a relaxed schedule with minimal travel between attractions.

The more specific your instructions, the more personalised the suggestions can become.

2. Ask AI to organise your day by location

One of the most useful ways to use AI is to reduce unnecessary travel.

Share your hotel's location and the places you want to visit, then ask the AI to group nearby attractions together. This can help you avoid repeatedly crossing the city and spending hours in traffic.

You can also ask it to create different versions of your itinerary—for example, a packed sightseeing day and a slower day with more time for shopping, food or relaxation.

3. Find a hotel based on your actual needs

Instead of asking AI to find the "best hotel," be specific about what you need.

Mention your:

• Budget per night

• Preferred neighbourhood

• Room requirements

• Distance from public transport

• Parking requirements

• Breakfast preference

• Family or couple-friendly requirements

• Desired amenities

AI can then help you create a shortlist and compare the options based on your priorities.

But don't book solely on an AI recommendation. Always verify the current price, availability, cancellation rules, taxes and recent guest reviews on the actual booking platform or hotel's official website.

4. Discover local food and experiences

AI can also help you go beyond the usual tourist checklist.

Ask it to recommend local dishes, neighbourhood eateries, markets, cultural experiences or lesser-known attractions near your route.

You can even ask questions such as, "What are some quieter places near this popular attraction?" or "Where can I try authentic local food without travelling far from my hotel?"

This can help you discover experiences that may not immediately appear on standard travel lists.

5. Use AI to build backup plans

Travel doesn't always go according to schedule. Flights get delayed, attractions close, rain disrupts outdoor plans and some places may be more crowded than expected.

AI can help you prepare alternatives in advance.

For example, you can ask it to create:

• A rainy-day itinerary

• Indoor alternatives to outdoor attractions

• A backup plan if your flight is delayed

• Budget-friendly alternatives

• A shorter itinerary if you're running late

Having a Plan B can make unexpected changes much less stressful.

6. Don't blindly trust AI

AI can make travel planning much easier, but it isn't always accurate.

Hotel prices change, restaurants may change their timings, attractions can close temporarily and transport schedules can be updated. AI may also provide outdated information or occasionally recommend places that don't exist or no longer operate.

Before leaving, verify important information through official tourism websites, airline or railway websites, hotel pages and transport operators.

The smartest way to use AI while travelling

Think of AI as your travel planning assistant—not your final authority.

Use it to brainstorm destinations, compare options, organise your itinerary, discover experiences and prepare backup plans. But verify important details before spending money or relying on time-sensitive information.

The best travel plan is ultimately a combination of AI's convenience and your own judgement.

The bottom line

AI can take much of the tedious work out of travel planning. The key is to give it detailed information, ask specific questions and use its suggestions as a starting point rather than blindly following them.

This World Tourism Day, let technology handle some of the planning—so you can spend more time actually enjoying the journey.