AI travel planning gains traction in Italy and Japan

In Italy, a 2026 guide notes that 90% of travelers have heard of AI‑assisted travel planning, but only 38% have actually used it. Among those users, just a third expect to rely on AI regularly. The guide recommends a layered approach: a general‑purpose chatbot for inspiration, a specialised itinerary tool for detailed planning, and a trusted booking platform for reservations.

A Japan Times‑cited survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance finds that 61% of Japanese respondents aged 20‑50 now use AI to organise holidays. Users employ AI to build day‑by‑day itineraries, locate restaurants, get transport information and optimise travel time. Domestic trips dominate, with 57.6% choosing locations inside Japan, while only 6.4% plan overseas travel, reflecting a weak yen and higher living costs. The average summer holiday budget is projected at about 85,145 yen (≈ 525 EUR), down 18.8% from the previous year.