AI-driven travel planning and safety risks

A KAYAK survey released in late July 2026 showed that 73 % of Spanish travelers spend more than an hour comparing trip details and are increasingly willing to spend more when AI‑powered tools help optimise budgets. The company highlighted its conversational AI as a way to streamline this detailed research.

Follow‑up data from the same study on 25 July indicated that 41 % act as “super comparators”, evaluating price, schedule, luggage allowances and cancellation policies, while only 3 % travel without any prior comparison. Safety and flexibility have risen in importance, with 39 % prioritising secure routes and 32 % seeking free‑change options. Nearly half plan to spend more on summer holidays than the previous year, and 48 % expect to allocate over €1,000 per person, especially younger travelers (58 % of 18‑24‑year‑olds intend to increase their budget).

KAYAK’s European commercial director, Natalia Díez‑Rivas, described Spanish travelers as eager, demanding and strategic.

A separate study of experienced tourists—mainly from Iran—found notable scepticism toward generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for planning trips to Spain, citing concerns about accuracy, timeliness and potential financial or emotional risks, and a preference for traditional research and personal advice.

An Airbnb‑Ipsos survey of Colombian consumers revealed growing vulnerability to AI‑generated property photos and online‑booking fraud. About 65 % could not distinguish AI‑created images from real ones, and roughly 70 % look for ways to save on upcoming trips, with half willing to accept bank‑transfer payments despite higher risk. Airbnb urges travelers to avoid unexpected links, use only the official platform for communication and payments, and never send money directly to hosts, aiming to curb sophisticated digital scams that exploit AI imagery.