TLDR: A new survey by Qlik indicates that generative AI tools are significantly influencing summer travel trends, helping vacationers discover new destinations, save time and money, and manage real-time logistics, despite only 10% of travelers currently utilizing these tools.
Philadelphia, PA – August 5, 2025 – Qlik®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), has released new survey findings that highlight the growing impact of generative AI on summer travel. The survey reveals that while only 10% of travelers leveraged AI tools for their summer trip planning this year, the technology is rapidly emerging as an essential companion for vacationers.
The findings underscore AI’s role in enhancing the travel experience, enabling consumers to discover novel destinations, optimize their budgets, and navigate unforeseen disruptions in real time. A significant majority of travelers, 62%, expressed trust in AI recommendations, with a notable 23% completely trusting the technology to book their summer trips without requiring additional research. Furthermore, an overwhelming 92% of respondents reported that AI-planned elements of their trips either met or exceeded their expectations.
Demographically, younger adults are at the forefront of this adoption, with individuals aged 25–34 being nearly seven times more likely to use AI for travel planning compared to those aged 55 and older (16% vs. 2%). The survey also noted a gender disparity, with men more than twice as likely as women to utilize AI for vacation planning (14% vs. 6%).
Generative AI offers tangible benefits to users. Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) of respondents who used AI for trip planning discovered new destinations they would not have found otherwise. On average, travelers saved close to 7 hours in planning time, with 59% reporting time savings between 5 and 10 hours. Financially, approximately 1 in 5 (19%) travelers saved money, and the majority (64%) successfully stayed within their budget when using AI.
Beyond initial planning, AI is proving invaluable for real-time travel management. More than a third (38%) of respondents found AI features most helpful for identifying real-time travel updates concerning traffic, weather, and other delays. Travelers also utilized AI for restaurant recommendations (36%), uncovering hidden attractions or local spots (35%), planning general itineraries (29%), and optimizing travel budgets (32%).
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As one expert noted, “For today’s travelers, the role of AI in planning goes beyond just convenience. It is unlocking new experiences, while also helping consumers save time and money.” These insights from Qlik’s survey paint a clear picture of generative AI’s transformative potential in the travel industry, suggesting a future where AI-powered tools become an indispensable part of vacation planning and execution.
