How AI is Shaping Vacation Planning for Young Americans

What’s next for AI in travel planning?

Recent studies indicate that younger Americans are increasingly depending on AI, like ChatGPT, to help create their vacation itineraries.

A survey conducted by Talker Research, encompassing 2,000 Americans across generations, revealed that only 29% of millennials have never utilized AI for travel planning. In contrast, this figure rises to 33% among Gen Z.

This stands in stark contrast to older generations, with seven out of ten baby boomers reporting they have never used AI in their travel planning.

How exactly do they utilize AI? The findings from Talker Research’s latest travel trends report are quite intriguing.

One of the main uses of AI is for comparing flight prices, which is something many people turn to. Interestingly, around 29% of respondents also asked AI for travel destination suggestions.

Moreover, one in five individuals even allows AI to develop comprehensive plans for their entire trips.

While word of mouth and personal recommendations have long been the staple for discovering appealing travel spots, new competitors are emerging based on research.

YouTube has claimed the top spot for travel inspiration, with 34% of participants citing it as a resource, surpassing family recommendations at 30% and friends at 28%.

Generational differences are evident here; younger individuals tend to rely on social media platforms much more than older generations.

For the entire survey population, YouTube dominated, but Gen Z showed a strong inclination toward TikTok, with 52% using it for travel inspiration compared to just 27% of millennials.

While AI is still in its early stages regarding application in travel, this trend is likely to expand as the technology continues to evolve.

Methodology:

This random double-option survey included 2,000 Americans (500 from each generation: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers) conducted by Talker Research from May 5 to May 8, 2025.