An Examination of AI in Travel Planning Across Traveler Spending Segments
This study explores how travelers use artificial intelligence (AI) for travel planning across four spending segments: Budget, Premium, Aspirational, and Luxury. Based on a survey of 1,029 U.S. travelers, the analysis shows that AI is most widely used for discovery tasks, particularly identifying activities and attractions. However, adoption varies by segment when AI is used for budgeting or validating travel decisions. Premium and Luxury travelers tend to use AI to quickly evaluate options, Aspirational travelers rely on it for curated hotel recommendations, and Budget travelers use it primarily to identify value. Across all segments, concerns about accuracy, transparency, and generic recommendations continue to limit broader trust and adoption.