This comment, by Tammy Pretorius, was posted on our story ChatGPT shifts travel bookings to OTAs.
From a tour operator's point of view, this shift just confirms what we deal with daily. AI is great for ideas but it doesn't replace real-world expertise or accountability. We'll always be the main point of contact because we don't just plan trips, we manage the entire journey and step in when things don't go to plan.
A few months ago, we received a request where it was pretty obvious the itinerary had been put together using ChatGPT. It looked detailed at first glance, but when you actually worked through it, it just didn't make sense – unrealistic travel times, a zig-zag route that ignored geography, and no consideration for how travel actually works on the ground. It was essentially a case of too much information without proper thought behind it.
We went back to the client with a more realistic, workable itinerary, but never heard back, which says a lot. People are drawn to the speed and volume of AI, but without the practical knowledge it often falls apart. That's exactly where we come in – making sure trips are not just exciting on paper but actually doable, seamless, and properly supported from start to finish.
