Planning a holiday can be stressful — that’s where travel agents come in.
But now, travelers have another option: chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard AI and Microsoft Bing. Simply input a prompt and watch the travel recommendations pour in. The best parts? It’s instantaneous and, for the most part, free.
But which is better when it comes to planning vacations?
Intrepid Travel, a small group travel agency, accepted CNBC Travel’s request to find out.
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CNBC asked both sides to plan a two-day trip for four friends, all in their mid-20s, to Melbourne, Australia.
Here’s how they fared.
Where to stay in Melbourne
The ask: Recommend three places to stay in Melbourne that have a pool and gym, are near Swanston Street, and that are priced less than $500 a night.
Right off the bat, there was a rather glaring error with ChatGPT: All three recommendations were no longer in service. If that wasn’t enough, some of the places lacked both a pool and a gym, and one was over the budget.
Intrepid Travel, on the other hand, provided options that came with either a pool or a gym, or both. The company also recognized that those amenities were not necessities but additional benefits.
The winner: Intrepid Travel
Where to eat
The ask: Provide dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and post-dinner drinks for two days.
Again, ChatGPT struggled. The suggested restaurant on the first day, a place called Fatto Bar & Cantina, had been closed for years.
Apart from that, a quick Google search of the other places showed that they were (thankfully) still in operation. Those were, to me, on the safer end, with suggested spots appearing on several
Which is better – ChatGPT or a travel agent? – NBC Boston
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