Home

Qlik Survey: Generative AI Tools are Reshaping Summer Travel

AI saved travelers an average of 7 hours when planning their summer vacations

Qlik®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), today released new survey findings revealing how generative AI is emerging as an essential summer travel companion, helping vacationers discover new destinations, save money, and navigate disruptions in real time.

While only 10% of travelers used AI tools to plan their summer trips this year, trust in AI-generated travel recommendations is strong.

  • Most travelers (62%) trust AI recommendations with 23% completely trusting the technology to book their summer trips without the need for additional research to be conducted.
  • An overwhelming majority (92%) said that AI-planned elements of their summer trips at least met, if not exceeded, their expectations.
  • Over half (52%) of travelers are comfortable sharing their preferences and personal details with AI travel tools.

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.

  • Among respondents who used AI to plan their summer trip, nearly 4 in 5 (78%) discovered new destinations they would not have found otherwise.
  • Respondents who used AI saved an average of nearly 7 hours in planning time, and the vast majority reported meaningful time savings, with 59% saving between 5 and 10 hours.
  • Roughly 1 in 5 (19%) travelers saved money, and the majority (64%) stayed on budget when using AI to plan their vacation.

According to Qlik CEO Mike Capone, this growing reliance on AI highlights a fundamental shift in how decisions are being made across both our personal and professional lives. “What stands out in this research is how generative AI is helping people make better decisions in the moment and uncover options they might never have considered. That goes beyond convenience. It is a shift in how we explore, plan, and adapt. When technology can surface new possibilities with context and clarity, it changes expectations. People start to look for that same kind of responsiveness at work, where we enable this kind of in-the-moment discovery at scale, with the clarity and confidence that enterprise decisions demand.”

The modern traveler is also using generative AI to manage real-time logistics and budgets.

  • More than a third (38%) of respondents found AI features most helpful for identifying real-time travel updates about traffic, weather, and other delays.
  • Respondents also used AI to identify restaurant recommendations (36%) and uncover hidden attractions or local spots (35%).
  • In addition to helping plan general itineraries (29%), nearly one-third (32%) of respondents utilized AI features to optimize their travel budgets.

AI Adoption hotspots reveal a new AI-powered traveler.

  • Younger adults are leading the charge, with 25–34-year-olds nearly seven times more likely to use AI for travel planning than those aged 55 and older (16% vs. 2%).
  • Men are more than twice as likely as women to plan summer vacations with AI (14% vs. 6%).
  • Respondents located in San Diego (31%), Austin (21%), and San Francisco (18%) top the list of cities where AI travel planning is most common, beating the use of traditional travel websites (Expedia, TripAdvisor, Hopper, etc.) and highlighting early adoption in tech-forward regions.

As generative AI becomes part of daily life, the travel sector stands out as a trust leader. While 62% of travelers express confidence in AI-generated recommendations, other industries still face steep trust barriers. Only 27% of consumers trust AI for financial advice, and just 13% trust AI assistants for shopping guidance. These gaps reflect how perceived risk shapes adoption. Travel’s success may serve as a model for building trust in higher-stakes sectors. To learn how your organization can better leverage AI, please visit our website.

Methodology

Censuswide conducted research of 2,001 employed American citizens aged 18+. The data was collected between 23.07.2025-25.07.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

About Qlik

Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio provides advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML, data integration, and analytics. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.

© 2025 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.

Contacts