Artificial intelligence (AI) is positioned as a supportive tool in travel planning according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. The survey, which collected insights from over 1,400 participants, found that while 36% of travelers express intent to use AI for inspiration or refining travel options, a majority still prefer the guidance of human judgment over tech.

Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, remarked, “Travelers are interested in AI but they are not ready to hand over control.” The survey also revealed gender differences, showing that 25% of male respondents are likely to utilize AI for decision-making assistance compared to 19% of females. In contrast, 36% of women reported they would rather not use AI, just slightly more than the 35% of men who feel the same.

Geographic nuances were evident too, with both US and non-US travelers showing a 37% inclination to avoid AI entirely. However, a clearer preference for human recommendations was noted among non-US travelers, with 31% favoring this approach versus only 22% of their US counterparts. Additionally, 24% of US travelers indicated a willingness to use AI to narrow down travel choices, more than double the 11% of non-US travelers.

The data points to a lack of trust in AI-generated destination recommendations, as 41% of respondents are unlikely to visit places suggested by AI without independent validation. According to Richards, “AI may introduce travelers to new ideas, but it rarely closes the deal without human confirmation.”

As AI technology increasingly shapes the landscape of travel discovery, it continues to play a supplementary role, facilitating informed decisions without overshadowing human intuition.