A new global survey from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals a surprising disconnect in AI travel adoption: only 28 per cent of travellers currently use the tech to plan their journeys, but a staggering 96 per cent of those who do report high satisfaction. With 84 per cent planning to use it again, the results suggest a powerful undercurrent of trust once AI is adopted, hinting at a future tipping point for AI-based travel services.
The research, conducted in partnership with Toluna and based on responses from 3,000 individuals across 15 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, and China, found that while AI tools are widely used for general research (72 per cent) and work (45 per cent), their application in travel planning remains limited.
Among those who do turn to AI for trip preparation, satisfaction is nearly universal. Of those surveyed, 44 per cent rated the AI-assisted experience as “perfect,” and 52 per cent called it “good.” Despite low adoption, these high approval ratings may signal AI’s latent potential to reshape how consumers research and book travel experiences.
Kaspersky’s findings show that research remains the most trusted function for AI in travel. Among AI-travel users, 70 per cent employed it to discover events, excursions, and sightseeing routes.
Also Read: Agentic AI, urban mobility & smart tourism: 2025’s travel investment hotspots
Others used it to find accommodations (66 per cent), restaurants (60 per cent), and flights (58 per cent). Families with children were more likely to lean on AI for help across all these categories, highlighting AI’s time-saving benefits for more complex travel logistics.
However, when it comes to bookings, the numbers dip: 45 per cent booked hotels via AI, 43 per cent booked tickets, and only 38 per cent booked restaurants. Visa advice from AI saw notable use (45 per cent) though Kaspersky cautions against relying solely on AI for critical, legally sensitive matters such as immigration, citing real-world mishaps such as incorrect visa advice from AI chatbots.
Kaspersky advises travellers to double-check AI-sourced information, avoid booking on unverified sites, and maintain cybersecurity hygiene, especially when using public Wi-Fi or mobile data abroad.
“Respondents all value their time and prefer the personalised outputs that AI provides,” said Vladislav Tushkanov, Group Manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Centre.
“AI is maturing and rapidly delivering on its promise of better research and creative ideas, but we must remember that the decision is still ours to make”.
—
Image Credit: Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash
The post AI remains a travel underdog, but satisfaction soars among early adopters: Kaspersky appeared first on e27.