Article Highlights:

  • 22% of travelers have used Generative AI for trip planning, led by women and international travelers.
  • 93% of all respondents said they are likely to use AI for future travel planning.
  • Only 22% are open to using Agentic AI for autonomous booking or decision-making.
  • 79% feel uncomfortable allowing AI to book or manage trips without approval.
  • 38% of travelers welcome AI that saves money through discounts and optimized deals.

 

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a trusted co-pilot for travelers, though not yet the pilot itself. According to the Global Rescue Fall 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, international travelers and women are leading the adoption of generative AI for travel research, itinerary planning and inspiration.

More than one in five travelers (22%) said they have already used generative AI to plan a trip, with usage higher among non-US respondents (30%) and women (24%) than among US travelers (20%) and men (22%). Seventy-three percent, however, have yet to use AI at all, indicating that while adoption is growing, it’s still in its early stages among the global traveling public.

“The data suggest that international travelers are leading the way in adopting generative AI for travel, using it to overcome logistical, linguistic and informational barriers,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “AI is proving its value for travelers who want smarter, faster and more personalized trip planning.”

 

Generative AI’s Appeal: Inspiration and Efficiency

Among those who’ve tried generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are being used primarily for itinerary planning (73%) and general research (67%). Travelers turn to AI to explore new destinations, identify must-see attractions and streamline early trip stages that traditionally take hours of browsing.

International travelers stand out in how they use AI: they rely on it more for flights (45%), visa guidance (26%) and language translation (21%), reflecting a practical, problem-solving mindset in international travel. By contrast, US travelers use AI more often to refine experiences, such as finding lodging (32%) and restaurants (37%) once destinations are chosen.

Women tend to use AI across a broader range of travel needs, particularly for itineraries (74%) and research (68%), while men are slightly more likely to say AI tools are “useful” and that they’ll use them again.

 

The Trust Factor: Growing Satisfaction with AI

Despite early skepticism about AI accuracy and reliability, travelers who’ve tried it report overwhelming satisfaction. Nearly 80% of respondents rated AI tools as “very” or “mostly useful,” and more than 85% of both men and women said the tools added measurable value to their planning.

Women and international travelers were especially positive, with 89% of women and 87% of non-US respondents describing AI as helpful. Reports of errors or irrelevant results were minimal, suggesting that once travelers experience AI’s benefits, they’re likely to continue using it.

Looking forward, enthusiasm is widespread. A remarkable 93% of travelers said they are “likely or very likely” to use AI for their next trip, near-universal optimism across all demographics.

“These findings show that travelers who have tried AI overwhelmingly see its benefits,” Richards said. “As tools become more capable and trusted, AI will likely become a standard part of trip planning worldwide.”

 

Agentic AI: Curiosity Meets Caution

When it comes to Agentic AI — autonomous systems that can plan, book and manage travel without human approval — enthusiasm drops sharply.

When asked if they would let Agentic AI plan their next international trip, just 22% of respondents said yes. Men (24%) were slightly more open than women (19%) and US travelers (23%) were marginally more willing than non-US respondents (20%).

While Generative AI thrives as a brainstorming partner, Agentic AI represents a different kind of trust test, one that travelers are not yet ready to take.

Only 18% of travelers had heard of Agentic AI before the survey and fewer than one in five (20%) said they would be comfortable letting it design an entire trip itinerary autonomously. Acceptance dropped even further when it came to booking flights or hotels without approval: 79% said they’d feel uncomfortable and 83% of women expressed concern about surrendering control.

 

Where Agentic AI Gains Ground

There is, however, one domain where travelers are more open to AI autonomy: cost savings. About 38% of respondents said they would be comfortable allowing AI to automatically apply promo codes, search for discounts or rebook flights for better deals.

Men (40%) and US travelers (39%) were slightly more receptive than women (38%) and international respondents (35%), but overall, this marks the area of strongest trust in AI.

“Travelers may welcome AI tools that save them money, but they’re not yet ready to let those tools make major decisions on their behalf,” Richards said. “There’s a clear boundary between curiosity and control.”

That boundary has implications for the future of AI in travel security and risk management. As AI continues to learn, travelers’ willingness to trust it with logistics, safety and personal data will evolve. But for now, most still want a human in the loop, especially when it comes to trip insurance, itinerary flexibility and crisis response.

 

Why AI Adoption Matters for Global Mobility

AI’s growing presence in travel isn’t just about convenience. It’s reshaping how travelers think about preparation and security. Tools that aggregate visa data, predict disruptions or recommend safer destinations could play vital roles in travel security. Yet the same systems can also raise new concerns about accuracy, bias and accountability.

For international travelers, trust in AI will depend on proven reliability, data transparency and ethical safeguards, especially when managing high-stakes travel decisions like emergency evacuation, border entry or medical assistance.

Generative AI may help plan the perfect trip, but when a real emergency arises abroad, travelers need more than an algorithm. They need trained professionals ready to act.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

The Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals a fascinating paradox: travelers are embracing AI for travel, but only up to the point where it enhances convenience, not control. They trust AI to inspire, inform and even save money. But when it comes to critical decisions, they still rely on human expertise and real-world protection.

That’s where Global Rescue comes in. A Global Rescue membership delivers the confidence that no algorithm can replace, providing field rescue, medical evacuation, medical advisory and security extraction services anywhere in the world. Whether a traveler faces a medical emergency in the Alps, political unrest in a foreign capital or logistical chaos after a canceled flight, Global Rescue provides real-time human intervention, not automated predictions.

As Generative AI and Agentic AI continue to shape the way we explore the world, one truth remains constant: technology can enhance travel, but safety, security and expert response will always require a human touch.

For travelers eager to explore confidently in the age of AI, Global Rescue ensures peace of mind, powered by people, backed by experience and ready when it matters most.