Following the Federal Government’s push to position Australia as a global AI leader, one of the first places Aussies could feel the impact is in planning their next holiday.
I would like to offer you written commentary from Ben Whitmore, CMO at East Coast Car Rentals, on why AI could replace Google as the first stop for travel planning, fundamentally changing how Aussies research, book and experience holidays, while creating new challenges for businesses to remain visible in the moments that matter.
Instead of opening dozens of browser tabs, comparing reviews and piecing together itineraries, more travellers are simply asking AI to do it for them. But as travellers hand more decision-making over to AI, businesses will need to consider what happens if they don’t appear in these AI-driven recommendations.
While AI can make holiday planning easier, recent advice from DFAT reinforces the importance of verifying official travel advice, entry requirements and safety information before departure, ensuring travellers balance convenience with confidence.
Ben Whitmore, CMO at East Coast Car Rentals, says, “For years, planning a holiday meant jumping between search engines, review sites and maps. AI is bringing all of that into one conversation. The opportunity isn’t just making travel planning faster, it’s making it smarter. But for businesses, the challenge will be ensuring they’re visible and providing trustworthy, high-quality information, because in an AI-first world, consumers won’t just search for brands, they’ll ask AI who they should choose.”
Ben is available to discuss:
-
Why AI is already replacing Google as Australia’s go-to holiday planning tool.
-
Can Aussies trust AI to plan their holidays, and where should they still rely on human judgement?
-
What happens when AI becomes the gatekeeper to holiday bookings?
