So You Booked Your Holiday with AI… Now What Happens When Things Go Wrong?
AI in travel and tourism, including AI travel apps and online booking platforms, promises speed, convenience, and smart planning. It’s tempting to think a human travel agent is no longer necessary. But what happens when reality interrupts your perfectly planned itinerary?
Missed connections, cancelled flights, sudden weather changes, or last-minute accommodation issues—these are real-world travel problems that no AI can fully manage.
Why AI Travel Apps Can’t Handle Real-Life Travel Emergencies
AI in travel and tourism can analyze data, suggest flights, and compare hotels, but it cannot replace the problem-solving skills and flexibility required in real-life travel scenarios.
Mladen Lukic, GM of Travel Counsellors South Africa, explains:
“Travel agents deal with inconsistencies and emergencies that arise on the ground. Most of an agent’s work involves solving problems that are completely unpredictable—something AI simply can’t do.”
Whether it’s a missed flight, a rerouted family due to a sudden storm, or an overbooked hotel, human judgment, experience, and industry connections are crucial.
Travel Agents: Your Real-Time Travel Lifeline
A skilled travel agent offers more than booking flights or hotels. They bring:
- Decades of experience handling thousands of travel scenarios
- Reliable industry networks to find fast solutions
- Expertise in risk management to protect your money and plans
- Flexibility and creativity to handle unexpected changes
Aadil Esack, GM of Product & Marketing at XL Travel, adds:
“Agents ensure that clients can rest assured that their trip will continue smoothly, even when things go wrong.”
The Human Touch vs. Automated Booking
While AI travel platforms are great for simple, predictable trips, human agents shine when complexity arises. They handle:
- Rebooking after cancelled flights
- Adjusting itineraries for sudden weather disruptions
- Coordinating multi-destination trips with tight connections
- Navigating travel restrictions and local regulations
No AI can negotiate a hotel upgrade after a booking error or call multiple airlines to reroute a family in one day. That’s where travel agents truly excel.
Why Travel Agents Are More Important Than Ever
Contrary to popular belief, travel agents are not becoming obsolete—they are evolving. Skilled agents combine technology with human judgment to ensure seamless trips.
Herman Heunes, GM of Corporate Traveller, says:
“The biggest risk to the travel industry isn’t AI—it’s the lack of skilled human agents who can navigate real-world travel challenges.”
A travel agent is more than a booking tool—they are problem-solvers, advisors, and peace-of-mind providers, ensuring your holiday stays on track when life happens.
Bottom Line: Travel Agents Are Irreplaceable
Before booking your holiday entirely through AI, ask yourself: if the unexpected occurs, who will fix it?
With a professional travel agent, you get real-time solutions, trusted expertise, and reassurance that your travel plans are in safe hands.
Don’t just book your holiday—book it with someone who can manage the unpredictability of travel.
Contact Scenic Escapes
Ready to travel with confidence? Scenic Escapes can plan, book, and manage your trips from start to finish. Reach out today:
Phone: 071 599 7569 (Carina) / 082 490 3552 (Landi)
Email: info@scenicescapes.co.za
Website: www.scenicescapes.co.za
