AI Travel Planning Surges: What Gulf Tourists Need to Know

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Artificial intelligence has moved from novelty to mainstream travel tool. A new report finds 72% of travellers now rely on AI when planning holidays, and 69% are comfortable letting it book their hotels. Saudi Arabia has joined the UAE, Kuwait, and two other Gulf nations at the centre of this shift.

How Big Is the AI Travel Trend Right Now?

The numbers are striking. Nearly three in four travellers surveyed said AI plays a role in how they plan trips, from choosing destinations to comparing flight options. More tellingly, more than two-thirds are willing to hand over hotel booking decisions to an algorithm entirely.

This is not a fringe behaviour confined to tech-savvy younger travellers. The trend cuts across age groups and markets, with Gulf consumers emerging as some of the most enthusiastic adopters globally.

Which Gulf Countries Are Leading the Shift?

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait are among the markets specifically highlighted in the findings. All three countries have large populations of digitally connected, frequent travellers who already conduct much of their daily commerce through apps and online platforms.

The UAE in particular has spent years positioning itself as a technology-forward society, and that culture appears to extend to how residents plan their next vacation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism push, which is driving millions of new visitors into the Kingdom, adds another dimension: both outbound Saudi travellers and the platforms courting inbound tourists have strong incentives to embrace AI-driven discovery and booking tools.

Why It Matters for the Gulf

Gulf travellers are high-value customers. They tend to book premium accommodation, travel frequently, and plan multi-destination itineraries. AI tools that can personalise recommendations at that level of complexity have obvious appeal.

For the travel industry operating in this region, the data is a signal to accelerate investment in AI-powered customer interfaces. Hotels, airlines, and online travel agencies that lag behind risk losing bookings to platforms that offer faster, smarter, more personalised experiences.

There is also a language dimension. Arabic-language AI travel tools remain underdeveloped relative to English-language equivalents, which represents both a gap and an opportunity for regional players.

What Travellers Are Using AI For

• Destination research and itinerary building
• Flight price tracking and comparison
• Hotel recommendations and booking
• Local activity and restaurant suggestions
• Visa and travel document guidance

The Trust Question: Are Travellers Comfortable With AI Booking?

The 69% figure on hotel booking trust is the one that should get the industry’s attention. Booking a hotel used to require a human layer of reassurance, whether through a travel agent, a friend’s recommendation, or a phone call to the property. AI has compressed that trust-building process significantly.

That said, trust varies by booking complexity. Travellers appear more comfortable with AI handling straightforward city-hotel bookings than with complex resort packages or trips involving special requirements. The technology still has room to grow before it can reliably handle edge cases.

How Gulf Travel Platforms Are Responding

Regional online travel agencies and hospitality groups have started embedding AI chatbots and recommendation engines into their booking flows. Some are experimenting with AI-generated itineraries tailored to Gulf travel preferences, including halal dining filters, prayer time considerations, and family-friendly resort criteria.

Global platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Google Travel have also rolled out AI features that are directly accessible to Gulf users, raising the competitive bar for local operators.

Key Stats at a Glance

For the full findings, see the original report from Travel And Tour World.

As AI gets better at understanding cultural preferences and regional travel patterns, it could reshape the entire Gulf tourism economy. Are you already using AI to plan your holidays, or do you still prefer booking the old-fashioned way? Tell us in the comments.