AI offers smarter solutions for Chinese tourists

Movie superhero Iron Man's AI butler Jarvis, who is tasked with business operations and Tony Stark's security detail in the films, may not be a fictional fantasy anymore, as more AI tourism assistants have been developed to serve Chinese travelers by arranging their routes and accommodation.

Beijing resident Bao Yawei, 26, started turning to AI apps earlier this year to streamline trip planning for her May Day holiday, citing the challenge she had previously faced of sifting through huge amounts of online data on tourism destinations.

She noted that tools such as ChatGPT helped outline travel routes efficiently. She praised AI"tourism assistants" for their ability to sift through information, simplifying the process.

"I used to switch from one app to another, checking the opening hours of certain attractions and seeing the evaluation of hotels where I wished to stay. Now, all I need to do is to type in my needs, such as 'please arrange me a three-day trip to Shanghai' in the app, and I will get an itinerary highlighted with some must-go spots and good restaurants," Bao said.

While acknowledging variations in AI-generated travel plans, she emphasized their utility for non-demanding travelers. "It's helpful, anyway, if you are not a picky traveler," she said.

Bao is among an increasing number of users trying out new technologies to ease their traveling burdens, as many companies are seeking to optimize their AI tourism services.

Visiotrip, a tourism tech firm established in 2021 in Beijing, is combining AI with travel services. Through its app "Huanmeng Trip", users engage with the AI assistant"Emily", which offers real-time travel guidance.

Visiotrip Chief Technology Officer Hui Pengrui noted a rising demand for personalized tour options among young travelers.

"Emily" tailors trips based on user interests, with services spanning more than 10 domestic and overseas destinations including Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in Southwest China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Singapore.

The company aims to reach over 3 million users with AI travel solutions by the end of this year, anticipating continued growth in the sector, Hui said.

Wei Changren, founder of btiii.com, a tourism-related financial news website, said that it's an inevitable trend to apply AI technology to tourism services in the future, but he emphasized the need for time to accurately address user needs and refine AI tools effectively.

"Good AI tourism services need the support of large amounts of data to be more aware of people's consumption behavior," Wei said, adding that the AI tools will be useful supplements to traditional human services, rather than a replacement.

Five central departments, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Development and Reform Commission, released a notice in May to encourage government bodies and companies to develop smart tourism assistance apps and improve online tourism services.

The move aims to improve China's smart tourism infrastructure and products, and let more tourists enjoy greater convenience and benefits from these improvements by 2027.