Two major travel platforms are launching ChatGPT apps that let users plan entire trips through conversation, but the shift raises concerns about whether algorithms will homogenize travel experiences and worsen overtourism in popular destinations. Rome2Rio and Omio, a German travel company, announced they are building apps within ChatGPT that allow the platform's 900 million weekly users to search, compare, and book journeys across trains, buses, flights, ferries, and other transportation modes worldwide .

How Will ChatGPT Change the Way People Book Travel?

Instead of juggling multiple booking websites to piece together connections between cities, travelers can now ask ChatGPT a simple question like "What's the fastest and cheapest route from Rome to Florence this Saturday?" and receive a complete itinerary in a single conversation. The technology pulls live data from verified transportation inventories rather than generating approximate information, which reduces the risk of AI hallucinations, where the model invents false details .

According to Rome2Rio's research, one in three travelers is already using AI to plan trips, often consulting the technology before they even decide on a destination . This adoption rate suggests the integration with ChatGPT could accelerate AI's role in travel planning significantly.

"There's a real train, there's a real bus, a ferry, and it's all connected via API, deep technical integrations," said Naren Shaam, founder and CEO of Omio.

Naren Shaam, Founder and CEO at Omio

An application programming interface (API) is a technical bridge that allows ChatGPT to access real-time transportation data directly from booking systems, ensuring accuracy and up-to-date pricing .

What Are the Practical Benefits for Travelers?

Beyond convenience, AI-powered travel planning offers several tangible advantages that address common travel frustrations:

• Real-time disruption alerts: If a train line experiences delays or cancellations, the system can automatically notify users and suggest alternate routes before they arrive at the station.
• Transparent pricing and options: Users see all available routes, costs, and travel times in one place, making it easier to compare options and understand why certain routes cost more than others.
• Conversational discovery: Unlike traditional search bars, ChatGPT's conversational interface invites follow-up questions, potentially leading users to explore secondary destinations they might not have considered initially.

"If there is a disruption on a line we should, in theory, send you a message saying, 'Hey, there's likely a disruption. Here are a couple of alternate options to consider,'" explained Shaam, adding that while last-minute changes may cost more, the goal is to make travel "a lot more transparent and help customers make sound decisions" .

Naren Shaam, Founder and CEO at Omio

Could AI Algorithms Actually Worsen Overtourism?

Despite the convenience, travel experts and researchers worry that widespread AI adoption could concentrate tourism in already overcrowded destinations. AI systems are trained on popularity data from the internet, meaning they tend to reinforce existing patterns and nudge users toward the same routes and destinations that already dominate search results . If millions of ChatGPT users receive similar recommendations, popular cities like Barcelona, Venice, and Paris could face even greater strain.

There is also a concern that algorithmic planning could eliminate the spontaneity and wanderlust that define meaningful travel experiences. The fear is that travelers will no longer stumble upon unexpected routes, discover towns not on any itinerary, or make split-second decisions at train stations .

However, Shaam argues the effect could work in the opposite direction. He noted that conversational AI can empower people to discover more routes by inviting deeper exploration. "AI can empower people to discover more routes," he stated. "You have to trigger more questions for it to go deeper into context to give more unique itineraries" .

Shaam

Shaam also suggested that AI-driven discovery could help spread tourism beyond overcrowded major cities by nudging travelers toward rail and bus connections to secondary destinations. He pointed to Spain as an example, noting that cities like Seville, Granada, and Bilbao are only two to two-and-a-half hour train journeys from Madrid and Barcelona. "If AI can make that trip happen, it's good for local ecosystems too," he observed .

For now, Omio frames AI as a tool that handles the logistical burden of travel planning, leaving the spirit of adventure intact. The integration with ChatGPT represents a significant shift in how travelers research and book trips, but whether it ultimately enriches or homogenizes travel experiences will depend on how the technology is designed and deployed in the coming years.