Research finds two-thirds of LGBTQ+ travellers are open to using AI to plan and book their trips and travel experiences
According to a recent survey from Matador Network, nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ travellers (62.1%) said they may use artificial intelligence to plan and book travel.
The survey highlights an increased reliance on AI within the LGBTQ+ community to enhance travel experiences.
It also found that LGBTQ+ travellers are nearly 16% more likely to have already used AI for travel and are 25% more likely to have planned to use AI for summer travel.
The LGBTQ+ travel market is worth over US$200 billion globally with the LGBTQ+ community in the US using approximately 10% of its purchasing power to travel
Given that 25% of American Gen Z secondary school students now identify as LGBTQ+, the findings are likely a reflection of the upward trajectory of non-cis, non-heteronormativity, and the growing influence of this trend on the travel industry as a whole.
In 2023, Globetrender launched its first The Future of Queer Travel report, which identifies eight trends that will shape the future of travel for the LGBTQ+ market.
The report called for a better understanding and appreciation of this distinct and richly varied market group, and highlighted the opportunities for the industry to cater to this demographic of travellers.
Matador Network’s free GuideGeek AI travel tool is designed to streamline trip planning and better support travellers with specific requirements. Travellers access GuideGeek through WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger, so they message the AI tool just like they would a friend.
GuideGeek then offers instant travel recommendations – from full itineraries to quick tips – that are tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences.
One user shares their experience of using GuideGeek to help them curate a last-minute, ten-day road trip from British Columbia to Palmer, Alaska. Tori Jackson from New York, says: “The Alaska Highway is a long stretch of road with little to no service. To plan ahead, we used AI to find gas stations with the distance apart so we would never run out of gas.
“Using GuideGeek allowed my friend and I to find hikes and places to camp along the route. My favourite feature was the suggestions for places to eat. Having a restrictive diet makes finding places to eat difficult, but using GuideGeek helped curate a list of vegan-friendly places.”
Since launching in 2023, GuideGeek has answered more than four million questions for travellers in dozens of languages. In addition to using GuideGeek to plan travel, approximately 25% of GuideGeek users are now also getting instant recommendations from the tool while they are on holiday.
by Rose Dykins | GLOBETRENDER