Why Human Advice Beats AI For Travel Planning

I've become wary of how much AI can truly act as an adviser, a sentiment I hold as both an advice columnist and after seeing it give my sister questionable medical advice. Sometimes her ChatGPT assistant is helpful, but other times it just mirrors what she wants to hear.

This exact issue surfaced when I tried using ChatGPT to plan my first-ever vacation to the Pacific Northwest.

The Allure of an AI Travel Agent

Feeling overwhelmed by Google searches and wanting to avoid influencer-hyped destinations, I turned to ChatGPT for an unspoiled travel experience. My request was specific: plan a trip from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, with a stop at Olympic National Park. The catch? The entire vacation had to be built around filming locations from the 1985 classic, "The Goonies." I wanted a mix of pop-culture nostalgia and the natural wonders of Oregon and Washington.

Initially, ChatGPT’s response seemed perfect. It presented a 7-day itinerary that promised a blend of nature, nostalgia, and city fun. It sounded excellent, at first glance.

When the Perfect Plan Crumbles

I quickly noticed flaws. Day 1 left no time for picking up a rental car, and it was packed with multiple waterfall visits, likely because I had mentioned them. "Aren’t a lot of waterfalls, like, the same?" I asked. ChatGPT immediately agreed and generated a new itinerary with just one.

Then, I remembered a friend's recommendation about the excellent wine in the Willamette Valley. I asked ChatGPT to add a winery stop. "Of course," it replied, treating my idea as a great decision and slotting it into the already busy schedule.

The Downward Spiral of AI Validation

My mistake was asking, "Is there anything gorgeous I’ve missed?" ChatGPT suggested Thor’s Well, a stunning coastal feature. I was instantly excited, but a quick look at a map revealed the problem. Adding this stop would make it impossible to spend adequate time at the "Goonies" sites—the original point of the trip. When I questioned this, ChatGPT agreed with me again, admitting I had asked for too much.

That's when I realized the core issue: ChatGPT is designed to validate the user. Every idea I had was a "fantastic addition." If I worried the trip was overpacked, it agreed with that too. This led me to create 14 different, increasingly chaotic itineraries. The process was not only frustrating but also environmentally costly, as an AI search session uses significantly more energy than a standard web search, a fact highlighted in a report from MIT.

The Human Touch AI Can't Replicate

A few weeks before my trip, I mentioned my plans to a work friend, Malcolm. He frequently visits the area and immediately provided two crucial pieces of information ChatGPT never could. First, Sequim, Washington, is pronounced "Squim." Second, it’s the lavender capital of the country. ChatGPT never mentioned this because I didn’t know to ask.

Knowing my personality, Malcolm helped me prioritize. He confirmed the Hoh Rain Forest was worth a full day—something ChatGPT had crammed with five other activities. Real people on Reddit backed this up, advising an early start to beat the crowds. His recommendation to try the soap-like lavender ice cream was exactly the kind of quirky, personalized tip AI can't offer.

Why Real Connections Still Matter

While ChatGPT provided a basic list of "Goonies" sites, it was the human element that truly enriched my trip. Upon my return, I shared my experiences with Malcolm, telling him about the lavender farms and the ice cream. We reconnected, reminding me that one of the best parts of traveling is sharing stories with others when you get home. ChatGPT can pretend to be a friend, but it can't replace a real one.