MUSCAT — Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving effective in travel planning, yet it remains underutilized by global travelers, according to a new survey by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.

The study, conducted in partnership with research provider Toluna, found that only 28% of respondents worldwide have used AI to plan their trips. However, an overwhelming 96% of those who did were satisfied with the results, and 84% said they intend to use AI for future travel planning.

Kaspersky noted that while 72% of active internet users regularly engage with AI tools, their primary uses are research (76%), work (45%), and studying (40%). Travel planning lags behind these categories but shows growing potential, particularly for families with children who rely on AI to save time.

Among travelers who used AI, the most common functions were identifying activities and excursions (70%), selecting accommodation (66%), finding restaurants (60%), and searching for tickets (58%). Booking services were less common, with 45% using AI to book hotels, 43% for tickets, and 38% for restaurants. Notably, 45% of participants sought AI guidance on visas and migration — an area that experts caution may pose risks due to inaccurate outputs.

“AI is rapidly maturing and delivering personalized, time-saving solutions, but travelers must remain cautious and double-check critical information,” said Vladislav Tushkanov, Group Manager at Kaspersky’s AI Technology Research Center.

The report highlights that while AI adoption in travel remains modest, its role as a decision-support tool is expanding. Kaspersky advises users to verify AI-provided information, use secure networks while traveling, and protect devices with strong passwords and cybersecurity solutions.

The survey covered 3,000 respondents across 15 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Germany, and the UK, during the summer of 2025.