AI Makes Travel Worse Unless Human Experts Get Involved

Europe Incoming CEO Uma Somia and COO Dylan Lall sit down with David Boigne, travel industry veteran and founder of 5Continents, to talk about what AI is changing in travel and, perhaps more importantly, what it isn’t. David’s career has taken him from working as a tour guide in France to building a global travel business, giving him a front-row seat to decades of change in the industry. His view on AI is pragmatic: the future isn’t about technology replacing travel professionals, but about good travel professionals learning how to use it well. That leads to a bigger question. When travellers can research destinations, compare options and generate entire itineraries online in seconds, what are they actually paying a human expert for? The conversation moves through AI-generated itineraries, travel agents, luxury travel, customer service and the importance of having someone accountable when things don’t go to plan. Technology can make information easier to find and planning much faster, but David argues that knowledge, judgement, empathy and trust are still what turn a trip on paper into a genuinely great travel experience. And as AI makes information increasingly easy to access, those human qualities may become more valuable, not less. **Links and Resources:** • Europe Incoming: One Partner For UK and Europe • Dylan Lall LinkedIn • Uma Somia LinkedIn • David Boigne LinkedIn • 5Continents Subscribe to the show and share it with two other travel lovers. We’re here for the long haul. ✈️  YOU need to be here if you travel, sell travel, provide travel services, or just have an interest in the stories, successes, failures, progress, and stagnation of the travel industry. We are here to shake things up. If you are a Travel Disruptor yourself, and want to be a guest on the show, email [marketing@europeincoming.com](mailto:marketing@europeincoming.com)  Europe Incoming is your #1 DMC for multi-country programmes, fast quoting, and calm delivery. Built for operators, agents, and planners who need things to run smoothly. **Who We Are:** The Travel Disruptor is brought to you by Europe Incoming**,** a destination management partner for travel professionals selling the UK and Europe. **One DMC. All of Europe! Celebrating 40+ years of tailor-made European Travel.** For more than 40 years, we’ve helped tour operators, travel agents, and organisers build programmes that are easy to sell and even easier to deliver. From hotel contracting and transport coordination to guides, entrances, dining, and on-the-ground support, we handle the moving parts so your guests feel the difference and your team stays in control. If you want to feature on the show as a guest or as a sponsor, email [marketing@europeincoming.com](mailto:marketing@europeincoming.com) today to get the conversation started.