Almost a third of Australians are now using AI to book their holidays, a figure that has risen by 73% in the past year alone. Led by Gen Z and millennials, this shift signals something larger: the tools we once reserved for work are now shaping how we spend our time away from it.
For futurist and best-selling author Michael McQueen, this trend reflects a broader transformation in how people integrate AI into daily decision-making.
Smarter Prompts and the Lasting Value of Travel Agents
According to Michael, the key to unlocking AI's potential in travel planning lies in the specificity of the person who enters the prompts. Naturally, generic requests will only yield generic results. But when users provide a more detailed context, such as a 5-day road trip from Sydney to Brisbane with kids, a dog, and a preference for farm stays, AI platforms are now smart enough to deliver useful and tailored recommendations based on those details. "The more specific and unusual your request, the better this stuff is," Michael notes.
Despite AI's growing role though, Michael is clear that humans remain valuable in this regard. Knowing that AI tools can hallucinate depending on how users enter their prompts, the machines can still generate plausible-sounding information that simply isn't accurate. Travel agents, by contrast, offer something technology cannot replicate: peace of mind. Especially for high-stakes bookings where significant money is on the line, the reassurance of a trusted professional matters a lot for customers.
The Broader Shift
The rapid adoption of AI in travel planning is more than a consumer trend. It reflects a broader shift in how people relate to technology, one that has significant implications for businesses and leaders. As platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot continue to evolve, they’re becoming daily companions that people rely on for everything, from trip itineraries to coordinating family gatherings. Michael encourages audiences to pick a platform, invest in it, and learn its strengths because the more you use these tools, the more personalised and effective they become.
This is exactly the kind of behavioural and technological shift explored in Michael McQueen’s futurist keynote on disruption and AI readiness. Drawing on two decades of research into disruption and change, he’s helping audiences identify the trends shaping the coming years, from generative AI to the rising influence of Gen Z in redefining workplace and consumer expectations. But more importantly, he offers practical strategies for avoiding the mindset traps that leave organisations vulnerable to irrelevance.
For leaders navigating an era where the pace of change continues to accelerate, Michael's message is grounded and actionable: adaptability is not optional, but it can be learned. Those who embrace new technologies thoughtfully, understanding both their potential and their limitations, will be best positioned to thrive in the years ahead.
