So you want to come to Bordeaux. And because you’re a wine lover, you’re thinking of hitting up a few wineries in the Medoc, Saint Emilion, and why not, Sauternes. You’ve got a few minutes to kill and head over to ChatGPT. At the touch of a button, you’ve got your trip planned out.
In an era where technology permeates every part of our lives, it's no surprise then that Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms for travel planning have entered the equation. Fast, free and full of promise, these platforms are able to spit out a wealth of options for your next dream vacation.
We love technology as much as the next person–after all, it has made travel much easier and accessible to all–but we were curious to try some of these platforms ourselves, wondering if it was time to close our office. On one of the most widely-used travel platforms, we entered our prompt:
“My wife and I will be in Bordeaux on September 7 and 8th. We would like to arrange a guided tour with a driver/guide to visit the left bank on one day and the right bank on another. Can you please suggest an itinerary for these days. We love and enjoy the top first and second growths but understand that they are often not available or are visited at a premium.”
In a matter of nanoseconds, our wine tours were ready. Our bot was friendly, efficient and created an itinerary that would’ve made Robert Parker jealous. Margaux, Latour, Figeac, Angelus, Cheval Blanc, it seemed that nothing was out of bound, as if all these properties were available even during one of the busiest times of the year: harvest. It was, dare we say, too good to be true.
As Bordeaux travel experts, with more than 20 years experience, we know better. Amidst all the convenience that AI provides, it's imperative to recognize its limitations, and understand the indispensable value of a human touch. Particularly in the domain of wine tours in France, the limitiations are immense. Sure AI platforms can suggest the top properties, but actually securing a spot in one of these esteemed venues is a feat which often requires tact, persuasion and years of relationship-building. None of which the AI bots are equipped to handle.
Several AI itinerary planning platforms have gained prominence in recent years, revolutionising the way we plan and experience travel. Platforms such as Copilot2trip, Google Trips, Guide Geek, Expedia, and Curiosio are able to pull data from all corners of the internet and provide customized itineraries. With impressive features and functionalities, from AI-powered travel advisors, fully integrated comprehensive booking systems, real-time recommendations, and travel experiences tailored to your personal preferences and interests, we’ve got to hand it to Silicon Valley, it’s a job well-done.
Yet, even with all this sophistication and high-tech, in wine regions like Bordeaux, where the slower life, traditional country values and local customs dictate the rules of the game, relying on AI platforms for your travel plans can lead to massive disappointments.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT, while capable of providing basic travel assistance, lack the nuanced understanding and real-world experience required for complex itinerary planning and booking.
To go back to our “conversation” (if we can even call it that) with our bot, the options didn’t take into consideration that September 7th and 8th fall on a weekend, when all (save Yquem) of the Bordeaux First Growths are closed. And it’s not just a lack of information from the sources where AI is getting its data, not all First Growths are open to the public, and many filter the visitors they receive with an initial screening.
Beyond the famous chateau, the smaller, boutique wineries aren't always on top of their game, often burdened by the day to day of running a winery. Scheduling visits then requires numerous follow up emails, calls and coordination. We don’t want to brag, but what we do is practically an art form. Jokes aside, the reality is that AI has massive blind spots, including:
We’ll all bite the dust eventually but when it comes to booking your wine tours, partnering with a reputable agency like Decanter Tours, with over 20 years of experience in the field of wine tours, offers distinct advantages:
The proof is in the pudding: our customer reviews continuously highlight these points, which you can read here. Perhaps the most important point is that our personalized attention builds trust, an intangible attribute that is so very important in tourism.
All this to say, we’re not closing our office just yet. Yes, AI platforms have revolutionized the way we plan and book travel, but they cannot replace the value of human expertise, personalized service, and insider connections offered by reputable wine tour agencies like Decanter Tours.
We believe that by combining the efficiency of AI with the human touch of experienced professionals, travelers can enjoy the best of both worlds—a seamless planning process and unforgettable experiences that exceed their expectations. Now, which Medoc First Growth chateau was it that you wanted to visit? Contact us to talk about it... in person!
