AI is reshaping travel, but should travel advisors fear it or embrace it? In our latest Karryon Check In podcast, and the first in a new series on AI, Tony Carne from Everything AI in travel shares what this means for the industry’s future.
Artificial intelligence has been labelled both the biggest opportunity and the biggest threat to the travel industry. But what does it really mean for travel advisors?
In this latest episode of Karryon’s new Check In podcast series, founder Matt Leedham sits down with industry veteran turned AI entrepreneur Tony Carne to unpack the burning question: Is AI set to replace travel advisors, or empower them to be stronger than ever?
Carne, who has more than 25 years in the industry, including 13 years at Intrepid Travel, where he launched and led the Urban Adventures brand, has now gone all in on AI. Today, he is the founder of Everything AI in Travel and co-founder of the social travel platform Viderero, helping businesses and advisors alike navigate the rapidly shifting digital landscape.
“AI won’t take your job – but someone using AI will”
Carne doesn’t mince his words when it comes to the risk of ignoring new tools.
“AI is not here to take away the role of travel advisors,” he says. “But those who learn how to use it well are going to be vastly more effective, faster, and better equipped than those who ignore it. The real risk is in doing nothing.”
For advisors, the message is clear: AI is best thought of as a co-pilot. It can help generate ideas, automate admin, and streamline repetitive tasks — leaving more time for the very things that matter most: human connection, creativity, and deep product knowledge.
From hype to practical use
Carne is quick to acknowledge that the hype around AI has been deafening. But in his view, the industry is moving into a more useful and practical phase.
“We’re shifting from just talking about AI to using it in ways that genuinely improve productivity and service,” he explains. “Whether it’s smarter itinerary planning, automating back-office processes, or personalising client communication, these tools are here now – and they’re only getting better.”
Early adopters, he suggests, will gain a significant edge. And crucially, experimenting with AI doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. “It doesn’t mean you need to be a tech expert. It means being curious and willing to try.”
Keeping the ‘human’ in travel
For Carne, the greatest misconception is that AI will somehow erase the human element of travel.
“A trip is never just a transaction. It’s emotional, aspirational, and deeply personal. AI can enhance the process, but it can’t replicate that connection you have with your client sitting across the desk – or that ability to reassure them when things go wrong.”
He believes that far from replacing advisors, AI will make their value even more obvious. By stripping away repetitive admin, AI will shine a spotlight on the skills that truly differentiate a great travel professional: listening, inspiring, building trust, and solving complex problems.
Check out our Karryon AI Masterclass: The ultimate guide to using AI in your travel business
The opportunity for leaders and brands
Carne also sees AI as a catalyst for industry-wide transformation, not just a tool for individuals.
“Travel has always been about problem-solving,” he says. “AI just gives us a new set of tools to solve problems faster and smarter. Leaders who embrace that mindset will be the ones driving change, not being disrupted by it.”
For larger brands and agencies, this means thinking beyond the short term. Carne suggests investing in training, encouraging teams to experiment, and creating frameworks where AI complements human talent rather than replacing it. The pay-off, he argues, will be stronger client relationships and more resilient businesses.
Facing the fear factor
Carne recognises that some in the industry remain sceptical, or even fearful, about how quickly AI is advancing.
But his advice is simple: take small, practical steps. “The time to experiment is now. Even something as straightforward as using AI to draft client emails, brainstorm marketing ideas, or summarise feedback can open doors to bigger possibilities.”
He says advisors who get hands-on will quickly see that AI isn’t a threat to their livelihood but a tool that frees them up to do more of what makes the industry special.
What’s next for travel and AI?
Carne is convinced that AI will play a central role in the industry’s future, but not in the way the doomsayers predict.
“AI is not the end of travel advisors,” he insists. “It’s a tool that will help them be more impactful than ever. The future belongs to advisors who embrace the technology and double down on the human connection that only they can provide.”
That’s a reassuring message for an industry built on trust, experience, and emotion. As Carne makes clear, the opportunity is there for the taking.
The Karryon Check In with Matt Leedham is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today to hear more conversations with the people shaping the future of travel.
Check out our Karryon AI MASTERCLASS: How travel agents can use AI for better client consultations and communication.
