From TripTiks to TikToks: How the Internet Has Transformed the Way We Travel

Once upon a time, trip planning meant visiting a travel agent, flipping through glossy brochures, or, if you were really ahead of the curve, heading to AAA for a TripTik booklet to guide your route. Even before then, people had these things called maps and they would trace their routes from point A to point B! Fast forward to today, and nearly every part of our travel experience is influenced by the Internet and our digital world. From AI-generated itineraries to Google Maps right on our phones and in our vehicles, the way we plan trips has evolved just as much as the destinations themselves.

When our True Fit Marketing team was asked what one thing we use the Internet for when planning a trip, our answers revealed just how broad and creative online travel research has become. Some of us still love Google Maps and old-school research, like seeing what’s around, comparing locations, and building an itinerary piece by piece. Others rely on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube vlogs for quick, visual inspiration that makes travel feel instantly accessible. And now, with AI tools like ChatGPT, planning has reached a new level of personalization.

One teammate even shared that they used AI to plan a trip along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, simply entering their dates, destination, and interests, like live music, Halloween activities, and unique attractions, and getting a complete itinerary with morning, afternoon, and evening plans. Another teammate uses AI in a totally different way: designing armor for a fighting group, but realizing that same technology could help visualize outfits for travel, like what to pack for different destinations!

The creativity doesn’t stop there. Many of us now scroll through Instagram or TikTok for “must-see” restaurants, hidden beaches, and local experiences beyond what travel guides list. AI, social media, and influencer marketing have transformed how we discover destinations and how those destinations market themselves to us.

The New Age of Trip Planning

What used to take hours of flipping through guidebooks or printing MapQuest directions now takes just minutes. AI can suggest the best local dining based on your taste preferences, while social platforms show you what real travelers are doing right now in your dream destination.

For marketers, this shift has opened new doors. Travel brands and destinations are no longer just competing for ad space. They’re competing for scroll time. A well-placed reel, a blog from a travel influencer, or even a user-generated review can inspire someone to book a flight or add a new stop to their itinerary.

How Can a Business be Put Into an AI Generated Itinerary?

As more travelers turn to AI tools to plan their next getaway, businesses and destinations have a new opportunity to get discovered in fresh ways. To make sure your location or attraction is part of those AI-generated itineraries, start by strengthening your online presence. Keep your website content conversational and SEO-friendly, using natural language that answers questions travelers might ask, like “Where are the best places to eat in Pittsburgh?” or “What are the top things to do in Canonsburg in winter?” Listing your business on trusted platforms such as Google My Business, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, and keeping those listings detailed and up to date, helps AI tools recognize your location as credible and relevant.

AI models also prioritize active, well-reviewed, and frequently mentioned destinations. Publishing travel blogs, event updates, and itineraries on your website, collaborating with influencers or tourism boards, and maintaining accurate structured data (like hours, categories, and photos) can all help ensure you’re part of the digital conversation. In short, the more visible and informative your online presence is, the more likely it is that when someone asks ChatGPT or another AI for travel ideas, your business becomes part of their journey.

The Bottom Line

The future of travel is digital, dynamic, and maybe not so surprising when you get there. Whether you’re planning with AI or mapping routes the old-fashioned way, the Internet has made exploration more accessible and more inspired than ever before.

At True Fit Marketing, we love seeing how technology and creativity intersect in everyday life. The way we plan trips is just one reminder that innovation doesn’t replace human curiosity; it fuels it.