Travelers Prefer AI for Chores Over Choices, Mews Survey Reveals
Event summary
- Mews surveyed 3,250 travelers across 8 countries in July 2026, finding 63% would use AI for room-rate tracking and 56% for real-time translation.
- Only 44% would let AI plan itineraries, and 57% prefer controlling their trip decisions themselves.
- Travelers trust AI more with data they've shared (61% for stated preferences) than with data collected about them (34% for social data).
- Spain shows highest willingness for AI with data transparency (72%), while Italy is most optimistic about AI's future role (51%).
- Mews operates in 85 countries with 15,000 customers, named Best PMS for three consecutive years (2024-2026).
The big picture
The survey highlights a growing divide in traveler preferences for AI: functional, task-oriented applications are widely accepted, while personal decision-making remains firmly in human hands. This trend aligns with broader industry shifts toward selective automation, where technology handles administrative tasks, freeing staff for more meaningful guest interactions. Mews' findings suggest that the most successful hospitality providers will be those that integrate AI strategically, respecting guest autonomy while leveraging data they've explicitly shared.
What we're watching
- AI Adoption Strategy
- How hoteliers will balance AI automation with human touchpoints to enhance guest experiences.
- Data Privacy Dynamics
- Whether transparency and control over data will become a competitive differentiator in hospitality tech.
- Market Differentiation
- The pace at which regional preferences for AI will shape product development in the hospitality sector.