Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Thu January 22, 2026
In 2026, artificial intelligence is a standard part of travel planning. What will truly differentiate advisors and the platforms they rely on is the ability to turn AI-assisted ideas into reliable, real-world travel experiences.
AI is increasingly supporting the planning phase of travel, handling research, ideation and scenario building with unprecedented speed. As planning becomes faster, traveler expectations for accuracy, personalization and seamless execution will rise in parallel. The technology can generate countless options and possibilities, but it cannot take responsibility for the complexities of real-world travel.
This is where human advisors become more valuable than ever.
They serve as curators, decision-makers and trusted problem-solvers who bridge the gap between AI-generated possibilities and executed itineraries. While AI excels at processing data and presenting alternatives, advisors bring irreplaceable judgment, relationship management and accountability to the table.
Executing AI-assisted plans requires more than just recommendations. It demands access to global, bookable accommodations that advisors can confidently reserve for their clients.
Platforms such as RateHawk, a B2B booking platform by Dubai’s Emerging Travel Group, provide the infrastructure needed to deliver on AI-generated ideas. With access to more than 2.6 million accommodations through 100,000-plus direct contracts and 260-plus wholesalers, RateHawk’s broad hotel coverage empowers advisors to plan confidently beyond major gateway cities.
Transfers also play a critical role in maintaining continuity across destinations and travel days, ensuring that the seamless experience promised in the planning phase becomes reality on the ground. As automation increases throughout the industry, all-around human support becomes the essential trust layer when plans inevitably change.
RateHawk supports this model with a fully dedicated commercial team of 25 specialists in North America, providing local expertise and assistance. Partners can connect to the platform’s extensive inventory via RateHawk’s API technology, either directly or through tech partners, making it easier to integrate AI-powered planning tools with actual booking capabilities.
The winning model for 2026 combines three essential elements: AI-assisted planning that accelerates research and ideation, advisor expertise that curates and executes with accountability, and global infrastructure that delivers on promises made during the planning process. As AI transforms the front end of travel planning, the differentiator will be who can most reliably bring those plans to life.
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