Tourists are wasting money and time on AI-generated travel scams—here’s how to avoid them.
You might think your travel guide has all the best insider tips, but what if it was written by a robot that’s never set foot outside a server room? AI-generated travel guides are flooding the internet, and they’re tricking travelers into visiting places that don’t exist, dining at restaurants that are long closed, and wasting precious vacation time on generic, lifeless recommendations.
These guides look convincing—polished, detailed, and packed with information—but there’s just one problem: most of it is pure fiction. Travelers are unknowingly following bad advice, and in some cases, getting outright scammed.
If you’ve ever trusted a travel guide without questioning where it came from, you could be next. Before planning your next adventure, it’s time to uncover the truth about AI-generated travel guides and why they’re leading so many tourists astray.
1. Fake author names are tricking travelers into trusting AI-generated guides.
Ever spotted a travel guide by “Mike Steves” or “Lisa Fodor” and thought, “That sounds familiar”? That’s the point. AI-generated travel guides often use fake author names that mimic well-known travel writers to appear credible. Scammers know that a familiar-sounding name makes people more likely to trust the book, warn Seth Kugel and Stephen Hiltner in a New York Times article.
These fake authors don’t just have names—they come with fabricated bios, impressive (but nonexistent) credentials, and AI-generated headshots to make them seem real. Travelers assume they’re getting expert advice from a seasoned explorer, but in reality, the book was auto-generated by AI with no human insight.
Before trusting a guidebook, research the author. If they don’t have a presence outside of Amazon or no real-world travel articles to their name, you’re likely dealing with an AI-created scam.
2. Generic, recycled content makes these guides nearly useless.
Ever read a travel guide that feels like a Wikipedia summary? That’s because it probably is. AI-generated travel books often pull information from public sources, reword it slightly, and pass it off as expert advice, according to Tobias Carroll with InsideHook. Instead of real insights, they’re filled with vague phrases like “This city offers a rich cultural experience” or “The views here are breathtaking.” While technically true, these statements tell you nothing helpful.
A good travel guide provides firsthand recommendations, hidden gems, and real-world advice from someone who’s actually been there. AI-generated books lack this personal touch, making them little more than rehashed internet content. If a guide feels generic, repetitive, and uninspired, it’s probably AI-generated. Before purchasing, check the sample pages. If the content is bland and lacks specific details, it’s not worth your money.
3. Fake five-star reviews make these books seem more legitimate than they are.
A high rating doesn’t always mean a book is good. AI-generated travel guides often have inflated five-star reviews that were either purchased or written by bots, says Michael Meng in an article for Travel and Mobility Tech. Many of these reviews follow a suspicious pattern—vague praise, no specific details, and an unusual number of five-star ratings within a short period. If the reviews say things like “Great book! Very helpful!” but don’t mention any specific details, it’s a red flag.
Fake reviews make it harder for real buyers to spot low-quality books. Meanwhile, those who do get scammed may not bother leaving a review, allowing the cycle to continue. Always check for verified purchase reviews and look for genuine, detailed feedback. If all the positive reviews sound robotic, overly generic, or were posted on the same day, you’re likely looking at a scam.
4. Print-on-demand scams are flooding the market with AI travel guides.
Thanks to print-on-demand technology, scammers can flood Amazon with AI-generated travel guides overnight. Unlike traditional publishers that carefully curate and fact-check books, print-on-demand services allow anyone to upload a book and start selling immediately. This lack of oversight means travelers end up buying low-quality, AI-written guides that offer little value.
The worst part? These books often look professional. Glossy covers, polished formatting, and even fake author bios make them seem like the real deal. But once you start reading, the content is often generic, outdated, or outright incorrect, suggests Karin Wiberg, writing for Clearsite Books.
To avoid getting duped, always check the publisher. If the book is self-published with no reputable backing, be skeptical. Look for guides from well-known publishers or authors with a proven track record in travel writing.
5. AI-generated photos make these fake travel books look more convincing.
Scammers don’t just fake the writing—they fake the images too. Some AI-generated travel guides include AI-created author photos or even fabricated travel images to make the book appear more authentic. Since AI can now produce highly realistic images, it’s easy to fool buyers into thinking they’re looking at real photography from a legitimate traveler.
The problem? AI-generated images often lack authenticity. You might notice strange lighting, oddly distorted backgrounds, or facial features that seem unnatural. In some cases, the images depict places that don’t even exist!
Before trusting a travel guide, check the images. A reverse image search can help reveal whether they’re real or AI-generated. If a book relies on obviously fake or overly polished photos, that’s a major warning sign that the entire guide might be a scam.
6. Over-the-top promises lure in unsuspecting travelers.
Ever seen a travel guide promising “exclusive local secrets” or “hidden gems no one knows about”? It sounds enticing, but in most cases, these claims are pure marketing fluff. AI-generated travel guides often make big promises they can’t keep, luring travelers in with the idea of an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience.
The reality? Most of these books recycle generic recommendations that can be found on any travel website. Worse, some of their “hidden gems” are either outdated, misleading, or entirely made up. If a guide boasts insider knowledge but lacks details like specific local recommendations, verified sources, or unique insights, be skeptical.
A trustworthy guidebook doesn’t need gimmicks to prove its worth. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
7. Bargain prices make these scammy guides seem like a steal.
AI-generated travel guides are often priced much lower than reputable alternatives. That’s because scammers know that a cheap price tag makes their book seem like an easy, low-risk purchase. While it may feel like a great deal at first, a poorly written, AI-generated guide can end up costing you time, frustration, and money on your trip.
Quality travel books take time, research, and real-world experience to create, which is why well-reviewed, expert-authored guides tend to cost more. If a travel book is suspiciously cheap compared to others covering the same destination, that’s a reason to pause.
Before buying, compare the book to guides from trusted publishers. A few extra dollars spent on a legitimate, well-researched book is always worth it over a bargain-priced AI scam.
8. No real research goes into these books—just AI-generated fluff.
Real travel writers visit destinations, talk to locals, and experience everything firsthand before writing a guidebook. AI-generated books skip all of that. Instead of genuine, in-depth knowledge, they piece together information from online sources without verifying accuracy.
This results in books filled with generic, lifeless content that lacks the depth and personality of a real travel guide. They won’t tell you which cafes are truly worth visiting, what neighborhoods to avoid, or how to get the best local experience. Instead, they regurgitate the same bland advice you could find with a quick Google search.
If a guide lacks personal insights, specific recommendations, or feels like it was written without passion, it’s likely an AI-generated scam. A good travel book should feel like it was written by someone who has actually been there.
9. Fake travel guides make it nearly impossible to verify their authenticity.
One of the biggest challenges with AI-generated travel guides is figuring out whether they’re legitimate before buying. Since scammers use fake author profiles, AI-generated reviews, and polished covers, their books often look just as professional as real ones. This makes it difficult for travelers to spot a scam until it’s too late.
Unlike books from established publishers, these AI-generated guides don’t have a history of credibility. There’s no way to verify the author’s experience, no social media presence, and no reputable travel website backing them. Many of these books also lack preview options, preventing buyers from assessing the content before purchasing.
Before buying a travel guide, research the author and publisher. If you can’t find any other work by them or they don’t have a presence outside of Amazon, think twice before trusting their advice.
10. Amazon’s platform makes it easy for AI travel scams to spread.
Amazon is one of the biggest enablers of AI-generated travel guide scams. Thanks to its self-publishing and print-on-demand services, scammers can upload AI-written books in minutes, sell them worldwide, and disappear before anyone catches on. There’s little oversight, meaning low-quality, misleading, or even outright fraudulent books can flood the marketplace with ease.
Once a book is published, Amazon’s algorithm promotes it based on sales and reviews—both of which can be manipulated. If a scammer generates fake five-star reviews and sells a few copies, their AI-generated book can climb the rankings, making it even harder for travelers to spot real, trustworthy guides.
Amazon does remove fraudulent listings when they’re reported, but by the time that happens, scammers have often already moved on to their next fake book. Travelers need to be extra cautious when buying guides online.
11. AI-generated guides are damaging trust in real travel books.
The flood of AI-generated travel guides isn’t just scamming tourists—it’s also hurting the credibility of real travel writers and guidebooks. Travelers who unknowingly purchase these low-quality books end up frustrated and disappointed, making them less likely to trust guidebooks in general.
This creates a ripple effect where even reputable travel authors struggle to gain trust. If someone has a bad experience with an AI-generated guide, they may assume all guidebooks are unreliable. As a result, people may rely more on random internet blogs or crowdsourced advice, missing out on the depth and expertise that a well-researched guide can provide.
To protect real travel writers and ensure you’re getting reliable information, it’s more important than ever to verify the authenticity of any guidebook before purchasing. Don’t let AI scams ruin the value of expert travel advice.
12. You can avoid AI-generated travel scams by doing your research.
Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from falling for AI-generated travel guide scams. The first step is to always research the author. A legitimate travel writer will have a history of published work, a professional website, or a presence on reputable travel platforms. If the author’s name only exists on Amazon, that’s a major red flag.
Next, check for fake reviews. Look for detailed feedback from verified buyers instead of vague, overly positive comments. Also, preview the book if possible—AI-generated guides often have lifeless, generic content that’s easy to spot.
Choosing books from established publishers like Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, or National Geographic is another way to ensure quality. While AI scams are becoming more sophisticated, a little extra research can help you avoid wasting money on a book that won’t actually help you plan a great trip.