Embracing the ChatGPT revolution: unlocking new horizons for tourism

Purpose This study aims to investigate tourists’ attitudes and intentions regarding the usage of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) for accessing tourism information. Furthermore, by integrating the perceived risks associated with ChatGPT and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this research examines the impact of three types of perceived risks, such as privacy risk, accuracy risk and overreliance risk, on tourists’ behavioral intention. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered for this study by using two online survey platforms, thus resulting in a sample of 536 respondents. The online survey questionnaire assessed tourists’ perceived risks, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention and demographic information related to their usage of ChatGPT. Findings The structural equation modeling analysis revealed that tourists express concerns about the associated risks of using ChatGPT to search for tourism information, specifically privacy risk, accuracy risk and overreliance risk. It was found that perceived risks significantly influence tourists’ attitude and intention toward the usage of ChatGPT, which is consistent with the hypotheses proposed in previous literature regarding tourists’ perceived risks of ChatGPT. Research limitations/implications This work is a preliminary empirical study that assesses tourists’ behavioral intention toward the use of ChatGPT in the field of tourism. Previous research has remained at the hypothetical level, speculating about the impact of ChatGPT on the tourism industry. This study investigates the behavioral intention of tourists who have used ChatGPT to search for travel information. Furthermore, this study provides evidence based on the outcome of this research and offers theoretical foundations for the sustainable development of generative AI in the tourism domain. This study has limitations in that it primarily focused on exploring the risks associated with ChatGPT and did not extensively investigate its range of benefits. Practical implications First, to address privacy concerns that pose significant challenges for chatbots various measures, such as data encryption, secure storage and obtaining user consent, are crucial. Second, despite concerns and uncertainties, the introduction of ChatGPT holds promising prospects for the tourism industry. By offering personalized recommendations and enhancing operational efficiency, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize travel experiences. Finally, recognizing the potential of ChatGPT in enhancing customer service and operational efficiency is crucial for tourism enterprises. Social implications Recognizing the potential of ChatGPT in enhancing customer service and operational efficiency is crucial for tourism enterprises. As their interest in adopting ChatGPT grows, increased investments and resources will be dedicated to developing and implementing ChatGPT solutions. This enhancement may involve creating customized ChatGPT solutions and actively engaging in training and development programs to empower employees in effectively using ChatGPT’s capabilities. Such initiatives can contribute to improved customer service and overall operations within the tourism industry. Originality/value This study integrates TPB with perceived risks in ChatGPT, thus providing empirical evidence. It highlights the importance of considering perceived risks in tourists’ intentions and contributes to the sustainable development of generative AI in tourism. As such, it provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers.