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Could ChatGPT Give You The Best Seaside Holiday Deal Or End Up Costing You?

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AI can plan the trip, but it cannot carry the cost of a bad booking. Credit: Koshiro K / Shutterstock

More holidaymakers are using artificial intelligence to find flights, hotels and Spain trip ideas in 2026. But travel data shows many still do not trust AI to book for them, and consumer rules, entry checks and refund conditions still need human verification before money changes hands.

How AI is slipping into the holiday planning stage before travellers book

Artificial intelligence is no longer just helping people write emails or summarise documents. It is now quietly shaping how many holidaymakers choose where to go, what to book and how much they think a trip should cost.

New travel data suggests the shift is accelerating. Adobe research cited by travel industry publication Skift found that traffic from AI sources to US travel websites rose sharply year-on-year in May 2026, with AI-referred visitors spending longer on travel sites and leaving less often than visitors from non-AI sources.

Google has also reported a surge in travel-related AI searches this year, including major growth in searches for “AI travel assistant”, “AI concierge” and “AI flight booking”.

For many travellers planning trips across Europe, AI is increasingly becoming the first filter. It may suggest the destination, compare hotels, build the itinerary, estimate a budget and point people towards a booking site before they have checked the details themselves.

Why a quick AI answer can still miss the rule that ruins a trip

The appeal is obvious. Planning a holiday can involve dozens of tabs, price checks, review sites, airline pages, hotel conditions, maps and restaurant lists. An AI tool can make that feel simpler in seconds.

The problem is that travel is full of small details that change the outcome.

A hotel may look perfect until the cancellation terms are checked. A cheap flight may become less useful once baggage, seat selection, arrival time or transfer costs are added. A route suggested by AI may not reflect a strike, a seasonal closure, a local transport gap or a change in entry requirements.

This is where AI can be useful, but risky. It can point travellers towards the right topic, but the final check should be made with official government, airline, airport or consumer rights sources.

How travellers are using AI for ideas but still want trusted booking support

The trust gap is already visible.

Expedia Group research published in April 2026 found that travellers are increasingly open to AI for inspiration, price monitoring and itinerary building. But the same survey found that most still prefer booking with trusted travel brands rather than handing the purchase to an AI chatbot or agent.

The hesitation is normal. Travel is expensive, time-sensitive and emotionally loaded. If a hotel is wrong, a flight is missed, a refund is refused or the wrong entry rule is followed, the cost is not only financial. It can mean ruined family plans, lost annual leave, unexpected overnight stays or a stressful airport argument. 

ABTA, the UK travel association, has also reported that the use of AI for holiday inspiration doubled in its 2025 Holiday Habits research, although traditional internet searches and recommendations from friends and family remained far more common.

For travel companies, AI visibility is now becoming a commercial battle.

How Spain travellers can use AI without handing over the whole holiday

AI can still be a useful planning assistant, especially for comparing neighbourhoods, building rough itineraries, estimating journey times, translating local information or finding overlooked destinations.

A safer approach is to use it early, not blindly at the point of purchase.

Travellers should check the final price directly with the airline, hotel, tour operator or trusted booking platform. Cancellation rules, baggage charges, room type, airport transfers, local taxes, insurance cover and refund rights should be read before payment. These all things that AI may not be able to accurately search for you.

Why the best holiday deal still needs a human check

AI is likely to become a normal part of holiday planning, especially for people trying to save time and money during peak months. It may help travellers find better options faster, but it does not remove the need to verify the booking.

Let AI suggest, compare and organise, but do not let it be the only source before paying.

Before booking a Spain or Europe trip this summer, travellers should double-check official entry rules, airline conditions, accommodation terms, refund rights and reviews from recent guests. A chatbot can make holiday planning feel easier, but the person travelling is still the one who should have the final say. 

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Charity Bingo Nights Arrive In Casares

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Animal and bingo lovers are invited to a series of community bingo nights this summer to help raise funds for ACE SHIN (Animal Care España). The well-known charity that provides a vital lifeline for abandoned and vulnerable dogs across the Costa del Sol. These enjoyable upcoming fundraising evenings are giving you the chance to support the continuous animal welfare work while enjoying a game and a glass of wine with friends.

Eyes down for a full house at Cafe Jardines del Rosario

These fun filled evenings will take place at Cafe Jardines del Rosario, a local venue in Casares that regularly hosts community gatherings. It´s not just bingo up for grabs, attendees can also participate in a charity raffle. Supporters have donated various prizes, with proceeds going directly to the daily running costs of the local rescue centre.

What is included in your entry ticket?

The initial entry fee is €10 per person, which includes a delicious traditional empanada and a glass of wine upon arrival. Once the evening begins, individual bingo cards can be purchased for €5 per game. This format means attendees to manage their spend while ensuring the charity receives crucial financial support.

Save the dates for upcoming bingo nights

Organisers have scheduled three specific dates for the coming months to maximise their local fundraising efforts. Each event begins promptly at 7:30pm on the following Tuesdays –

Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, July 14
Tuesday, September 22

How to find the venue and book your spot

Cafe Jardines del Rosario is easy to locate. From the Casares Roundabout, turn left, proceed over the next roundabout, cross two speed bumps, and take an immediate right. A public car park is situated directly opposite, and a children’s playground is next to the cafe.

To guarantee a table, please telephone +34 642 74 07 08 or email sheldonmaggieevents@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome on the night.

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Barcino Quartet At Clarence Jazz Club

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Young Catalan group, Barcino Quartet are bringing their new ideas for Jazz to wow audiences. They will perform at Clarence Jazz Club in Torremolinos on Friday, June 26 at 10pm, delivering an evening built around re‑imagined jazz standards. Formed in January 2026 at the Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona, the group was created by four keen musicians who share the same clear artistic direction and a strong grounding in traditional jazz. Their arrangements follow the traditional versions, with a few rhythmic variations that add interest without changing the essence of the pieces

Four talented musicians, one shared approach

Each member brings a different training background to the table, giving the quartet a sound moulded by individual strengths but with a shared sense of purpose. Tomas Montero on tenor saxophone, Manel Puig on electric guitar, Pau Reig Llunell on double bass and Silvano Olalla on drums. Their set focuses on well‑known tunes played with a light touch and a clear beautiful sense of timing. Audiences can enjoy tidy playing and a group sound that feels relaxed and confident. Perfect for a late Friday night performance.

Ticket prices and seating at Clarence Jazz

Clarence Jazz Club operates a seat‑based system, so advance booking is recommended. Prices are –

Zone A (Rows 1–3): €18
Zone B (Row 4 onwards): €15
General / Reduced Visibility: €12
Members receive a 20% discount.

Seats are chosen during purchase, and tables may be shared if not fully occupied. A general‑admission area with individual chairs is available on a first‑come basis.

Tickets can be purchased through the Clarence Jazz Club official website

The Barcino Quartet event details

Friday, June 26 at 10pm, location, Clarence Jazz Club, Calle Danza Invisible 8, Torremolinos

Barcino Quartet’s appearance is just one part of their current tour across Spain, a treat for Jazz fans to get the chance to hear one of Barcelona’s most promising young ensembles. For more information visit the Clarence Jazz Club social media channels or website.

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Donkey Dreamland Mijas Faces Fire Danger

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Donkeys at the dreamland under threat. Credit: DD

The Donkey Dreamland rescue centre in Mijas is currently facing an urgent and very real fire threat after two blazes broke out nearby during the past two weeks. Heavy winter rains produced exceptional vegetation growth and raised fire risks, despite calls from Mijas mayor Ana Mata for land owners to cut back overgrowth.

Staff at Donkey Dreamland cleared dry material from their own sanctuary land, yet neighbouring plots are still overgrown and are adding to the imminent danger.

Recent close calls behind push for urgent fire defences

Staff have already cleared large amounts of flammable waste and dry vegetation recently while emergency procedures have received upgrades. Even more steps must follow to prepare for summer fire conditions.

GoFundMe funds will deliver practical safety improvements

  • Campaign funds will buy new fire extinguishers and pay for servicing of existing units.
  • Perimeter hoses will protect vulnerable areas while machinery rental finishes vegetation clearance and waste removal.
  • Extra water points will appear around the site.
  • Twelve stables will receive lime paint and disinfection to improve hygiene standards.
  • Volunteers will join fire and evacuation training sessions run with the Fuengirola fire brigade’s support.

But all of this costs money.

Temporary closure reduces income for small rescue team

Some of the required work has forced a temporary closure of the sanctuary to visitors and caused a serious loss of income for the small operation.

Community support still essential to protect Mijas donkeys

Every contribution counts because €2,000 will create real change for this small and much-loved rescue centre. Extra funds will support more prevention measures.

Local residents and animal lovers have supported Donkey Dreamland for years via volunteers and events. This appeal calls on the community to unite again now. Donations will help protect animals that suffered neglect, abuse or abandonment before arriving at the sanctuary. The centre has rescued many local donkeys over recent years with Mijas Council support and volunteer help.

Preparation makes the difference. When the flames arrive, time for action has already run out. The Donkey Dreamland urgently needs its community of supporters more than ever.

Donate by visiting Donkey Dreamland Asociación Animalista at GoFundMe.com.

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