Visa reported that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming travel planning in Hungary as well, based on its own research. The Central and Eastern Europe travel and payments survey was conducted in April on a representative sample of 1,000 people per country aged 18 to 75; higher-income respondents were overrepresented in the sample.
Key findings for Hungary:
- A majority of respondents have already planned a trip relying on AI-based tools. Thirteen percent use such tools regularly.
- Users most often ask AI for tips, recommendations and offers, and they use it to solve logistical and transport questions.
- Respondents highlighted time savings, 24/7 availability and ease of use as the main benefits of AI applications.
- Fifty-one percent said they would trust or at least delegate certain tasks to an AI travel agent.
Visa expects that over time AI will move beyond a supportive role and increasingly take over tasks for users — for example, finding the best travel options and making bookings on their behalf.
Travel habits and payments
According to the survey, 65 percent of Hungarian respondents plan domestic trips, while 47 percent plan to travel abroad. The most popular foreign destinations are Austria, Croatia and Italy, and the summer high season remains the preferred travel period.
Financial and payment data:
- Sixty-eight percent of respondents travel with a pre-planned travel budget.
- Fifty-six percent use the same domestic bank card to pay when abroad.
- Digital payment methods — including mobile phone and smartwatch payments — are already used daily by more than half of respondents.
- Convenience, speed and security considerations contribute to the popularity of digital payments.
Visa notes that travel-related benefits tied to bank cards are still not fully utilized by respondents.
MBH Bank study: saving and preparation
Visa’s release cites a separate MBH Bank study conducted in April on a 508-person representative sample of Hungarian internet users aged 18 to 65. That research found that Hungarians generally prepare financially for travel, with the majority funding trips from savings.
Feedback also shows that during the travel season many people look for fast, simple, cashless payment options. The study highlights that unplanned expenses are common: nearly two-thirds of respondents have spent more than planned while on vacation.
Why this matters
Wider AI adoption in travel planning can enable faster, more personalized and more convenient trip organization, but it raises questions about responsibility, data protection and transparency in decision-making. The digitalization of payments signals growing demand for cashless, efficient solutions, with implications for banks, payment providers and tourism-sector businesses.
(The cover image is illustrative.)
