In our modern world, a viral video can ignite global wanderlust, and artificial intelligence is subtly reshaping travel. What happens, though, when these captivating scenes are more than just enhanced—when they're entirely made up?
A tale from Malaysia highlights the potential dangers of digital illusions and phantom destinations. An elderly couple's vacation dream crumbled after a fruitless drive. With AI content booming, the boundary between real adventure and AI-created fantasy gets hazy, presenting tough challenges for both tourists and travel professionals.
A Cable Car to Nowhere: The Malaysian Misadventure
Imagine this: lush forests below, majestic peaks above, and you gliding through paradise in a cable car. This was the enticement that led a retired couple from Kuala Lumpur on a three-hour drive to Perak last month. A sleek TikTok video showcasing the "Kuak Skyride," a supposed cable car ride in Kuala Hulu, promised a peaceful escape.
The video was a masterclass in persuasion. A composed reporter narrated the ride with enthusiasm, praising the "stunning views" and "thrilling experience." It showed tourists mid-ride, sharing positive comments about the engineering marvel slicing through the trees. It seemed genuine: high-definition shots, natural light, and even cable sounds for authenticity.
The couple checked into a local hotel, excited to ride, but were met with confusion when they asked about the Skyride. They showed the video to the staff, who then delivered a blow: "That's AI-generated." The footage was a complete fabrication—no gondolas, no forests, nothing at all. Kuala Hulu was quiet, lacking the attraction that had motivated their trip.
Disbelief changed to frustration. The woman, upset, reportedly threatened to sue the on-screen journalist for misleading advertising. Only after patient staff explained the technology behind the clip—synthetic voices, deepfake faces, and computer-generated landscapes—did the truth sink in. The "reporter" was fake: an AI creation.
The Surge of Deepfake Deception
This isn't an isolated incident; it's a symptom of a widespread problem. Deepfakes—realistic videos or images manipulated by AI—are everywhere, including travel. A February 2025 report from Signicat noted a sharp increase in deepfake fraud attempts, jumping from 0.1 percent in 2022 to 6.5 percent by late 2024. This significant rise means deepfakes are behind about one in every 15 fraud cases.
These tools are used to promote phantom destinations, fake tours, hotels, or landmarks, exploiting our desire for escape. In tourism, this can lead to wasted time, money, and disappointment. As AI models get better at mimicking accents, creating crowds, and syncing lip movements, these fakes become increasingly difficult to detect.
From Selfies to Synthetic Stars: Social Media's Toxic Allure
The roots of this issue are in social media, where SEO and viral fame often influence travel decisions more than traditional guides. "Selfie tourism" has transformed the world, turning quiet places into Instagram hotspots. Travelers pursue perfect shots instead of cultural immersion, straining ecosystems and local communities.
Consider Hallstatt, the undeniably picturesque Austrian village, inspiration for Disney's *Frozen*. Once a quiet lakeside haven, it now receives over a million visitors each year, each seeking similar, often-viral, snapshots. This influx has stirred protests from locals, who call it "overtourism" as tour buses jam the small streets and selfie sticks, seemingly, disrespect historic landmarks.
Portofino in Italy presents a sharper contrast. This glamorous Riviera town, a haven for yacht-sailing influencers, is now pushing back with $300 fines for tourists who overstay at popular photo spots. Officials mention "anarchic chaos" caused by crowds recreating online fantasies, a problem intensified by edited photos that remove the actual crowds and enhance the allure.
But influencers are, perhaps, just the start. Enter AI-generated travel personalities: entirely fabricated figures putting out seamless video logs from "hidden gems" that may not actually exist. These digital personalities—complete with fictional stories, wardrobes, and wandering desires—earn sponsorships while guiding followers toward sponsored or possibly phantom destinations. Even established organizations are testing these waters. In 2024, the German National Tourist Board launched a campaign using AI-created influencers to highlight lesser-known travel destinations like the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps. The initiative garnered praise for its innovation but also raised some debates: If promotions mix with fabrications, how can we, as consumers, believe anything?
Fabricated Realities and the Path Forward
The Malaysian couple’s tough experience isn't simply a warning tale; it's, in most cases, a sign of an entirely manufactured future for travel. We've moved beyond edited snapshots to algorithmically planned adventures, where our journey starts with a swipe and, in the end, leaves us with existential questions. As deepfakes simplify deception – tools like Midjourney and Sora enable practically anyone to become a one-person production team – it's up to us to carefully find our way.
However, we can be hopeful through awareness and learning. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are boosting AI detection measures, while tourist agencies all over the world are starting creator content verification programs. Even more critically, wide-reaching awareness campaigns can give travelers power: teaching them to double-check claims with reliable sources, look for strange details (like mismatched shadows or weirdly duplicated people), and develop a habit of skepticism as their closest travel companion.
Ultimately, the real wonder of exploring isn't found in glossy videos or made-up tours – it’s in the unplanned events that happen in the real world. As AI tempts us with perfect worlds, let's not forget: The routes worth taking are the ones we confirm ourselves, bit by bit.
