The simulator gives users the feeling of flying over Earth without leaving their home. As the aircraft moves, the map loads 3D buildings and detailed images of the terrain. This creates a smooth transition between different regions, such as mountains, cities and oceans. The experience is meant to feel immersive, but still simple enough for anyone to try. It does not try to fully copy real-world flying physics in detail. Instead, it focuses on allowing users to travel visually across the planet in an easy way.

A flight simulator is not completely new for Google Earth. A similar feature already existed in 2007, but it was hidden inside the desktop version of the software. At that time, users had to download the application before they could access it. The new version removes that barrier by making the tool available directly in a browser. The updated simulator is part of a wider effort to bring desktop features into the web version of Google Earth. According to Google, the feature was added “just for fun” alongside other improvements. 

Accessing the simulator is done directly through Google Earth in a browser. Once inside, users can open the tools menu and activate the flight simulator with a few clicks. The experience immediately places them above the map, ready to begin flying over the virtual globe. Instead of complex setup steps, the tool is designed to feel quick and intuitive to launch.

Control of the aircraft is mainly handled through simple keyboard inputs. Arrow keys are used to steer and adjust direction, while speed can be increased or reduced with basic controls such as Page Up and Page Down. Users can also switch between mouse and keyboard input depending on what feels easier. Even with these simplified controls, the simulator still requires some practice before flights feel smooth and stable.

Although the simulator is easy to access, many users find it difficult to control at first. Small mistakes in movement can quickly lead to crashes or loss of direction. When this happens, the simulation simply pauses and allows the user to restart from a safe position. This removes pressure and makes experimentation easier. Online reactions show a mix of excitement and frustration. Some users enjoy the challenge, while others admit that controlling the aircraft is not easy. Still, the focus of the tool is not accuracy but entertainment and exploration. Even when flights end in crashes, users can immediately try again without penalty.

The flight simulator can appeal to people who enjoy discovering new places in a different way. It allows users to fly over destinations they may want to visit in real life. This can help them understand geography, distances and landscapes from a unique perspective. It also offers a playful way to explore regions that might otherwise be difficult to reach. The experience depends on internet performance, since images and 3D data load dynamically during flight. In areas with slower connections, some details may appear with a delay. Despite this, the simulator still provides a smooth overview of the planet for most users. It turns Google Earth into more than a map, creating a simple but engaging virtual travel experience.

L’article Google Earth launches free browser-based flight simulator for virtual travellers est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Self-driving taxis, also known as robotaxis, have been rapidly expanding across China and the U.S. for years. According to data gathered by the International Energy Agency, 8,000 such driverless cars loaded with sensors were driving across some 25 cities in 2025.

In Europe, however, things are looking very different. Aside from a couple of isolated pilot schemes, the self-driving vehicle industry is lagging behind. A variety of testing permits, approval procedures, and data requirements have proven difficult to overcome for companies specialising in the matter.

A European approach

Yet things are about to change. On Monday, 8 June 2026, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas and 17 European transport ministers signed a declaration promising to work together in order to make large-scale cross-border testing of autonomous vehicles a possibility. Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden have agreed to work on common approval principles and coordinated permitting procedures.

The initiative is expected to boost the sector across the European continent, although a handful of European countries were already carrying out pilot programs before the declaration was signed.

Zagreb, for example, had been doing robotaxi trials involving 10 autonomous taxis since 8 April 2026. According to Uber, which teamed up with the Chinese company Pony.ai and Croatian startup Verne to make the trial possible, the Croatian capital is emerging as the first market for commercial robotaxi service in Europe.

Meanwhile, three trials are scheduled to take place in London over the course of 2026. Three separate operators are behind the initiative: Waymo, Wayve (which will be partnering with Uber), and Apollo Go.

Furthermore, Stellantis and Pony.ai will be launching a trial in Luxembourg, WeRide and Uber have announced a trial in Madrid, Munich will be welcoming self-driving taxis powered by Momenta, and Apollo Go and Swiss Post are working on a pilot programme in Switzerland.

In an interview with press agency AFP, industry specialist Herve de Treglode said both London and Madrid are ready for driverless vehicles, while commercial services could be expected by 2027. However, he also mentioned a potential hurdle for a smooth roll-out across Europe: while commercial companies want to target highly profitable city centres, local authorities would prefer for them to concentrate on poorly connected suburban and rural areas. Only time will tell if those contrasting visions turn out to be compatible.

The future of self-driving taxis

While just 8,000 driverless taxis were operational in China and the United States in 2025, the industry is expected to boom over the next decade. The International Energy Agency estimates there will be between 700,000 and 3 million robotaxis across 40 to 80 major cities worldwide by 2035, while consultancy agency BCG projects approximately 3 million robotaxis by the same date (some 850,000 of which should be based in China), and Goldman Sachs is aiming for 6 million vehicles.

L’article Europe approves cross-border testing for self-driving taxis in 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The new service has officially rolled out in Indonesia, Japan, and the United States, signalling TikTok’s growing ambitions to move beyond entertainment and social discovery into travel commerce and in-app transactions.

TikTok GO integrates booking capabilities into the way users already consume content on the platform. Travellers can discover accommodation, restaurants, attractions, and activities through short videos, search functions, local feeds, and location pages. Once something catches their attention, users can view details, check availability, and complete a booking in just a few taps without leaving the app.

The company says the feature is designed to bridge the gap between inspiration and action, turning viral travel content into immediate purchasing opportunities.

“Every day on TikTok, millions of people discover where to eat, where to stay, and what to do next,” said Adam Presser, CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture. “TikTok GO connects that moment of inspiration directly to the businesses behind it, and that’s good for creators, good for local businesses, and good for communities.”

TikTok GO was first introduced in Indonesia in late April through a partnership with Tokopedia, one of the country’s largest technology and e-commerce companies.

In the United States, TikTok has partnered with major travel and experiences brands, including Booking.com, Expedia, Viator, GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Trip.com.

@tiktokgo_us Travel, create content and earn on TikTok GO just like @Maureen | Family Travel Join our Discord channel to learn more! #tiktokgo #travel #hotel #traveltiktok ♬ original sound – TikTok GO

According to TikTok, users must be at least 18 years old to complete bookings through the service.

The move reflects a broader trend in the travel industry where social media increasingly shapes consumer behaviour and destination choices. Platforms such as TikTok have become influential discovery tools, particularly among younger travellers seeking authentic recommendations and experience-led travel inspiration.

For travel companies and local tourism operators, TikTok GO could provide direct access to audiences already engaging with destination content. The company says the feature will help businesses reach new customers through TikTok’s ecosystem of creators, videos, searches, and location-based discovery.

GetYourGuide described the partnership as a major shift in how experiences are marketed and booked online.

“Whether it’s visiting the Vatican or checking out a cooking class in Tokyo, we’re collapsing the time between inspiration and action,” said Johannes Reck, co-founder and CEO of GetYourGuide. “With over 200,000 experiences across 12,000 destinations, GetYourGuide is well-positioned to power that moment at scale, giving our operators – many of them small, local businesses – direct access to a massive, travel-hungry audience.”

@tiktokgo_us If you want to turn your travel passion into – look no further! Join TikTok GO today and start earning commissions! Tag someone that should be a TikTok GO creator! #tiktokgo #tiktokgocreator #traveltiktok #tiktokaffiliate ♬ original sound – TikTok GO

Reck added that experiences are increasingly becoming the main motivation for travel rather than an additional activity once travellers arrive at a destination.

Booking.com also welcomed the collaboration, saying it would make it easier for users to move from discovering a destination in a video to booking a stay instantly.

TikTok says the launch is only the beginning of its plans to connect users with businesses and experiences directly through the platform, building on the model already established by TikTok Shop in retail commerce.

As travel inspiration continues to shift from traditional search engines and guidebooks towards creator-led content, TikTok GO may further accelerate the blending of entertainment, social media, and online travel booking into a single digital experience.

L’article TikTok enters travel booking market with launch of TikTok GO  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The feature works by integrating travel options into the existing TikTok experience. Users can discover hotels and activities through videos, search results, and location-based pages. When they find something they are interested in, they can view details, check availability, and complete a booking without leaving the app. TikTok GO is available only for users aged 18 and older who want to book travel-related services. The system is designed to reduce the number of steps between inspiration and purchase.

TikTok GO includes partnerships with several major travel companies, including Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com, Viator, GetYourGuide, and Tiqets. These partners provide access to hotels and a wide range of activities across different destinations. GetYourGuide alone offers more than 200,000 experiences in over 12,000 destinations, showing the scale of content available through the platform. Pricing is set by each partner individually, depending on the service offered.

The launch highlights how TikTok is becoming more than a platform for travel inspiration. It now aims to connect discovery directly with booking, turning short videos into actionable travel decisions. The idea is to shorten the time between seeing a destination and booking it. This approach reflects a broader trend where social media platforms are increasingly involved in the travel planning process. TikTok has already tested similar booking features with a limited group of users in the United States before this wider rollout.

Creators also play an important role in TikTok GO. Travel content creators can connect their videos directly to bookable services and earn commissions through these links. This creates new opportunities for creators to monetise travel-related content beyond traditional brand deals. Businesses and tourism providers benefit from direct access to users who are already interested in travel inspiration. The system connects creators, travellers, and service providers in one ecosystem inside the app.

Users in the U.S. can now use TikTok GO to book hotels, tours, and experiences directly on the platform.

We’re making it easier to turn discovery into action. From your feed to your next destination, book in just a few taps.

Details: https://t.co/N7dF9Jwdos

— TikTok USDS Joint Venture (@tiktokusdsjv) May 12, 2026

The launch also reflects a wider shift in how travel is discovered and booked online. Social media platforms are increasingly influencing travel decisions, with many users relying on content to plan trips. Industry data suggests that social media inspiration often leads to travel-related purchases or decisions, although the path to booking is not always immediate. Travel remains a complex purchase, and users may still compare options before confirming a trip. TikTok GO aims to simplify this process by reducing friction between discovery and booking within the same platform.

TikTok GO is currently available only in the United States, but similar initiatives already exist in markets such as Indonesia and Japan. The company has also been expanding its travel-related advertising tools, showing a broader interest in the travel sector. With this launch, TikTok positions itself more directly within the travel booking ecosystem, moving closer to online travel agencies and established booking platforms.

L’article TikTok rolls out in-app hotel and experience bookings est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The project is designed as a phased experiment rather than a simple short-term test. Teams will first analyse airport operations in detail to identify where robots can be used safely and effectively. This will be followed by repeated trials that simulate real working conditions on the ground. The idea is to gradually build a system where robots and humans work together in a structured way. In the long term, the partners hope to create a more sustainable model for airport operations. 

The robots will initially be used for physically demanding tasks such as loading and unloading cargo containers and moving equipment on the tarmac. These machines are built in a humanoid form, meaning they can move in a way that is similar to humans and operate in spaces designed for people. This allows them to work within existing airport infrastructure without major changes. During demonstrations, a robot measuring around 130 centimetres was seen carefully pushing cargo onto a conveyor belt and even waving to a colleague. The robots can operate for two to three hours before needing to recharge, and they are currently controlled remotely by human operators, mirroring human movements. 

One of the main reasons behind this initiative is the growing labour shortage in Japan’s aviation sector. The country is dealing with a declining working-age population while at the same time welcoming a rising number of international visitors. More than seven million tourists arrived in Japan in just the first two months of 2026, adding pressure to airport services. Ground handling work is often physically demanding and requires long shifts, making it harder to attract and retain staff. By introducing robots, airlines hope to reduce the physical strain on workers and maintain smooth operations. 

The issue goes beyond aviation and reflects a broader national challenge. Japan may need more than 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to meet its economic goals as the domestic workforce continues to shrink. This creates political and social pressure, as immigration levels remain a sensitive topic. In this context, automation and robotics are increasingly seen as part of the solution. The use of humanoid robots in airports is therefore not only about efficiency, but also about responding to long-term demographic changes. 

The technology behind the robots combines artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and remote operation. This allows them to perform tasks that require both strength and precision while still being supervised by human operators. GMO Internet Group, the parent company involved in the project, has even declared 2026 as the “First Year of Humanoids”. The aim is to accelerate the use of this technology across different industries, not just aviation. Airports are being used as a testing ground because they present real-world challenges that require adaptable solutions. 

Robots are already present in some Japanese airports, where they are used for tasks such as security patrols and customer service. The introduction of humanoid robots for ground handling is, therefore, a continuation of an ongoing trend rather than a completely new development. What makes this project different is the focus on physically demanding back-end operations that have traditionally relied on human labour. These tasks are less visible to passengers but are essential for keeping flights running on time. 

Japan’s labor shortage is so severe it burned through its entire 5-year quota for foreign restaurant workers in record time.

The food service sector (restaurants, hospital/nursing home meal services) hit its 50,000 cap early – new Specified Skilled Worker visa applications…

— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) April 26, 2026

Despite the growing role of automation, human workers will remain essential in airport operations. Certain responsibilities, especially those related to safety and decision-making, cannot be handled by robots. Officials involved in the project have made it clear that the goal is to support employees rather than replace them. By taking over repetitive and physically heavy tasks, robots could help improve working conditions and reduce fatigue. Human oversight will continue to be necessary to ensure that all operations meet strict safety standards.

The trial at Haneda Airport reflects a wider shift in the global aviation industry. Airports around the world are exploring new technologies to handle increasing passenger numbers and improve efficiency. These include biometric boarding systems, automated baggage handling, and autonomous vehicles. Humanoid robots could become another tool in this transition, especially in locations where labour shortages are becoming more severe. Their ability to work in human-designed environments gives them an advantage over more specialised machines.

In the future, the role of these robots could expand beyond cargo handling. Japan Airlines is already considering using them for tasks such as cleaning aircraft cabins and operating ground support equipment. As the technology improves, robots may become more autonomous and capable of interacting more naturally with both staff and passengers. If the current trial proves successful, similar systems could be introduced at other airports in Japan and beyond. This would mark an important step towards a more automated and flexible airport environment.

L’article Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to trial humanoid robots for ground operations est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Offering shareholders $90 per share in cash, or the equivalent value in its stock, Amazon described the Globalstar takeover as part of its “long-term vision for space-based connectivity” and said a “next generation” satellite system could follow by 2028. Despite Bezos’ well-documented ambitions in the space race, his Leo network is seriously behind competitors, with only 200 satellites at present playing catch-up with Elon Musk’s Starlink (which boasts more than 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, serving over 10 million customers already).

Leo already boasts a contract with US airline Delta, a contract recently hailed by Andy Jassy, President and CEO of Amazon, as “a great example of the impact and scale” the company’s technology could achieve, adding: “People increasingly want to stay connected wherever they are in the world, and Leo’s speed and reliability is going to have a big impact for businesses, governments, and consumers. It’s going to make the in-flight experience so much better, and it’s going to change what’s possible while traveling.”

Leo is slated to grow by another 3,200 satellites in Earth’s low orbit by 2029, Amazon has promised, but approximately half of those need to be deployed before ​July to meet regulatory requirements.

Amazon Leo + @Apple

In parallel, we have also signed a long-term agreement with Apple for Amazon Leo to power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models, allowing users to text emergency services, message friends and family, request roadside assistance, and… pic.twitter.com/UujASAfYgT

— Amazon Leo (@Amazonleo) April 14, 2026

Globalstar will add only around 50 satellites into the mix but its appeal to Amazon lies in worldwide infrastructure, including in California, Georgia, and Louisiana in the United States, as well as in Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, and Toulouse. It also serves Apple Watch and iPhone with emergency SOS call functionality—a role that will continue under the Amazon deal, made possible by Globalstar’s existing low-data Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology that allows devices to connect  in limited cellular coverage zones without ground-based cellular towers. Acquiring that D2D capability is being seen as a coup for Amazon by commentators.

Leo is not Bezos’ only satellite venture however. Blue Origin, his rocket company, is aiming to launch 5,400 satellites by 2027, as part of its new TeraWave communications network, designed to capture the business, data centre, and governmental market with download speeds of up to six terabits that put rivals to shame.

Meanwhile, competition regulators such as the US Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr have signalled an “open-minded” positive stance on the merger, which is being viewed as a boost to innovation in the field of satellite communications. The markets also responded well: Globalstar’s share value rose more than 10%, on top of a 6% gain over the two weeks proceeding the deal. Amazon’s stock also went up, by 3%.

L’article Amazon plays catch up with Starlink with $11.6 billion purchase of Globalstar est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Multi-modal platform Omio already features among Travel Tomorrow’s must-have travel apps for 2026. It serves a whopping one billion users annually, allowing them to plan journeys across 47 countries and multiple modes of transport. It has now launched the additional agentic capability of in-app ChatGPT, describing the move in a press release as “a key step in Omio’s ambition to become a leading AI-native platform.” The breakthrough offers passengers the possibility to search and compare travel options in real time through conversational prompts.

Omio highlights that the development comes at a time when “over half of travellers want artificial intelligence to plan and book their trips.” The firm says it will meet demand from ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users through its global network of more than 3,000 transport partners.

“We are enabling thousands of travel providers to be discovered in new ways and to extend their reach within a global, intelligent ecosystem,” said Omio’s founder and CEO, Naren Shaam, hailing the app’s launch as “a step towards building the infrastructure that will shape how billions of journeys are discovered and booked worldwide now, and in the future.”

While third-party search and compare travel booking platforms already exist, they often still require consumers to switch between multiple sites and tick multiple checkboxes and filters. Omio’s ChatGPT tool merges a global travel inventory with advanced large language models, following a year-long collaboration with artificial general intelligence mission, OpenAI, and now allows users to “ask the same questions they would pose to a travel agent” to “instantly explore routes, prices, and options across multiple modes before booking,” the firm claims.

Omio provides examples that it says show off the natural style of questions that can be asked, including:

• What’s the fastest and cheapest route from Rome to Florence this Saturday?
• Should I take a train or a flight from Paris to Barcelona?
• I need to get from São Paulo to Rio tomorrow morning. Should I take a bus or fly?

Promising “more exciting announcements to follow,” Tomas Vocetka, Omio’s Chief Technology Officer, welcomed an era of “intelligent travel,” that would see consumers benefitting from technology that “anticipates your journey before you even start.”

The Omio ChatGPT app is out now and available worldwide in English. 

L’article Omio launches ChatGPT app bringing conversational AI travel planning to millions est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Hilton AI Planner, now in beta on Hilton’s official website, functions as a generative AI concierge that uses conversational intelligence to assist guests in discovering hotels across the company’s global portfolio, comparing amenities and crafting travel plans. The tool is initially being rolled out to a limited segment of site traffic and will expand to more users over time. 

Rather than relying on traditional search filters and menus, the AI Planner lets users describe their preferences or travel ideas using natural language. In response, the system provides recommendations on destinations, property options, and relevant hotel features, offering a more intuitive interface to guide people during the planning process. 

In its announcement, Hilton said the tool “uses conversational intelligence to deliver real‑time responses” and aims to “help travelers plan memorable stays” with the company’s hotels worldwide. 

Michael Leidinger, senior vice president and chief information officer at Hilton, described the launch as another milestone in the brand’s innovation strategy. “For decades, Hilton has been at the forefront of hospitality innovation — from the award‑winning Hilton Honors app to the most widely available Digital Key and the industry-first Confirmed Connecting Room,” Leidinger said, underscoring Hilton’s ongoing investment in digital solutions. “The launch of the Hilton AI Planner marks another step forward in our journey to reimagine the travel experience for Hilton guests. This is just the beginning and a preview of where we’re going, as we continue to focus on providing thoughtful, purposeful innovation that empowers travelers,” he added.

Hilton’s announcement comes amid a broader industry trend toward integrating AI and other tech tools into the customer journey. Hotel companies and online platforms are increasingly deploying conversational planning assistants and digital support features to facilitate the travel planning process.

The rollout reflects industry observations that hotels are increasingly adopting smart technologies and spatial intelligence to improve efficiency and enrich customer experience. However, a recent survey of hospitality operators suggests that while tools such as smart room systems and AI concierge chatbots are becoming more widespread, many hotel guests still prefer some degree of direct human service, particularly for check-in and other front-of-house interactions.

Hilton has said it will monitor user feedback as the AI Planner evolves, using insights from early testers to expand the tool’s capabilities. The company views this beta phase as part of a “test‑and‑learn” approach that could shape further enhancements to the planning tool and Hilton’s broader digital ecosystem. 

L’article Hilton rolls out AI concierge to help travellers plan stays est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

At the end of 2024, Chinese company DeepSeek launched its much-talked-about V3 AI model, followed by its R1 model at the start of 2025. As tech news site The Information believes the next-generation V4 model will soon hit the market, rival companies have launched their new developments en masse.

Some of the most important launches include those of Alibaba, ByteDance, and Zhipu. China is generally considered to be the most important competitor to the U.S. concerning AI models, as DeepSeek even became the top-rated free application available on Apple’s App Store in the U.S. after V3 hit the market, overtaking ChatGPT.

Qwen Intelligence Files: All-in-One Vision. Alibaba's Qwen-3.5 Plus is here! With native multimodality, it reads, hears, and sees all at once. Unified intelligence for any case.
Coding plan now just $5/mo.
:https://t.co/XDafsi6Bhx#AlibabaCloud #Qwen #Qwen35Plus… pic.twitter.com/gpIdB48ieA

— Alibaba Cloud (@alibaba_cloud) February 19, 2026

Alibaba: Qwen 3.5

Qwen 3.5 hit the market on 16 February 2026, and according to the e-commerce company, it can understand text, images, and videos across 200 languages. Moreover, it should be able to deploy AI agents – indecent decision-making and task-executing systems – five times faster than its competitors, while being 60% cheaper than Qwen 2.5.

“It demonstrates outstanding results across a full range of benchmark evaluations, including reasoning, coding, agent capabilities, and multimodal understanding, empowering developers and enterprises to achieve significantly greater productivity”, the company said in a press release.

Qwen 3.5 is available both in an open-weight and a hosted version.

Qwen3.5-397B-A17B is here: The first open-weight model in the Qwen3.5 series.

Native multimodal. Trained for real-world agents.
Powered by hybrid linear attention + sparse MoE and large-scale RL environment scaling.
8.6x–19.0x decoding throughput vs Qwen3-Max
201… pic.twitter.com/Pq0qIk54MB

— Qwen (@Alibaba_Qwen) February 16, 2026

ByteDance: Doubao 2.0 and SeeDance 2.0

ByteDance, the company behind social media platform TikTok, did not release one but two new AI models. Doubao 2.0 marks the second version of its chatbot and should be able to perform similarly to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Aside from that, ByteDance also released the second version of its image-to-video and text-to-video app, SeeDance 2.0. Users can easily create immersive audio and video. However, the American Motion Picture Association already released a statement criticising the AI model.

“In a single day, the Chinese AI service Seedance 2.0 has engaged in unauthorised use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale. By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity”, the association said. ByteDance told the BBC it would be strengthening the current safeguards to protect intellectual copyright.

Zhipu: GLM-5

Zhipu’s open-source GLM-5 model is said to show better coding capabilities and an increased ability to perform long-running agent tasks compared to its predecessor. GLM-5 is engineered for agentic intelligence, advanced multi-step reasoning, and frontier-level performance across coding, creative writing, and complex problem-solving, according to the company.

When Zhipu went public on the Hong Kong stock exchange in January 2026, it raised HKD 4.35 billion (€465 million), which will be put into the further development of GLM-5. Due to its popularity and an insufficient number of chip clusters, however, some GLM-5 users have been experiencing some delays.

Introducing GLM-5: From Vibe Coding to Agentic Engineering

GLM-5 is built for complex systems engineering and long-horizon agentic tasks. Compared to GLM-4.5, it scales from 355B params (32B active) to 744B (40B active), with pre-training data growing from 23T to 28.5T tokens.… pic.twitter.com/uGYQUjIbbs

— Z.ai (@Zai_org) February 11, 2026

Other Chinese companies to have launched their AI models in the days before the Chinese New Year are MiniMax, NetEase Youdao,  Tencent, Dexmal, and iFlytek.

L’article Chinese companies introduce new AI models ahead of Lunar New Year 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

An AI-powered blog on Tasmania Tours’ website publicised the attractions of “Weldborough Hot Springs,” a forest wellness destination supposedly located among the forests of Australia’s archipelago state. CNN has seen screenshots of the blog pages, promoting a “peaceful escape” in the” tranquil haven.”

The blog has since been taken down because Weldborough, in northeastern Tasmania, has no hot springs. Instead, it is bordered by the North George River—a “freezing” course of water where tin and sapphire prospectors wear wetsuits, according to Kristy Probert, owner of the localWeldborough Hotel. She has had to disappoint “droves” of visitors arriving in the town seeking the “untouched” geothermal springs “rich in therapeutic minerals,” that the post described, as reported by ABC News. The non-existent “secluded forest retreat” was such a “favourite” according to the fake AI information, that it had been ranked in a list of the “7 Best Hot Springs Tasmania Experiences for 2026.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Australian Tours and Cruises (@australian.tours.cruises)

Weldborough is not easy to reach, so tourists making a special trip there for the hot springs only to find they were an AI hallucination became increasingly angry at their wasted journey. Australian Tours and Cruises, the firm that published the AI blog, confirmed to ABC, “our AI has messed up completely,” but insisted they are a “legit” company. In late January 2026, they described “the online hate and damage to our business reputation” as “soul-destroying.”

The AI hallucination the tour company put out has not only wasted people’s time and travel budget, but also, experts note, sowed potentially dangerous misinformation, encouraging visitors to enter low-temperature waters and to explore remote parts of Tasmania on foot, despite the region’s lack of mobile phone and data coverage.

Elsewhere, AI has featured non-existent hiking trails on hazardous routes, where the mapping is fatally inaccurate. Another reason for caution is that as AI travel planning tools proliferate, so do the ways in which scammers might try to use them for darker purposes. It’s a game of cat-and-mouse, with legitimate developers trying to find ways to stop swindlers in turn.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Australian Tours and Cruises (@australian.tours.cruises)

But Australian Tours and Cruises are far from alone in attempting to harness AI. Airlines like Delta now propose AI “butlers.” Trip.com has developed an AI genie, Kayak began supporting AI plugins in 2023, and other search giants like Booking.com, Expedia, and Google are constantly evolving ChatGPT-powered AI features in response to apparent demand. Gemini’s “Gems” is supposed to offer a personalised travel guide service, making trip planning more intuitive. Even Google warns that results are “for illustrative purposes and may vary,” adding: “Check responses for accuracy. Internet and a browser for setup. Available in select languages, and to users 18+.”

Whether scams or hallucinations or so-called “AI slop”, nearly all AI itineraries contain errors, Hardy highlights, saying “90% of itineraries that AI generates have mistakes in them.”

Yet, around four in 10 tourists now use AI for travel advice or itineraries, says Anne Hardy, adjunct professor in tourism at Southern Cross University, Australia, telling CNN people “trust AI more than review sites.” Hardy’s findings echo research by the UK travel industry association, ABTA, whose 2025 survey revealed the proportion of holidaymakers using artificial intelligence (AI) to plan their trips had doubled over the year.

L’article Tourists seek fake hot springs in Australia, following AI misinformation est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.