Decision delegation to GenAI agents in travel planning: Responsible AI signals, delegation levels, and the transparency paradox

Roy, Sanjit K., Singh, Gaganpreet ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2807-2511, Rasoolimanesh, S. Mostafa, Das, Ronnie and Tehrani, Ali N. (2026) Decision delegation to GenAI agents in travel planning: Responsible AI signals, delegation levels, and the transparency paradox. Tourism Management Perspectives, 64: 101512. Elsevier B.V. . ISSN 2211-9736 Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2026.101512

[thumbnail of Decision delegation to GenAI agents in travel planning.pdf]
Preview
Text
Decision delegation to GenAI agents in travel planning.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is becoming an integral part of travel planning. This fundamental transformation is changing the definition of travel decision delegation, calling for fresh research into responsible AI in tourism. Drawing on agency theory, trust theory and decision delegation framework, this study conceptualises five responsible AI characteristics (reliability, fairness, trustworthiness, accountability, transparency) as evaluative signals for travellers to assess GenAI across three decision delegation levels, i.e., attribute set, choice set, and final decision. Using a multi-method approach, we analyse data collected from 421 travellers. Findings suggest that reliability and accountability are consistent drivers of delegation across all levels, whereas trustworthiness is a threshold condition that becomes significant at the attribute level. We also found that excessive transparency can lead to cognitive overload and reduce willingness to GenAI decision delegation. Our findings encourage future research into responsible AI development in understanding system complexity, algorithmic explainability and traveller delegation confidence.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Accountability | Automated travel planning | Decision delegation | Generative AI | GenAI | Reliability | Responsible AI | Transparency | Trust
Subjects: Physical, Life and Health Sciences > Computer Science
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Planning and Development
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Communication and Transportation
Vol/Issue no. published date: November 2026
Depositing User: Mr. Syed Anas Ali
Date Deposited: 15 Sep 2026 06:55
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2026 06:55
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2026.101512
Funders: Edith Cowan University, Australia
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/12594

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item