This is a new and quite annoying phenomenon: hundreds of new travel guidebooks are currently appearing on Amazon for a wide variety of destinations. The problem? They are generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and only serve to make easy money. There is no added value for the reader and future visitor to these travel destinations; some of them even contain false information! In terms of price, these books are on a similar level as existing travel guides and some have have professional-looking covers and very attractive descriptions of the content… which unfortunately does not correspond to what is actually contained.
How do you recognize fake travel guides if you have ner been to the destination?
Check out the preview on Amazon! Typical of AI-generated travel guides:
- Wordy descriptions, with “maxims” and expressions such as: ultimate, captivating, flawless, lush, authentic, untouched,
- It wants you to assume that it is up to date: the current year is often mentioned in the title (2024 – or now 2025)
- The “look into the book” or the reading sample only shows a small excerpt… but it does also show that there is not much concrete information, just generalities.
- A lot of promises are made about the content in the description. But the book is only between 75-100 pages long (shortest version 40 pages, longest 140) with huge line spacing, big fonts and large white spaces.
- Book reviews of the book (or others by the same author) are bad to lousy, especially when it is clear that the book was actually purchased.
- The author has published a large number of travel guides within a very short period of time (within a year). For a wide variety of destinations worldwide. Maybe in several languages.
We looked at some travel guides to Khao Lak, which we know well – and found the following:
Easy-to-read blah blah is typical of AI-generated texts. Here are a few examples in German and English:
„Are you prepared to set off on an amazing excursion to a hidden paradise along Thailand’s stunning coastline? Khao Lak is your next must-visit location if the draw of immaculate beaches, verdant national parks, and a rich cultural tapestry appeals to your spirit of adventure…“
„Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Khao Lak, where pristine beaches meet lush jungles, and vibrant local culture intertwines with the serene beauty of the Andaman Sea. This meticulously crafted travel guide is your passport to an unforgettable adventure, offering in-depth insights into Khao Lak’s hidden gems, top attractions, and charming villages. Unveil the secrets of Khao Sok National Park, explore the Similan Islands, and wander through the historic streets of Old Takua Pa Town.“
„Navigate with Confidence: Equipped with detailed maps, insider tips, and comprehensive itineraries, „Khao Lak Unveiled“ ensures you navigate the region with confidence. Uncover the best local eateries, explore hidden waterfalls, and dive into the vibrant underwater world, all while experiencing the warmth of Thai hospitality. Insider Insights and Local Gems: What sets this guide apart is its dedication to unveiling the lesser-known treasures that Khao Lak cradles. Engage with the locals in bustling markets, discover secluded beaches away from the tourist crowds, and delve into the cultural tapestry of Takuapa’s historic streets.“
„In unserem Khao Lak Reiseführer 2024 nehmen wir Sie mit auf eine fesselnde Erkundungstour eines der bestgehüteten Geheimnisse Thailands. Von Adrenalinschüben wie Surfen und Tauchen bis hin zu ruhigen Momenten, die Sie in der Schönheit der Natur genießen können, ist dieser Reiseführer Ihr Pass in das ultimative Abenteuer. Entdecken Sie Insider-Tipps zu den besten Orten, um authentische thailändische Küche zu essen, sich in luxuriösen Resorts zu entspannen und sich in das lokale Leben einzutauchen …„
No content / no useful information
Lots of wordy blah blah and almost non-existent content. The books are often written in very large font with wide line spacing – this stretches the content. Much of the information contained is generalities that can apply to any travel destination (“have the emergency numbers for local rescue services ready,” without specifying the numbers). There are frequent repetitions. It has plot descriptions and chapter announcements with big promises and no content at all! Like someone (yes, the AI) created a framework and no one bothered to actually fill it out. Most clearly visible here in the book Exploring Khao Lak 2024 Edition: Khao Lak Odyssey: Embrace the Tranquil Shores, Discover Hidden Wonders, and Craft Your Ultimate Thailand Adventure – by Agatha Josiane where the author overlooked the AI’s instructions to make the book a little more personal:
Translation errors and strange constructions:
Translation errors can be quite strange and amusing and indicate that no one (human) has looked at it: Found in an English book: Takua Dad – instead of Takua Pa / „The Man with the brilliant firearm“ – instead of „the Man with the Golden Gun “ / Boycott Bang Sak – instead of Ban Bang Niang (a place name) and Cushion Thai – instead of Pad Thai (a dish). Of course this happened by translating Thai names into English, but you should know what you’re writing about?
Incorrect information and content errors
AIs apparently tend not just to decorate things, but to invent them. I find this disastrous for a travel guide. Here are examples from various books:
Khao Lak Travel Guide 2024 – Felix B. Ott: Of the 2 restaurant recommendations, one cannot be found on Google, the second (Somsri) does exist, but is not on the coast as described. One of the hotels mentioned is not even in Khao Lak, another is not on the sea as described, but inland. La Vela in Khao Lak doesn’t have a rooftop bar… (that would be at Happy Snapper)
Khao Lak Travel Guide 2024: “Khao Lak Unveiled by Jarad Smith: A Bangsak Elephant Camp for ethical wildlife watching? Where should that be? The Klong Mudong Mangroves are located in the very south of Phuket, temples at Phang Nga and Ko Panji are listed as if they were in Khao Lak. The “historical marker at Bang Sak Beach” is there because of the tsunami and not because of the arrival of a Thai king. The Happy Snapper was never by the sea, the Boatyard was not in a boat-shaped building, there is no Murphys Irish pub or O’Reillys and the Nang Thongs supermarket is described as a night market with food stalls.
KHAO LAK TRAVEL GUIDE 2024 – Asger R. Mads: Error: Bang Niang beach is stated as untouched (haha!), Khao Lak is not an island „if you want to save money, visit the island between…“. Shuttle bus from the airport to the main road? Nope. There are no tuk tuks, they are called songthaew here, the car rental from Hertz, Avis are not in Khao Lak. The Tsunami Memorial Museum is housed IN the former police boat (no)… the Khao Lak Monkey Temple refers to Wat Suwan Kuha in Phang Nga. There are „links“ without a website, „he doesn’t do a museum“ as a tip under culture and history, bread (for the Thai dishes) – and good luck finding the described restaurants „holiday service“ and „source“ and „little Marghe“. “ from the restaurant recommendations! In the chapter how to avoid scams: tailor scams (only experienced on Phuket), tuktuk scams don’t exist in Khao Lak either (Phuket or Bangkok) and there are no jet skis here either.
Exploring Khao Lak 2024 Edition – by Agatha Josiane: There are no jet skis, the zipline has been closed since 2020, the beach descriptions are as short as they are incorrect. Busy nightlife? Khao Lak Kite Festival?? Snorkeling from the beach?
Anyone who relies on such travel guides will rightly be disappointed!
False images
One of the AI travel guides for Khao Lak (now at least no longer available on Amazon) had a picture of the Eiffel Tower (!) on the cover – you can still spot it in the top picture. But other images (if they exist at all) in the books are often incorrect or at least misleading: A beach with umbrellas and loungers – these have not been allowed on the beach itself for several years. Many titles show Phang Nga Bay or Khao Sok National Park – they are admittedly very pretty, but not Khao Lak itself. But I found this best (or worst?):
Image: great nature parks and ethical animal watching in…Khao Lak? (Image from the travel guide Khao Lak Travel Guide 2024: „Khao Lak Unveiled: Your Companion to Exquisite Beaches, Hidden Gems, and Authentic Adventures in 2024“ – by Jarad Smith) – No. Cheetahs are found in Africa, not Asia.
The fantastic „additional content“: the travel planner
The travel planners advertised on the cover are… often really laughable. Both the descriptions of what you can do on the 3 or 7 days (attend a traditional Thai dance performance at a local theater? where???) and the table where the days are given like this: My, Tue, Marriage, Thu , Fr, Sa, Sun (see picture, from a german book).
Some of them are better presented now, but – I really ask myself: does that do anything for you?
These fake travel guides are a complete waste of money and cast a bad light on real books designed by dedicated people, which may also be self-published. We put a lot of effort in creating and updating our book for Khao Lak, even got the ISBN number registrated, so we can deliver it into bookstores. We take the time every year (since 2016) to check the information, add new places, apply the changes, have it looked at by a (private) editor etc. … and these books are an affront.
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