- An AI-generated video fooled tourists in Malaysia into traveling miles to visit a non-existent destination.
- The proliferation of deepfakes in travel is causing confusion, eroding trust in what we see online.
- The phenomenon demonstrates how AI transforms the tourist experience, creating fictional realities that are difficult to distinguish from the real ones.
The advancement of artificial intelligence is transforming the way we plan and experience tourism. As image and video generation tools become more sophisticated, a new challenge arises: difficulty in differentiating between real destinations and those created purely by algorithms.
En Malaysia, an elderly couple He was the protagonist of a case that has gone around the world, when They embarked on a long journey from Kuala Lumpur convinced that they would discover a new cable car attraction. promoted on social media through a completely fictitious video.
The case of Kuak Skyride: when AI invents real destinations
The story began when The couple watched a report on TikTok, produced by the virtual channel 'TV Rakyat', in which a presenter supposedly described and toured the Kuak Skyride, located in the state of Perak.
The video, impeccably edited and with testimonies of supposedly satisfied tourists, seemed authentic: it showed panoramic views of lush forests and interviews with happy visitors. However, Both the place and the journalist were creations generated by the Google's Veo3 AI engine, detail that the protagonists overlooked, despite the presence of the tool's logo on the screen.
After driving for more than three hours, the couple arrived in the town hoping to enjoy the cable car ride. When they asked about the attraction at the hotel, The initial confusion gave way to surprise and disbelief: The Kuak Skyride had never existedThe bewildered staff had to explain that what they had seen on the internet was the work of artificial intelligence. According to the hotel employee, the tourists initially resisted the explanation, even going so far as to file a complaint against the reporter before discovering she was a fictional character.
The emotional impact: there was no scam, but there was disappointment
This episode, which may sound anecdotal, reveals How AI threatens to erode traveler confidenceIt was not an economic scam, but it was a deep disappointment For those who still believe that what they see on the screen represents reality. The expansion of this type of deepfake content is alarming: according to the digital identity company Signicat, Fraud attempts based on artificially generated videos have grown by 2.137% in just three years, already representing 6,5% of all frauds detected in 2025.
The problem is not exclusive to tourism in Malaysia, but The relationship between AI and travel is intensified in an era where the "Instagramification" of destinations influences travelers' decisions.Now, the line between influencer-manipulated scenarios and those directly fabricated by AI is becoming increasingly blurred. Unrealistic expectations and a tendency to prioritize image over cultural authenticity can lead, as in this case, to displacement driven by digital fictions.
How to detect fake AI-generated tourist content
In order not to fall victim to such deceptions, it is essential Compare information with official sources and carefully observe possible digital clues, such as AI tool logos or visual anomalies in promotional videos. It's also a good idea not to blindly trust what circulates on social media and, when in doubt, consult recognized tourism organizations.
The incident involving the Malaysian couple reflects the dilemmas facing global travelers in the age of artificial intelligence. The ease with which fictional tourist environments can be generated raises questions about the need for new digital education strategies and the creation of reliable verification mechanismsAs technology continues to advance at this pace, being informed and critical will be just as important as choosing your travel destination.
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