Problem Cases: AI-generated Fake Tourist Attraction Misleads Malaysian Couple
- Bence Bukovec
- Oct 7
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Challenge:
An elderly Malaysian couple drove over 230 miles (370 kilometers) from Kuala Lumpur to Perak after watching the AI-generated video above, which promoted a fake tourist attraction, a scenic cable car ride in Kuak Hulu. When the couple arrived, they found only an empty roadside area.
Video Background:
The video above was made using Google VEO 3, an AI tool that creates realistic videos from written descriptions. It showed lifelike scenes of a mountain, a tourism center, and a fake news reporter who convinced thousands of viewers the cable car attraction was real. The video spread widely on social media, leading many to travel to a place that doesn’t actually exist.
Impact:
This case highlights how sophisticated AI misinformation can deeply affect traveler decisions by setting unrealistic expectations and misleading visitors. It wastes travelers' time and resources while damaging trust in genuine destinations. Such false content harms destination credibility, making it harder for authentic places to compete and emphasizing the urgent need for verified, reliable digital information in the tourism industry.
Adaptation Tip:
This is a strong example of why DMOs must verify all Google Business Profiles, upload authentic visuals, and actively manage Points of Interest on Google Maps, “Things to Do,” and Street View. Proactive content management ensures visitors find accurate, trustworthy information directly from the source and combats misinformation on other platforms, and protects the destination's reputation.
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