Vasukai

AI Travel Index / October 2026

Who AI recommends in Dubai

What ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews told travellers asking about Dubai, asked from United Arab Emirates. The squares show which assistants named each business.

CChatGPTGGeminiPPerplexityAGoogle AI Overviews

Hotels

34 businesses named; 85% by only one assistant

  1. Atlantis The RoyalCGPA
  2. Atlantis, The PalmCGPA
  3. Burj Al Arab JumeirahCGPA
  4. Jumeirah Al NaseemCGPA
  5. One&Only The PalmCGPA
  6. 25hours Hotel One CentralCGPA
  7. Address Sky ViewCGPA
  8. Anantara The Palm Dubai ResortCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, expedia.com, tripadvisor.com, uk.hotels.com

Asked: “What are the best hotels in Dubai?” and “Where should I stay in Dubai for a first visit?”

Restaurants

40 businesses named; 88% by only one assistant

  1. Al Khayma Heritage RestaurantCGPA
  2. Arabian Tea HouseCGPA
  3. GerbouCGPA
  4. Orfali Bros BistroCGPA
  5. Trèsind StudioCGPA
  6. Above ElevenCGPA
  7. Al FanarCGPA
  8. Al Fanar Restaurant & CafeCGPA

Sources cited: all.accor.com, elitetraveler.com, lepetitchef.com, tbreak.com

Asked: “What are the best restaurants in Dubai?” and “Where should I eat in Dubai for local food?”

Things to do

36 businesses named; 69% by only one assistant

  1. Burj KhalifaCGPA
  2. Dubai MallCGPA
  3. The View at The PalmCGPA
  4. Aquaventure WaterparkCGPA
  5. The Dubai FountainCGPA
  6. Atlantis The PalmCGPA
  7. GetYourGuideCGPA
  8. IMG Worlds of AdventureCGPA

Sources cited: theroamdiary.com, tripadvisor.com, expedia.com, myfreerangefamily.com

Asked: “What are the best things to do in Dubai?” and “Which tours in Dubai are worth booking?”

Tours and day trips

43 businesses named; 79% by only one assistant

  1. Platinum HeritageCGPA
  2. Arabian AdventuresCGPA
  3. GetYourGuideCGPA
  4. ViatorCGPA
  5. OceanAir TravelsCGPA
  6. Rayna ToursCGPA
  7. Gate 1 TravelCGPA
  8. KlookCGPA

Sources cited: viator.com, tripadvisor.com, sunspiretourism.com, tourradar.com

Asked: “Best day trips from Dubai and who to book with?” and “Which tour companies are best for a trip to Dubai?”

Airport transfers

27 businesses named; 81% by only one assistant

  1. CareemCGPA
  2. Dubai MetroCGPA
  3. UberCGPA
  4. Dubai TaxiCGPA
  5. Nol CardCGPA
  6. BlacklaneCGPA
  7. DTC AppCGPA
  8. Dubai Airport TaxiCGPA

Sources cited: andreondigital.com, getyourguide.com, rome2rio.com, traveloka.com

Asked: “What is the best way to get from the airport to central Dubai?” and “Which airport transfer service should I use in Dubai?”

eSIMs and mobile data

25 businesses named; 72% by only one assistant

  1. EtisalatCGPA
  2. duCGPA
  3. AiraloCGPA
  4. HolaflyCGPA
  5. SailyCGPA
  6. BOTIMCGPA
  7. NomadCGPA
  8. CareemCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, simcorner.com, traveltomtom.net, esim.net

Asked: “What is the best way to get mobile data as a tourist in Dubai?” and “Which eSIM should I buy for a trip to Dubai?”

Travel insurance

30 businesses named; 83% by only one assistant

  1. Allianz TravelCGPA
  2. Policybazaar UAECGPA
  3. SquaremouthCGPA
  4. GIG GulfCGPA
  5. VisitorsCoverageCGPA
  6. Atlas InternationalCGPA
  7. SalamaCGPA
  8. WorldTripsCGPA

Sources cited: dubaivisitsvisa.com, allianz-assistance.ae, policybazaar.ae, aig.ae

Asked: “Best travel insurance for visiting Dubai?” and “Which travel insurance should I get for a trip to Dubai?”

Airlines

14 businesses named; 57% by only one assistant

  1. EmiratesCGPA
  2. flydubaiCGPA
  3. Qatar AirwaysCGPA
  4. Etihad AirwaysCGPA
  5. Turkish AirlinesCGPA
  6. Air ArabiaCGPA
  7. AeroCornerCGPA
  8. British AirwaysCGPA

Sources cited: baggagepolicies.com, facebook.com, mydubaiguides.com, expedia.com

Asked: “What is the best airline to fly into Dubai?” and “Which airline is best for flying to Dubai?”

Other cities

LondonUnited KingdomParisFranceSingaporeSingaporeNew YorkUnited StatesTokyoJapanBangkokThailandIstanbulTurkeyRomeItalyBarcelonaSpainBaliIndonesiaMumbaiIndiaDelhiIndiaSydneyAustraliaLisbonPortugalAmsterdamNetherlandsHong KongHong KongLos AngelesUnited StatesCape TownSouth AfricaMexico CityMexico

How we ran it

On 10 October 2026 we asked ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews the same 320 travel questions: two for each of 8 topics in each of 20 cities, worded the way travellers ask.

Each question was asked from the city’s own country, through the assistant itself where possible (Perplexity through its API with web search). Google does not show an AI Overview for every search, so a few questions have three answers instead of four.

We recorded every answer in full and listed the businesses each one named. Landmarks, neighbourhoods and public places are not counted. Different spellings of the same business are merged.

This shows what the assistants said that day, not our own ranking. Answers change, so we ask the same questions again every month and keep every answer.

Is your business in the answer?

The free AI check shows whether ChatGPT names your business when customers ask, who it names instead, and three things to fix first. No card needed.

Run my free check