ChatGPT vs. Claude 4: AI Vacation Planners Put to the Test in Tahiti

For a special holiday edition of AI Playground, I compared the travel planning capabilities of ChatGPT and Claude 4 by asking both chatbots to recommend activities, dining options, and a birthday celebration venue for a week-long trip to Moorea, Tahiti. The trip is to celebrate the birthday of a close friend, Theresa, and includes eight adults, four couples ranging from 50 to 60 years old. ChatGPT Recommendations: - Activities: Cultural tours, 4x4 rentals, lagoon cruises with snorkeling, and a sunset cruise specifically for Theresa’s birthday. - Restaurants and Bars: Rudy's, Moorea Beach Café, and the Manava Polynesian show were recommended. ChatGPT also suggested Holy Steak House, though it is a 40-minute taxi ride from the hotel. - Itinerary Format: Provided a detailed, day-by-day itinerary with pricing estimates and source references, making it comprehensive and easy to follow. Claude 4 Recommendations: - Activities: Similar suggestions included cultural tours, 4x4 rentals, and lagoon cruises. However, Claude’s recommendations were less extensive, missing the sunset cruise and scuba diving. - Restaurants and Bars: Recommended Cocobeach, one of the places the group ended up booking. Claude also listed Holy Steak House. - Presentation: The visual layout was cleaner and more visually appealing, but the content was more heavily focused on marketing from the Cook's Bay hotel and offered fewer options overall. Feedback from the Trip Attendees: - Theresa (the birthday girl): Preferred the day-by-day itinerary from ChatGPT and appreciated the sunset cruise suggestion. Booked three of ChatGPT’s recommended restaurants and one from Claude. Found Holy Steak House to be impractical due to its distance. Rated the chatbots similarly, noting their overlapping, useful suggestions. - Lisa: Gave ChatGPT 4.5 stars out of 5 for its comprehensive and detailed response, which included pricing estimates and reference links. Claude received 3.5 stars for its visually appealing layout, but was criticized for offering fewer options and lacking scuba diving recommendations, which the group plans to include. Industry Insights: Both chatbots demonstrated solid travel planning capabilities, with ChatGPT providing a more detailed and structured response. This indicates that ChatGPT may be better suited for users who prefer a thorough, organized plan. However, Claude’s more visually appealing layout could be a strong point for those who value aesthetics and a user-friendly interface. The absence of scuba diving recommendations from both chatbots highlights a limitation in their contextual understanding and personalization, suggesting that while AI can offer valuable suggestions, human oversight remains crucial for tailoring travel plans to specific needs and preferences. Company Profiles: - OpenAI (ChatGPT): Founded in 2015 by a group of tech leaders including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, OpenAI aims to develop safe and beneficial AI. ChatGPT is known for its ability to generate detailed and contextually relevant responses, which was evident in its travel planning for the Tahitian trip. - Anthropic (Claude 4): Established in 2021, Anthropic focuses on creating AI systems that are aligned with human values. Claude 4 is gaining recognition for its conversational abilities and is particularly noted for its clean, visual presentation, though it may sometimes fall short in the breadth and depth of its recommendations. In conclusion, ChatGPT and Claude 4 both provided useful recommendations, but their strengths and weaknesses differ. ChatGPT excelled in thoroughness and organization, while Claude 4 stood out for its visual presentation and readability. Human input and local expertise remain essential for enhancing the quality and personalization of AI-generated travel plans.