Following our earlier article on AI-generated and manipulated travel imagery, we have been contacted by several media outlets to talk about a growing issue: travellers arriving in cities with expectations shaped by videos and images that are not real.
What was once an occasional exaggeration or cute addition has become something more complicated. AI-generated content can now create convincing scenes of locations, events and experiences that look incredibly realistic. When these images circulate without context or clear labelling, they do more than inspire. They mislead.
When believable content crosses the line
A recent example in London illustrates the problem clearly. In the run-up to Christmas, widely shared videos promoted what appeared to be a festive market in recognisable locations such as Buckingham Palace. The visuals looked convincing and the captions were full of detail. There was one slight problem…the market did not exist.
Despite this, people searched for it, planned visits around it, and, in some cases, travelled expecting to find it. When they arrived, confusion and disappointment followed. The content had achieved attention, while the consequences were left for the city and visitors to manage.
Why Amsterdam is particularly affected?
Cities with strong visual identities are especially exposed to this trend. Amsterdam is instantly recognisable. Its canals, historic buildings and streets can be easily recreated or idealised by AI.
This has led to videos showing imaginary Christmas markets, impossible seasonal scenes, or locations that just do not exist. We are increasingly meeting visitors who arrive with videos and photos of locations, only to discover that those places were digitally created.
When reality does not match what people have already seen online, frustration is often directed at the destination rather than the content that shaped the expectation. When you have to break the news to that a place does not exist, there can be accusations of ‘gatekeeping’ and not sharing a specific location with the general public.
The impact on travellers and destinations
For travellers, the issue goes beyond visuals as planning relies on trust. When widely shared content turns out to be fictional, time is lost, and confidence is shaken. It becomes harder to know what to believe, and easier to feel disappointed, even when a place has much to offer.
For destinations, the challenge is equally real. Guides and local businesses find themselves spending time correcting assumptions instead of sharing stories. Cities already managing visitor pressure are asked to absorb the effects of misinformation they did not create, and have to deal with the disappointment that comes when the reality doesn’t live up to the fantasy.
Choosing clarity over optimisation
The issue with using AI and photoshopped images arises when generated content is presented as real, particularly in tourism, where accuracy matters.
As AI-generated travel content becomes more common, the value of reliable, locally informed perspectives increases. Real places do not need to be invented or enhanced to be interesting. They need to be understood and shown for what they are, without any frills, bells, or whistles.
How can you tell if a location is real or not?
When viewing travel images or videos on social media, it helps to stop for a moment and apply some critical thinking and scrutiny. Check whether the location or event appears on official tourism websites or is mentioned by multiple reliable sources. Be cautious of scenes that look unusually perfect, out of season, or difficult to place on a map. Looking at the creator’s account can also help, as many AI-generated videos lack context, location details, or clear attribution. When in doubt, local guides, official city platforms, and trusted travel advisors remain the most reliable sources of information.
This article is intended as a continuation of our earlier discussion, prompted by the conversations we have had with journalists and media following the spread of AI-generated travel videos. The aim is to encourage clarity, responsibility, and realistic expectations.
You can find links to the interviews we have given here:
(Every image on this page has been generated by AI)
The only way to experience the real Amsterdam is to walk its streets with someone who actually knows them. Our Amsterdam City Highlights private tour shows you the authentic city — the neighbourhoods, the stories and the daily life that no algorithm or AI-generated image can replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI-generated travel content and why is it a problem?
AI-generated travel content uses artificial intelligence to create realistic-looking images, videos, and descriptions of destinations that do not accurately reflect reality. It becomes a problem when travellers book trips based on scenes that don’t exist — exaggerated sunsets, empty streets in busy cities, or impossible flower arrangements — and then arrive to find a very different experience. Destinations like Amsterdam are particularly affected because they are visually iconic and heavily shared online.
Are the tulip field images of the Netherlands on social media real?
Many of the most-shared tulip field images circulating on social media are heavily edited, AI-generated, or taken under extremely specific conditions that are rarely accessible to regular visitors. Real tulip fields in the Netherlands are beautiful and worth visiting, but they typically line the roads of the Bollenstreek between Lisse and Haarlem — not surrounding windmills or canals as often depicted. The Keukenhof gardens offer a curated and reliably stunning tulip experience.
How can I tell if a travel photo or video of Amsterdam is AI-generated?
Look for telltale signs: lighting that is too perfect, canal reflections that are symmetrical in unrealistic ways, crowds that are completely absent from normally busy areas, or architectural details that don’t quite match any real building. Tools like Google Reverse Image Search can help trace original sources. Amsterdam Experiences, as a local tour operator, regularly flags misleading content online and in press interviews.
What does Amsterdam really look like compared to social media?
Amsterdam is a genuinely beautiful city, but the reality is different from the curated fantasy often presented online. The canals are narrower than they appear in wide-angle shots. The city centre is almost always busy with cyclists, tourists, and trams. The tulip fields are not in the city itself but in the Bollenstreek region 45 minutes away. The real Amsterdam is charming, lived-in, and dynamic — not a deserted film set.
How does misleading travel content affect real destinations?
When travellers arrive with expectations set by AI or heavily edited content, disappointment can follow even in genuinely wonderful destinations. This creates negative reviews, overtourism in areas shown in viral content, and avoidance of equally beautiful but less-photographed areas. It also puts pressure on destinations to manage crowds attracted by a version of themselves that doesn’t exist.
