AI Invented a Hot Spring, Tourists Found an Ice-Cold River Instead!
One of the most bizarre incidents that could happen to those who seek assistance from artificial intelligence while planning their travels occurred in Tasmania. The AI didn't just recommend a non-existent spa, it also concocted realistic-looking photos and a detailed promotional text for the place.
A non-existent spa made it among the 2026 proposals.
In a travel article published in July 2025, seven must-see spas in Tasmania were listed. Among them was a place named Weldborough Spas, nestled in the forest and purported to rejuvenate its visitors with its mineral-rich waters.
The promotional text was so meticulously crafted that it even detailed how the area was favored by hiking groups and those organizing nature retreats. The visuals used in the content showcased hot water pools surrounded by trees. However, both the pictures and the information about the spa were generated by artificial intelligence.
Tourists found a freezing river instead of a hot spring.
Weldborough is a small settlement nestled in the northeast of Tasmania, approximately a two-hour drive from Launceston. Visitors seeking a spa they spotted online began to turn to the Weldborough Hotel, one of the most well-known landmarks in the area, for directions.
The hotel's operator recounted how they started receiving phone calls almost daily from visitors inquiring about the location of the spa. Contrary to the warm, inviting waters the tourists were envisioning, the Weld River that flows through the town is known for its rather chilly waters. Thus, the dream of hot springs was replaced by a frosty river and a quaint town.
The phantom spa didn't just result in a few phone calls. A group of 24 people from the mainland, swayed by the suggestion, altered their travel itinerary and journeyed to the region. It was only when they sought help from the hotel to find the spa that they discovered such a place never existed.
When human oversight was bypassed, artificial intelligence started to publish content.
It was revealed that travel content was prepared by a third party as part of marketing efforts, and artificial intelligence was used in the production phase. Normally, texts are reviewed before being published, but it was stated that some content was published without review while the company owner was abroad.
Following the emergence of the incident, the articles prepared with artificial intelligence were removed, and it was announced that existing content will be reviewed again.
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