Tourists flock to small town to enjoy picturesque hot springs — only to learn they’ve been duped by an AI post
https://www.aol.com/articles/tourists-flock-small-town-enjoy-213308670.html
Publish Date: 2026-01-30 20:57:00
Source Domain: www.aol.com
An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A man with a red backpack hiking along a path next to a bright blue hot spring with steam rising, surrounded by pine trees under a blue sky with white clouds
It was a destination too good to be true.
An Australian travel company has admitted that its use of artificial intelligence accidentally caused tourists to trek to hot springs that didn’t exist
Tasmania Tours published a blog post on the country’s best hot springs — and Weldborough Hot Springs placed in fourth spot.
“Its reputation as a tranquil haven has made it a favorite among local hiking groups, wellness retreat organizers and anyone wanting to experience one of the more untouched hot springs Tasmania has to offer,” the AI-generated post purportedly proclaimed, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The post from Tasmania Tours, operated by Australian Tours and Cruises, prompted readers to travel to the rural town of Weldborough, Tasmania, to experience the springs for themselves.
The owner of the real Weldoborough Hotel said she was baffled by calls about an attraction that didn’t exist.
Tasmania Tours published a blog post on the country’s best hot springs — and Weldborough Hot Springs placed in fourth spot. The AI-generated image of the fictitious attraction is pictured. Tasmania Tours
“It was only a couple of calls to start with,” Kristy Probert told CNN. “But then people began turning up in droves. I was receiving probably five phone calls a day, and at least two to three people arriving at the hotel looking for them.”
“We’re in a very remote location, so it was very random.”
“I actually had a group of 24 drivers turn up there two days ago that were on a trip from the mainland, and they’d actually taken a detour to come to the hot springs,” she added to ABC.
A large amount of tourists traveled to the rural town of Weldborough, Tasmania, in hopes of finding hot springs. A forest in rural Tasmania is pictured….
