AI-Generated Blog Sends Tourists Searching for Nonexistent Hot Springs in Tasmania

Melbourne. Tourists have been left in a difficult situation due to a blog post generated by artificial intelligence published on the website of a tour company in Tasmania, Australia. The blog suggested visiting the ‘Weldoboro Hot Springs’ located in northern Tasmania. However, no such hot spring actually exists.

This blog, published on the website of the company Tasmania Tours, was later removed. The blog described the Weldoboro Hot Springs as a beautiful sanctuary amidst a quiet forest, detailing it as a favorite destination for hikers. Weldoboro is a small rural settlement about 110 kilometers away from the city of Launceston.

Scott Hennessey, the operator of Australian Tours and Cruises based in New South Wales, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that his AI had made a complete mistake. According to him, the responsibility for creating the company's marketing material was outsourced to a third party. He stated that the blog was published while he was out of the country.

He clarified that they are not a scam, citing the pressure they face to constantly update website content to compete with larger companies. In a response given to CNN, the company stated that the criticism received on social media and the damage to its reputation were extremely painful.

Meanwhile, Christie Probert, the owner of the local Weldoboro Hotel, said she was surprised when tourists started asking about the hot springs starting in September. She mentioned receiving daily calls and people arriving at the hotel. She also noted that the local river is extremely cold and that instead of hot springs, there is only a sauna in a nearby town, according to Hot Springs.