India’s travellers embrace the AI era
Indian travellers have become global frontrunners in using artificial intelligence for trip planning, according to a new report from Skyscanner. From flight searches to itinerary creation, travellers in India are increasingly turning to AI tools, including chatbots and recommendation engines, to make smarter, faster decisions.
This trend highlights how India’s large digital population, widespread mobile connectivity, and openness to technology are reshaping how people plan their holidays. It also underscores Asia’s broader influence on how travel platforms integrate generative AI into everyday user experiences.
A digital-first traveller base
India’s travel industry has undergone a major digital shift over the past decade. Rising incomes, cheap mobile data, and post-pandemic revenge travel have created one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world. Online bookings now account for over 70% of all flight reservations in the country, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
The latest Skyscanner survey found that more than 80% of Indian respondents use AI-powered tools for at least one part of their travel planning. These range from chatbot-assisted searches and dynamic fare comparisons to automated hotel recommendations based on user preferences.
For many, AI is not a novelty but a convenience. With platforms like MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Trip.com introducing conversational AI, Indian users are already accustomed to automated assistance when choosing destinations or comparing fares. This tech-savvy behaviour is consistent with India’s rapid adoption of AI-driven tools across other sectors — from fintech to healthcare.
Travel platforms retool for AI users
As travellers become more digitally fluent, travel companies are accelerating AI integration to meet rising expectations. Skyscanner’s global head of product said that India’s adoption rate “outpaces most major markets,” with users seeking personalization and speed in trip planning.
In response, companies are investing in natural language processing and generative AI to make searches feel more human-like. For instance, Skyscanner’s “Ask Skyscanner” chatbot uses large language models to respond to open-ended queries such as “Where can I go for under $200 next weekend?” — a feature that has seen high engagement among Indian users.
Indian startups are following suit. Platforms like Ixigo have built AI-based recommendation engines that suggest destinations based on season, budget, and traveller interests. Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip has launched AI assistants that craft complete itineraries using ChatGPT-like models, showing a move toward personalized “co-pilot” experiences rather than simple search functions.
International platforms are also paying attention. Booking.com and Airbnb are testing adaptive pricing and automated travel advice for Indian customers, while airlines like IndiGo and Vistara are experimenting with AI-led fare management to offer real-time, demand-sensitive pricing.
The message is clear: India’s digital travellers are not passive consumers — they’re shaping the direction of global travel innovation.
Asia’s tech-forward tourism mindset
The rise of AI adoption in India’s travel sector is part of a broader Asia-Pacific trend. Regional consumers are younger, more digitally native, and open to experimentation compared to their Western counterparts.
For India, this represents both a cultural and commercial shift. Younger travellers — particularly Gen Z and millennials — value instant, data-driven advice over traditional travel agents. AI bridges that gap by combining flexibility with personalization, offering suggestions tailored to interests like adventure travel, cultural tourism, or eco-friendly lodging.
At the same time, India’s massive mobile-first population gives it an advantage. With over 800 million internet users and one of the world’s highest rates of smartphone penetration, the ecosystem is perfectly suited for scalable AI-based services.
This environment also benefits global platforms experimenting with generative AI. As India’s travel sector grows — projected to reach $125 billion by 2027 — it offers a vast testing ground for technologies that blend human conversation with automated intelligence.
For policymakers, this shift presents new opportunities and challenges. On one hand, AI-driven planning can promote domestic tourism and reduce planning friction. On the other, regulators must address data privacy and algorithmic transparency — especially as chatbots and predictive systems collect vast amounts of personal information.
AI becomes a co-traveller
As AI matures, its role in travel will go far beyond recommendation engines. Experts expect a new generation of tools that can design full itineraries, adjust plans in real time, and even manage travel logistics like check-ins and expense tracking.
For India, these developments align with the government’s Digital India initiative, which promotes AI and automation as enablers of productivity and inclusion. The tourism sector’s early adoption of AI also complements the “Incredible India 2.0” campaign, which aims to position the country as both a destination and an innovation leader.
Looking ahead, AI could also transform how India markets itself abroad. By integrating real-time analytics and natural language systems, tourism boards can engage travelers with adaptive campaigns that evolve based on behavior and sentiment — a level of personalization that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.
For travel brands, this shift represents a race to build loyalty in a rapidly evolving market. Companies that combine transparency, privacy protection, and convenience will earn the trust of India’s new AI-native traveller base.
Ultimately, India’s enthusiasm for AI in travel is not just about technology — it’s about control, convenience, and curiosity. By letting algorithms handle the complexity, travellers are free to focus on what matters most: the journey itself.
India’s AI travellers point to the future of tourism
India’s travellers are leading the world in using AI for trip planning — and in doing so, they are redefining what digital tourism looks like.
This growing comfort with automation marks a profound shift in consumer behaviour. It signals that travel planning in Asia’s biggest market is no longer about searching for information but co-creating experiences with intelligent systems.
As global platforms take note, one thing is clear: the next phase of travel innovation will not be built in Silicon Valley — it will be imagined, tested, and perfected in Asia.
