Beyond the Basic Search Bar
For years, travel planning has revolved around a search box. You type 'hotels in Goa' or 'flights to Delhi' and get a list of options to sift through. While functional, this process lacks nuance and context. Artificial Intelligence is changing this by
moving from keywords to conversations. Instead of just searching, travellers can now 'ask'. For instance, you could tell an AI assistant you want a 'quiet, romantic weekend getaway near Mumbai with a budget of ₹25,000 that includes trekking options'. The AI understands the intent behind these words—the desire for a specific atmosphere, budget constraints, and activity preferences—to deliver tailored suggestions that a simple search query could never surface.
What 'Personalisation' Really Means
True personalisation in travel goes far beyond adding your name to a booking confirmation. It's about an engine that understands your unique travel DNA. AI platforms analyse past trips, browsing history, and even stated preferences to build a profile of what you enjoy. This allows them to recommend a heritage stay in a lesser-known Rajasthan village instead of a generic five-star hotel, or a street food tour in Amritsar because you've shown interest in culinary experiences. Recent data shows a significant appetite for this; a 2026 report noted that while one in three Indian travellers already use AI for trip planning, 68% are likely to use it for their next trip. Major players like MakeMyTrip and ixigo are rolling out AI assistants that can handle complex, layered requests—like finding a hotel that is wheelchair-friendly, has vegetarian food, and offers connecting rooms—all within a single conversational flow.
The Tech in Action: Indian Innovators
This isn't just a future concept; Indian travel companies are actively deploying sophisticated AI. Ixigo has rebuilt its app around an AI assistant named TARA, which enables users to plan and book trips using natural language in English, Hindi, and Hinglish. TARA can provide recommendations based on user history and even automate tasks like sending boarding passes via WhatsApp. Similarly, MakeMyTrip has upgraded its AI assistant, Myra 2.0, to handle the entire booking process, including payments, through voice or text commands in multiple Indian languages. Startups are also entering the space. Theholidays.ai, recently named an emerging platform of the year, uses its AI 'travel companion' to understand a traveller's 'vibe' and 'style' to craft genuinely bespoke journeys.
From Discovery to Detailed Itineraries
The most significant leap is AI's ability to act as an automated trip planner. These tools don't just suggest a destination; they can build a day-by-day itinerary. An AI can map out a logical route through a city, suggest attractions based on your interests, book restaurant tables, and even adjust the plan based on real-time factors like weather. This addresses a major pain point for travellers who, according to surveys, can spend over 15 hours planning a single vacation. The goal is to reduce 'planning paralysis' and give travellers their time back. For many, the focus of travel is shifting from 'where to go' to 'what to experience', and AI is proving adept at connecting people with those experiences, from festivals to unique cultural encounters.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and the Human Touch
Despite the rapid advancements, the revolution isn't complete. Many travellers still express a desire to have the final say, using AI as a co-pilot rather than letting it take full control. Trust remains a key factor, especially when it comes to financial transactions; many users are comfortable using AI for discovery but hesitate when it's time to book. There are also valid questions about whether an algorithm can truly capture the serendipity and soul of travel—the joy of stumbling upon a hidden gem or changing plans on a whim. The current technology, while impressive, can sometimes falter with complex, multi-step requests, showing that a fully autonomous AI travel agent is still on the horizon. The most effective models, for now, seem to be hybrid, combining AI's efficiency with human expertise for complex trips.
