Long gone are the days when people have to stand in long queues to book train or bus tickets and find hotels when and when they reach their travel destinations. Technology has made being a mile ahead of your travel journey easier. It has made it easier to book transportation and make hotel bookings online. There are online itinerary planning apps that can provide you with a shortlist of key attractions to help you plan out your whole trip. Through the collaboration of artificial intelligence and UPI, the traveller can now book flights, tours, hotels and even adventurous activities before reaching their destination right from their homes, offering them convenience and a smoother travel experience. You can even gift a planned trip to your parents and travel enthusiast relatives or friends very conveniently without the exchange of cash.
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In 2025, India's online travel market is expected to reach USD 124.10 billion by 2033, driven by technical breakthroughs, changing traveller preferences, and a surge in digital adoption. The market is expected to grow at a 9.3 per cent CAGR, significantly transforming Indians' travel experiences.
How is AI shaping travel planning experience?
Planning a trip is hectic; it takes research. Real-time data about what is or is not available is very important to avoid mismanagement of activities. AI travel planners allow senior travellers or even all types of travellers to mention their preferences, such as slow travel, leisurely activities, adventure, etc. You can also put the duration of your travel to get an itinerary accordingly.
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There are AI chatbots that help you pick activities if you don't know what you want and customise your trip based on your mentioned preferences. It also suggests other activities based on your preference and helps connect with human assistants. Suppose you generally do not plan trips ahead. In that case, you can always ask AI about the key tourist attractions in your destination, and it will suggest the most visited or even the current festivals going on in your destination spot.
Luring The Travellers Through Offers
Online travel platforms are introducing dynamic booking tools to cater to the evolving needs of travellers. These tools include seat availability forecasts and sold-out alerts. It helps travellers anticipate the chances of securing a confirmed seat and notifies them when tickets become available for fully booked trains. These features enable quicker and more informed booking decisions. The Indian tourism market is becoming more diverse, with Gen Z and millennials being the predominant demographic. They prefer immersive activities like wellness retreats, adventure travel, and cultural excursions. A 34 per cent rise in international solo travel indicates an increased interest in independent and customised travel experiences in all age groups. By the end of 2025, online travel platforms in India will be integral to the entire travel experience, focusing on AI-driven personalisation and secure digital transactions.
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Security Through UPI Transactions
Many travellers in India use UPI as their primary source of payment. TOI reports that in October 2024, UPI had 16.78 billion transactions worth Rs. 23.9 lakh crores. This is 45 per cent more than the transactions made in the previous year of 2024. UPI is reliable; many platforms, such as Paytm, PhonePe, GooglePay, etc., eradicate the need to carry wads of cash while travelling and managing cash. It offers smooth transfer of funds, not only hefty amounts but also small payments. It is convenient as UPI allows travellers to keep their money safe and reduce the chanes of being robbed by reducing the need of carrying cash on a trip.
