A new study by Amadeus highlights that Indian travellers are at the forefront of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric technologies to make travel more efficient, personalised, and enjoyable.
Titled Connected Journeys: How Technology Will Transform Travel in the Next Decade, the report surveyed 9,500 travellers across seven key markets, including India, China, Singapore, France, Spain, the UK, and the US. It examines how emerging technologies are reshaping travel and hospitality experiences.
Rapid Adoption of Generative AI for Trip Planning
The study found that India’s tech-savvy travellers are increasingly using generative AI (GenAI) for trip planning, with adoption rising from 17% last year to 26% this year. Among those using GenAI, 97% reported positive outcomes. Nearly half (49%) said it saved them time, 45% discovered lesser-known attractions, and 44% found the planning process more creative and enjoyable.
Loyalty Programs Driving Travel Behaviour
Loyalty programmes continue to shape travel habits, with 92% of Indian travellers enrolled in at least one scheme. Of these, 47% reported that loyalty incentives encouraged more leisure travel, while 46% opted for premium upgrades.
Global AI Trends and Challenges
Globally, AI usage for smarter travel decision-making surged by 64% compared to last year. Around 64% of respondents said they would pay for an AI travel assistant to provide real-time, in-trip information, with 17% willing to pay up to 5% of their trip cost. However, 25% expressed frustration over outdated or inaccurate AI-generated information, and an equal number felt the technology did not fully capture their preferences.
Decius Valmorbida, President of Travel at Amadeus, said, “The rapid rise in Generative AI usage shows that travellers are eager for smarter, more personalised experiences. But the data also reveals a clear message: expectations are high, and the industry must work together to meet them. At Amadeus, we see a big opportunity to collaborate across the travel ecosystem to ensure AI delivers real value – reducing friction, enhancing confidence, and making every journey more intuitive and enjoyable.”
India’s Digital-First Travel Experience
Mani Ganeshan, Senior Vice President, Head of APAC Engineering and Amadeus India, added, “In a digital-first country like India, it’s no surprise to see the enthusiasm and rapid adoption of GenAI in travel decisions. Travellers here are not just ready for innovation—they expect it. AI-powered technologies like intelligent itinerary recommendations, real-time rebooking, and hyper-personalised planning make travel seamless, from planning to biometric boarding.”
Technologies such as DigiYatra have already reduced airport entry-to-boarding times to mere minutes, demonstrating the potential for scalable and secure biometric travel solutions across India.
Addressing Travel Anxiety Through Technology
The study noted that 90% of Indian air travellers experience some form of travel-related anxiety, particularly around security checks, packing, and flight delays. However, many are open to technology to alleviate these concerns.
Two-thirds of global travellers expressed interest in remote baggage check-in, while 74% of Indian travellers prefer biometric gateways for smoother airport experiences, surpassing the global average of 69%. The growing adoption of contactless payments, mobile wallets, and UPI has positioned India as a prime market for AI- and biometric-driven travel innovation.
Additional tools helping travellers manage anxiety include real-time app updates (29%), digital wallets for document storage (27%), smart baggage tracking systems (26%), and integrated super apps (26%).
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