TLDR: A new study by Amadeus, ‘Connected Journeys: How Technology Will Transform Travel in the Next Decade,’ highlights that Indian travelers are at the forefront of embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biometric solutions to streamline and personalize their travel experiences. The report indicates a significant rise in Generative AI usage for trip planning and a strong preference for biometric gateways, underscoring a clear demand for advanced, friction-free travel technologies.
A recent global study conducted by Amadeus, titled ‘Connected Journeys: How Technology Will Transform Travel in the Next Decade,’ has revealed that Indian travelers are enthusiastically adopting advanced technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biometric solutions, to enhance their travel experiences. The comprehensive report, based on a survey of 9,500 travelers across seven countries including India, China, France, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, underscores a significant shift towards tech-driven journeys.
Indian travelers are swiftly integrating Generative AI (GenAI) into their trip planning, with usage soaring from 17 percent last year to 26 percent this year. Overall, 33 percent of Indian respondents have utilized GenAI to plan leisure trips abroad. The outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive 97 percent reporting favorable experiences. Nearly half (49 percent) found that GenAI saved them time, 45 percent discovered ‘hidden gems’ through personalized recommendations, and 44 percent enjoyed more creative and unexpected travel experiences. Globally, GenAI usage for travel planning has increased by 64 percent compared to the previous year, with key benefits cited as time savings (42 percent), personalized recommendations (37 percent), and the discovery of new destinations (36 percent).
Beyond AI, biometric technology is also gaining significant traction among Indian travelers. The study found that 74 percent of Indian respondents favor biometric gateways for seamless travel, indicating a strong desire to reduce friction at various touchpoints, such as airport security. This aligns with a global trend where 69 percent of travelers would consider using biometric gateways to bypass the need for physical passports or mobile phones for security checks. The existing ‘DigiYatra’ initiative, already implemented across major Indian airports, exemplifies this trend by significantly reducing entry-to-boarding times to mere minutes, setting a precedent for further technological integration in the travel ecosystem.
Decius Valmorbida, President of Travel at Amadeus, commented on the findings, stating, ‘The rapid rise in Generative AI usage shows that travelers are eager for smarter, more personalized experiences. But the data also reveals a clear message: expectations are high, and the industry must work together to meet them.’
Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, President of Hospitality at Amadeus, added, ‘Travelers are embracing AI with enthusiasm, but they’re also demanding more. In Hospitality, we see this as a call to action: to deliver technology that not only responds to traveler needs but anticipates them.’
The report also highlights the importance of loyalty programs, with 47 percent of Indian travelers feeling encouraged to travel for leisure more frequently after being enrolled in such programs. A remarkable 92 percent of Indian travelers are subscribed to at least one loyalty program. While embracing innovation, travelers still value human interaction for complex or uncertain situations, suggesting a need for a balanced approach where technology augments, rather than entirely replaces, human assistance.
Also Read:
- Artificial Intelligence Poised to Revolutionize Indian Banking Sector by 2035, IBEF Report Reveals
- India’s Private Sector AI Investments Outpace Japan, France, and Germany, Nearing $20 Billion Mark
Other technologies contributing to a less stressful journey include real-time travel updates (29 percent), digital wallets for secure document storage (27 percent), smart baggage tracking (26 percent), and integrated ‘super apps’ for comprehensive travel management (26 percent). As India’s travel ecosystem continues to evolve, there is a clear expectation for industry leaders like Amadeus to deliver scalable, secure, and intuitive experiences that cater to the modern traveler’s demands.
