Travel, for India’s increasingly curious and tech-savvy generation, is undergoing a profound transformation. What began as a simple pursuit of leisure and escape now emerges as a deeply personal, hyper-customised exploration of culture, self, and passion. As Indian travellers gear up for 2026, the themes of AI-powered travel planning and tailor-made journeys will shape how they explore both home and abroad.
With 86% of Indian travellers confidently embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in their trip decisions, 2026 promises a new kind of travel—one that blends the latest technology with personal desires, values, and budgets. This article delves into the macro and micro trends defining this shift, highlighting how AI-assisted hyper-personalisation is setting new benchmarks in Indian tourism.
Table of Contents
The Rise of Hyper-Personalised Travel
Gone are the days when Indian travellers simply booked pre-set tours to popular destinations. Increasingly, choices revolve around tailor-made experiences that reflect individual passions and values. The Skyscanner Travel Trends 2026 report reveals one in three Indian travellers intentionally avoids touristy hotspots, seeking quieter, culturally rich, and authentic locales instead.
This trend is powered by the desire for meaningful connections—with places, people, and oneself—that transcend standard sightseeing. It manifests in diverse forms:
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Passion-based journeys: Trips motivated by interests such as beauty rituals (wellness and skincare-focused travels), literary escapes inspired by favourite books, adventure and mountain treks, or multi-generational family bonding experiences.
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Discovery of emerging destinations: Traditional tourist heavyweights share space with lesser-known gems like Jorhat in Assam (+493% searches), Jaffna in Sri Lanka (+325%), and Langkawi, Malaysia, reflecting a growing Indian appetite for unique cultural experiences.
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Authentic local immersion: Authentic culinary explorations, local markets, traditional art forms, and smaller boutique hotels that are destinations in themselves gain prominence.
With personal meaning trumping mere geography, each journey manifests as a curated story reflecting the traveller’s identity.
AI as the Travel Co-Pilot
Technology, and AI specifically, acts as an indispensable enabler in this brave new travel world. The confidence among Indian travellers using AI for trip planning or booking is the highest globally, standing at 86%. Tools such as Skyscanner’s app-exclusive Savvy Search, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, exemplify how AI powers hyper-personalised recommendations by integrating flights, accommodation, and curated local experiences into one seamless itinerary.
AI’s role includes:
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Hyper-curation: Offering destination ideas tailored not only by logistical factors like cost and convenience but also by personal interests drawn from social media and browsing behaviour.
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Real-time adjustments: Helping travellers adapt plans dynamically based on changing availability, weather, or new local events.
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Efficiency and cost optimisation: Comparing thousands of flight and hotel options quickly and intelligently, allowing travellers to stay within budget without compromising on their experience.
For Indian travellers with busy lifestyles and high aspirations, AI-powered planning transforms travel from a stressful event to an inspiring and engaging process that starts well before packing a bag.
Value Meets Meaning in the New Travel Landscape
While 2026 sees Indian travellers investing more in meaningful journeys, there remains a strong focus on value and smart spending. Research indicates 59% of Indians plan more travel next year, with most ready to spend equally or slightly more on flights and accommodation compared to the previous year.
Key cost considerations include:
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Flight affordability, with emerging routes improving accessibility to new destinations.
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Accommodation that blends comfort with unique, local character.
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Visa requirements and ease of travel influencing destination choices.
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Food choices reflecting balance between indulgence and budget.
Destinations like Tirupati and Langkawi stand out both for their cultural appeal and best-value airfare, making them attractive to the value-conscious traveller investing in self-exploration.
Trends Driving the 2026 Indian Traveller
The unique traveller profile emerging for 2026 is confident, digitally engaged, mindful, and driven by passions. Some notable trends underscore this dynamic:
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Beauty and Wellness Travel: From spa escapes inspired by traditional Indian Ayurveda to global beauty rituals, travellers seek rejuvenation as part of their itinerary.
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Book-Inspired Journeys: Literature shapes routes, with travellers visiting libraries, bookshops, and destinations tied to beloved fictional tales.
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Family and Multi-Generational Travel: Trips designed to connect and create memories across age groups continue to rise.
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Adventure and Altitude Shifts: Interest in mountain treks, nature escapes, and physically engaging experiences grows.
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Emotional and Social Connections: For 87% of Indian travellers, journeys spark new relationships and deeper human connections, making travel as much about people as place.
Examples of New-Age Destinations for Indian Travellers
The 2026 landscape highlights cities and regions gaining traction for their unique cultural weave, accessibility, and experiential depth:
| Destination | Location | Key Appeal | Search Increase (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jorhat | Assam, India | Tea gardens, heritage culture | +493% |
| Jaffna | Sri Lanka | Historical sites, local cuisine | +325% |
| Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh, India | Spiritual, value fare | -18% flight prices |
| Langkawi | Malaysia | Islands, nature, budget-friendly | -17% flight prices |
| Berlin | Germany | History, arts, new connectivity | -16% flight prices |
These destinations echo the personalised and value-conscious mindset of 2026 Indian travellers.
Challenges and Considerations for AI Travel Adoption
While AI is widely embraced, some concerns remain about accuracy and reliability. Early-stage industry integration means travellers need a nuanced understanding of AI tool capabilities. Concerns on privacy and data protection also require addressing through transparent practices.
Furthermore, while AI can personalise well, human intuition and local knowledge remain vital to delivering truly authentic experiences. The best travel experiences in 2026 will likely blend AI convenience with expert curation and personal insight.
The Future: Beyond 2026
Hyper-personalised travel and AI planning mark just the beginning of a new travel paradigm for Indian explorers. As technology evolves and more travellers demand tailored experiences, the travel ecosystem—from airlines and hospitality to local businesses—will need to continuously innovate.
The Indian traveller of tomorrow views travel as a form of self-investment, wellness, and cultural dialogue, driven by passion and guided by AI-enabled insight. This shift will redefine tourism economics and experiences for years to come.
FAQs
Q1: What is hyper-personalised travel?
Hyper-personalised travel tailors trip experiences to the unique interests, preferences, and values of individual travellers, moving beyond generic packages to meaningful, passion-driven journeys.
Q2: How is AI changing travel planning for Indian travellers?
AI tools help Indian travellers by providing curated destination suggestions, optimising cost and convenience, and enabling dynamic itinerary adjustments based on real-time data, making trip planning smarter and easier.
Q3: What are some emerging travel destinations for Indians in 2026?
Destinations like Jorhat in Assam, Jaffna in Sri Lanka, Langkawi in Malaysia, and Berlin in Germany are gaining popularity for their cultural richness, authenticity, and value.
Q4: Are Indian travellers ready to spend more on travel in 2026?
Yes, 59% of Indian travellers plan to travel more in 2026, with many willing to spend the same or slightly more on flights and accommodation, emphasizing experiences that bring personal meaning.
Q5: What role does social media play in travel planning?
Social media inspires Indian travellers by exposing them to new destinations, authentic experiences, and travel trends, helping fuel their desire for personalised journeys.
Q6: What kinds of travel trends will dominate India in 2026?
Key trends include beauty and wellness travel, book-inspired journeys, adventurous nature escapes, family trips, and experiences that foster emotional and social connections.
Q7: What are the challenges with AI travel planning?
Concerns include accuracy of AI recommendations, privacy issues, and the need to complement AI convenience with human expertise for authentic travel experiences.