Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how people plan for their holidays – right from where to visit or stay to the mode of transport – and they feel it is going to address issues like false information and travel planning hassles. However, data also shows that not all want to give AI full control, and feel they should have the final say.

A latest survey shows six in 10 consumers, who book their travel online, are likely to use AI for travel search and bookings. They see authentic reviews, AI-generated itineraries, and booking upon approval as the top use cases, according to the latest survey by community social platform LocalCircles, which received 60,000 responses from online travel booking platforms' users.

The survey claims AI assistants and chatbots are being used to book flights and accommodations, and hire vehicles online. "These chatbots are deployed in social media sites like Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber to offer users a more personalised booking experience."

When asked how people expect AI to assist with travel (flight, hotels, car, etc.) bookings in the future, 60% said they get aggregated and authentic recommendations based on the experiences of others and public data. Around 60% said AI understands preferences, budget and dates and then recommends the itinerary and then lets it book on approval.

Getting accurate information when booking a hotel or accommodation is not easy, as 6 in 10 consumers said that after staying in a hotel or accommodation they booked online, they felt they didn't get the accurate information when booking. Eight in 10, who booked online in the last 3 years, frequently felt that they were overcharged.

"As the travel and tourism industry adopts and deploys AI tools, people stand to benefit if it helps them weed out false and unwanted information and makes travel more cost-effective," says the survey, which received responses from users across 324 districts, with 63% of them being men and 37% women.

Online travel platforms are also leveraging AI-powered tools and solutions for areas like customer service. “Virtual assistants and chatbots are prime examples of how AI facilitates more efficient and personalised booking processes. A fully trained bot might indeed be more helpful than an agent for a simple request."

Indian travellers hesitate to give AI full control

There's no doubt that AI is being used across different areas, including travel, but not all want to give AI full control, especially when it comes to travel planning. Indian travellers are using AI not as a pilot but as a co-pilot, with 98% willing to use it in their future travel plans, but only 12% feel comfortable with AI making decisions independently, and 10% feel uncomfortable trusting AI without human approval, according to the recent Global AI Sentiment Report by Booking.com.

Booking.com’s new research identifies distinct segments among consumers based on how they feel about AI: almost half (46%) of Indian respondents identify as AI enthusiasts, intrigued by AI’s potential, while 28% are AI advocates, actively championing its benefits and responsible adoption. Those enthusiastic about AI feel it will make life easier (87%), save time and effort (65%), expand learning opportunities (64%) and enhance productivity (54%).

However, this excitement also comes with significant caution. While 99% of Indian consumers express enthusiasm for AI, 5% classify themselves as AI cautious, wary of AI’s development or use, and 4% as AI sceptics. Notably, 10% identify as AI detractors, signalling a meaningful segment resistant to AI adoption.

Santosh Kumar, regional manager, South Asia at Booking.com, says that in India, people are not just curious about GenAI but are actively using it as a trusted co-pilot, shaping travel decisions and enabling memorable experiences. "The opportunity ahead is tremendous. As we enter this next phase, building trust, ensuring transparency, and prioritising safety are critical."

Though Indians are open to integrating AI into their daily life, the lack of a human touch generates doubts. Around 38% find AI impersonal and double-check AI outputs even when they trust the technology: 32% always fact-check, and 42% do so sometimes.