Lifestyle Trend: Indian Travelers Lead In AI And Biometric Adoption For Smarter Journeys, Finds Study | Travel News You Should Know

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 10:31 IST

From using GenAI for trip planning to adopting DigiYatra and loyalty programs, Indian travelers are shaping a future of seamless, personalized, and tech-powered journeys.

For many, travel is a source of excitement and anticipation. New global research from Amadeus reveals how travelers are turning to technology especially artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their journeys and eliminate common pain points along the way.

The study, titled Connected Journeys: How Technology Will Transform Travel in the Next Decade, surveyed 9,500 global travelers across China, France, India, Singapore, Spain, the UK, and the USA. It explores travelers’ evolving needs and the role emerging technologies play in reshaping the travel and hospitality industries.

India Leads in GenAI Adoption for Travel Planning

Indian travelers are rapidly embracing Generative AI (GenAI) for trip planning, with usage rising from 17% last year to 26% this year, and 33% having used it to plan an international leisure trip. Among those who have experimented with GenAI, an overwhelming 97% reported positive outcomes: nearly half (49%) said it saved them time, 45% discovered hidden gems through AI recommendations, and 44% enjoyed more creative and unexpected travel experiences.

Loyalty Programs Drive Travel Behavior

The study found that an impressive 92% of Indian travelers are subscribed to at least one loyalty program. Airline loyalty programs lead at 37%, followed closely by online travel agency memberships at 34%. These programs are significantly shaping travel behavior, nearly half (49%) of travelers are booking additional activities through their loyalty schemes, 47% are traveling for leisure more often, and 46% are choosing more premium or upgraded experiences.

AI: A Growing Travel Companion

Globally, travelers are increasingly relying on AI to plan and manage their journeys, with GenAI usage up 64% compared to last year. The top benefits include saving time (42%), receiving highly personalized recommendations (37%), and discovering new destinations (36%). Additionally, 35% of global travelers who used GenAI said it boosted their confidence in travel decisions.

Among respondents, 64% said they would be willing to pay for an AI travel assistant that provides in-trip information, and 17% would pay up to five percent of their total trip cost for such a service.

However, the research also identified key challenges: a quarter (25%) of travelers experienced outdated or inaccurate information from AI tools, while another 25% felt AI struggled to capture their personal preferences.

“The rapid rise in Generative AI usage shows that travelers are eager for smarter, more personalized experiences. But the data also sends 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,” said Decius Valmorbida, President of Travel, Amadeus.

India’s Tech-Driven Travel Evolution

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. Travelers here are not just ready for innovation—they expect it. AI-powered technologies like intelligent itinerary recommendations, real-time rebooking, and hyper-personalized travel planning make the experience seamless, from customized itineraries to biometric boarding.

With solutions like DigiYatra already live across major Indian airports, entry-to-boarding times are down to just minutes. As India’s travel ecosystem evolves, there’s a clear expectation for industry leaders like Amadeus to drive scalable, secure, and intuitive experiences. We’re building the technology backbone that empowers travelers to move through their journeys with unprecedented ease and personalization.”

Anxiety Persists Despite Enthusiasm

The report also revealed that an overwhelming 90% of air travelers experience some level of anxiety during their journey. Yet these worries coexist with clear aspirations for more meaningful travel experiences. Rather than material indulgence, most travelers prioritize quality time with loved ones (27%), discovering great food and drink (25%), and creating lasting memories (24%). Nearly a quarter (22%) explicitly cite a smooth, disruption-free travel experience as their top aspiration.

With anxieties arising at multiple points—packing (26%), going through security (27%), traveling to the airport (26%), and the flight itself (24%)—technology plays a crucial role in transforming the traveler experience.

Technology Alleviating Travel Anxiety

Travelers are open to adopting innovative technologies that enhance convenience and provide reassurance:

66% of global travelers show strong interest in remote baggage check-in, allowing luggage pickup directly from home to reduce pre-trip stress.

74% of Indian travelers are open to using biometric gateways, higher than the global average of 69%, showing a strong appetite for seamless airport experiences.

India’s robust digital payments ecosystem, strengthened by UPI and mobile wallets, positions the country as one of the most promising markets for biometric and contactless travel innovations.

Other solutions already reducing traveler anxiety include real-time travel updates via apps (29%), digital wallets for secure document storage (27%), smart baggage tracking systems (26%), and integrated “super apps” that offer comprehensive travel management in one place (26%).

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