How Can AI Make Travel More Personalised While Reducing The Cost Of Servicing Trips?

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of the travel industry, from personalised recommendations and itinerary planning to customer support. But according to Hari Ganapathy, co-founder and CEO of Pickyourtrail, the bigger impact of AI could happen behind the scenes. Rather than simply changing what travellers see on their screens, AI could reshape the economics of running a travel business by reducing the time and cost involved in planning, coordinating and servicing holidays. Read on to know more.

AI Could Reshape Travel Businesses

Travel has traditionally been a people-intensive industry. Planning and servicing a single holiday can involve multiple human interventions over several weeks or months, from researching destinations and comparing options to coordinating bookings and handling changes. Ganapathy believes AI could automate much of this repetitive work while allowing destination knowledge to build within a travel company. This could make it easier for businesses to handle a larger number of travellers without increasing operational costs at the same pace.

For an industry that often operates on relatively thin margins, the shift could be significant. AI could allow travel companies to deliver more personalised and high-touch services at scale while reducing the amount of manual coordination required for every booking. The rise of AI, however, does not necessarily mean that travel experts will become less relevant. Instead, their role could change. AI can compare options, coordinate different parts of a trip and increasingly handle execution. Human travel experts, meanwhile, could focus more on judgement, reassurance and accountability.

Also Read: Cab Driver Argues Darjeeling Toy Train Was On ‘Wrong Side’ After Video Captures Collision

This distinction can be particularly important for Indian travellers, for whom an international holiday may represent a major personal milestone. It could be a honeymoon, a family’s first trip to Europe or a journey that someone has saved for years to experience. In such cases, travellers may want more than an automated answer. They may also want someone who can understand their concerns, make a judgement call and take responsibility for the recommendation.

AI’s Bigger Impact May Be Behind The Screen

The conversation around AI in travel often centres on smarter itineraries, better recommendations and greater personalisation. Ganapathy argues that the more fundamental transformation could take place within the industry’s operating model. If AI can reduce repetitive tasks while allowing human experts to focus on decisions and customer relationships, travel companies could potentially serve more people without compromising the human element of the experience.

Also Read: This Wood And Stone Cabin Near Darjeeling Can Be Booked At Just ₹1,028 Per Night

In that sense, AI may not simply redesign the holiday. It could redesign the way holidays are delivered, changing the economics of travel while keeping human expertise and accountability at the centre of the journey.

Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Julia Krasnoperova