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Booking.com Forecasts 2026 Travel Pivot to Personalization and AI, With India Leading

Based on a 33-country survey of over 29,000 travellers, the report finds especially strong Indian appetite for AI-led planning with immersive stays.

Overview

  • The tenth annual Travel Predictions outlines a 2026 shift toward identity-first trips powered by AI, immersive story-driven experiences and futuristic rentals.
  • The findings come from Booking.com’s global survey and align with October industry forecasts that flagged personalization and tech-enabled planning as dominant themes.
  • Indian respondents show striking enthusiasm for fantasy-inspired journeys, with about 91% interested and most open to AI suggestions that surface book-, film- or game-linked destinations.
  • Nearly 94% of Indian travellers say they would embrace AI-enhanced homes with robotic services, while 88% are open to using trips to assess relationship compatibility.
  • Behavioral changes extend to keepsakes and mobility, with 84% favoring culturally rich or edible souvenirs and about 97% open to tech-enabled carpooling for shared road trips.