Travel inspiration and planning among Indian travellers are increasingly being shaped by social media and artificial intelligence, according to a recent survey by zingbus of 2,371 respondents. The findings come ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, whose 2026 theme focuses on digital technology and AI in tourism.
Short-form content emerged as a major source of destination inspiration, with 72% of respondents saying they primarily discover new and offbeat destinations through Instagram Reels and similar videos. Meanwhile, 31% said they searched for a destination after encountering their latest trip idea online, indicating a move from digital inspiration towards active planning.
AI is also becoming part of the travel planning process, with 61% of respondents saying they had used AI to plan at least one trip during the past year. Among AI platforms, 44% primarily used ChatGPT for travel planning, followed by 23% who preferred Google AI Overviews.
Personalisation was identified as a key benefit of AI-assisted planning, with 45% of respondents finding AI most useful for creating customised, day-by-day itineraries. At the same time, travellers continue to seek reliable information and validation before making final travel decisions.
The survey also indicated growing interest in integrated travel packages, with 48% of respondents preferring an end-to-end curated group or offbeat package when transport, accommodation and experiences are verified and hassle-free. Positive traveller reviews remained important, with 52% considering them critical before completing a booking.
These trends are reflected in Chyll by zingbus, the company’s travel experiences vertical, which combines transport, accommodation and local activities. Its offerings include experiences such as kayaking, heritage walks, regional cuisine, riverside cooking and painting, with destinations including Sethan, Sissu, Jibhi, Tirthan Valley, Kalpa and Munsiyari. The company said its model aims to connect digital discovery with verified on-ground experiences and improve access to emerging destinations.