Artificial intelligence has changed the way people plan trips. Instead of keeping long checklists or checking prices for hours, experts suggest that travellers now get quick, personalised itineraries, alerts on price changes and almost instant customer support.
In 2024-25, the travel industry moved from small experimental projects to full-scale adoption of AI. Major search engines, travel websites and comparison platforms introduced AI-powered planning tools, pricing prediction systems and automated support services. These tools now help travellers at every stage – from finding destination ideas to booking tickets and getting help during the trip.
This shift is changing both the technology and the business side of travel, influencing who controls the travel experience and how value flows between suppliers, platforms and customers.
One of the new AI-driven travel platforms is HECT India. The Delhi-based startup says it is building a single platform that brings together global travel options – flights, hotels, buses and tours – all powered by AI. Founded by Gaurav Sharma, HECT India claims that it is developing a modern travel engine specially designed for “middle-class Indian travellers”.
“It helps users plan multi-city trips, compare prices across different providers and check real-time availability without switching between multiple apps,” Sharma said.
AI in the travel and tourism ecosystem could be associated with total market activity above $500 billion in 2024, rising towards roughly $1.5 trillion by early next decade as AI becomes embedded across booking, operations and marketing stacks, according to AI in Tourism Statistics 2025.
The rise of AI travel in India
The launch comes at a time when the Indian travel market is changing quickly. Surveys show that more than 60% of online travellers find current booking platforms confusing and not transparent enough. With international travel companies using AI for faster suggestions and personalised planning, Indian users too are now looking for smarter and simpler tools.
HECT India claims that it wants to meet this demand by using natural-language search, machine-learning price models and AI trip planners that recommend the “best match” – whether someone needs a budget stay, a last-minute flight or a curated tour.
A massive inventory, one platform
The company further claims that it has access to more than a million hotels worldwide, along with domestic and international flights, bus services and local tour operators. Instead of showing static listings, the platform uses AI to clean up data, compare real-time fares and present clear results – avoiding the hidden charges that often upset travellers.
As the platform grows, the company says it will continue focusing on clear pricing, verified supplier information and responsible use of AI – areas that are becoming increasingly important for both regulators and travellers.
