AI in travel: Smarter trips, real connections

Louis D’Souza | June 3, 2025

Travel has always been about more than just getting from point A to B. It’s about discovery, connection, and the stories we bring home. Today, artificial intelligence is quietly transforming how we plan and experience those journeys making them faster, smarter, and more intuitive. But behind every smooth itinerary and real-time update, there’s still a truth that technology can’t replace: the most memorable parts of travel are human.

Image credit: Freepik

Travel today looks very different from what it did a decade ago. AI and automation aren’t buzzwords anymore but they’re quietly working behind the scenes to streamline everything from trip planning to mid-journey adjustments. From the first inkling of wanderlust to arriving safely back home, tech is making things smoother, quicker, and more responsive. Yet, even as screens and algorithms step in, the heart of travel still belongs to people.

Planning a trip used to mean hours of research. Now, a few clicks can give you a tailored itinerary, whether you’re dreaming of a food trail across Tokyo or scouting pet-friendly hotels in Rome. Some AI tools even pick up on tone—suggesting a slower pace if you seem burnt out. The efficiency is impressive, but the real win is how these tools are starting to respond to emotions, not just logistics.

Of course, AI is great at the boring stuff—scanning hundreds of flights, comparing prices, or auto-filling visa applications. But it still takes a human to add magic. No algorithm can suggest the perfect time to propose in Santorini or help you blend in at a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto. As Louis D’Souza of Tamarind Global puts it, smart tech clears the clutter so travel professionals can focus on crafting something memorable. “It’s a partnership, not a replacement,” he says.

Tech That Supports, People Who Care

Travel hiccups are part of the deal. Flights get canceled, weather turns, plans shift. That’s where real-time updates and booking tweaks from various apps come in handy. But when things go really wrong, reassurance matters more than information. During the pandemic, for instance, AI helped reroute people, but it was human agents who calmed nerves and guided travelers home.

There’s also a fine line between helpful automation and risky over-reliance. Should an algorithm decide who gets a visa? Or whether someone’s cleared for medical travel? These calls require human sense context, ethics, and empathy. Tech is a great assistant, but people still need to steer the ship.

The Heart of the Journey Remains Human

Sure, AI can tell you what’s trending where to go for the best wines or uncrowded hikes. But it’s not the places that stick with us, it’s the moments. A candid chat with a shopkeeper. Getting lost and finding a local festival. These are the stories that stay, and no bot can design them.

What AI does well is cut the clutter. It trims the overwhelming list of choices so you’re free to focus on being there, being present. That’s the sweet spot: tech that works quietly in the background, letting travelers stay in the moment.

As technology becomes smarter, the best experiences will come from blending it with insight and intuition. Let AI do the heavy lifting, while people bring the perspective and the heart. Because in the end, travel isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about connection. And that—no matter how clever the code remains profoundly human.

Louis D’Souza, Managing Partner, Tamarind Global