How Indian Travellers Choose Service and Human Insight Over AI Automation and Discounts in Travel

Indian Travellers Value Service Over Bargains

When it comes to sharing travel data and planning trips, Indian travellers stand apart in the Asia Pacific region by placing strong emphasis on quality customer service rather than chasing discounts and deals. Nearly half of Indian respondents from a Qlik-YouGov survey identified better service as the leading priority, compared to only 37% who focused on price offers and discounts. This attitude contrasts sharply with travellers from Singapore, Australia, and Japan, who generally look for financial perks such as upgrades and special deals.

A Shift from Price to Value

Indian travellers demonstrate confidence in digital tools but crave more than just cheap fares—they seek value-driven, reliable, and personalised service. They want a travel experience that feels backed by human support rather than just algorithmic efficiency. In fact, 46% highlighted the importance of time-saving tools, but with an emphasis on personalised assistance rather than generic automation.

タクシーと送迎サービスへの影響

This preference for service and human interaction can deeply impact how platforms and providers in the taxi and transfer sector approach customers in India. Offering transparent, approachable, and personalised interactions—whether through in-app support or driver responsiveness—can win traveller loyalty. Platforms like LocalsRide.com enable customers to choose their exact vehicle, view detailed driver and car info, and enjoy a clear, trustworthy booking process that reflects this service-first mindset.

The Persistent Trust in Human Recommendations

Despite growing AI adoption in travel planning, a significant 41% of Indian travellers put more trust in human recommendations than in AI-generated suggestions. Only 26% found AI more reliable, while 20% trust both equally, supporting a hybrid approach where AI handles the heavy lifting—like price comparison and itinerary optimization—and humans validate the final choices before booking.

Human Touch as a Hallmark of Accountability

This continued preference reflects a desire for accountability and reassurance in travel decisions. AI can suggest the perfect itinerary, but many travellers expect a human touch to confirm and personalise those plans before proceeding.

Selective Sharing in the Data-Driven Era

Indian travellers are willing to share a considerable amount of travel data, with 40% showing openness to personalisation that helps improve services—higher than in many other markets. Yet, they draw clear lines regarding what information they share, especially regarding real-time location or social media content, reflecting a mature understanding of privacy concerns.

• 52% share budget and spending habits
• 48% share destination searches and wishlists
• Only 30% share live location during travel
• 28% share public social media posts about travel

This selective sharing highlights the critical balance travellers seek: engagement with technology when it transparently serves their needs, without encroaching on personal privacy.

Resistance to Fully Automated Flight Rebooking

The survey also shows that Indian travellers are cautious about automation interfering in itinerary control, such as automatic flight rebooking, which ranked very low in preference. This resistance to relinquish decision-making power—even for potentially convenient AI features—underscores their desire to remain hands-on with key travel arrangements.

AI’s Role as a Financial Planning Assistant

While human trust dominates, Indian travellers still appreciate AI for its practical utility in helping manage travel budgets. Features like price comparison and predicting the best booking times are valued primarily as planning tools rather than incentives to share data blindly or chase bargains.

Factors Driving the Indian Preference for Service

The complexity of India’s travel ecosystem, where travellers juggle multiple transport modes and platforms, drives demand for responsive, dependable customer support. In such a fragmented environment, a glitch in one link can tarnish the entire journey, making reliable service the true currency of traveller loyalty.

Regional Diversity Calls for Tailored Approaches

This survey confirms the diverse nature of travel mindsets across Asia Pacific, highlighting that India’s service-first, human-trust-focused approach is unique and demands tailored strategies from travel providers.

Strategic Takeaways for Travel and Transport Providers

1. Focus on building robust service infrastructures that emphasise personalised customer care over just discounts.
2. Develop hybrid service models combining efficient AI planning with human checkpoints at critical booking stages.
3. Offer transparency in how AI uses traveller data and make sure data-sharing feels worthwhile and controlled.
4. Respect travellers’ preference for control by requiring confirmation for automated changes and maintaining open communication.

LocalsRide.com: Enhancing Your Travel Experience

LocalsRide.com offers a platform perfectly aligned with these values, allowing travellers to pick exactly the right vehicle, see detailed car and driver information upfront, and benefit from a transparent service that puts user control and trust first. Whether booking airport taxis, city transfers, or private rides, travellers can avoid the usual frustrations and enjoy a tailor-made travel experience.

Why Personal Experience Matters Most

While statistics and reviews provide valuable insights into travel trends, nothing beats the real deal—trying out services firsthand. On LocalsRide, users can hire cars with verified drivers at reasonable fares, ensuring they experience the level of service that Indian travellers prize so highly. The platform’s convenience, affordability, and extensive fleet options empower travellers to make informed choices without compromising on quality or trust.

Book your ride today and discover how transparent, human-centred booking enhances your trip at LocalsRide.com.

A Look Ahead: What This Means for the Travel Industry

This distinctive Indian approach to travel—valuing service above price and favouring human guidance alongside AI—may not drastically reshape global tourism, but it signals how important it is for travel companies, including taxi and transfer services, to respect cultural preferences and trust dynamics in their offerings. LocalsRide stays tuned to these evolving trends to deliver worldwide transfers that combine cutting-edge technology with genuine human care.

Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with LocalsRide.

概要

Indian travellers exhibit a clear preference for superior customer service and human validation over discounted deals or full AI reliance when planning trips. They selectively share personal data to gain tailored experiences but resist relinquishing control to automation, particularly for essential itinerary decisions. This service-first mentality is shaped by India’s complex travel landscape, creating opportunities for platforms and providers to innovate with hybrid AI-human approaches. LocalsRide.com embodies these principles by offering transparent vehicle and driver choices, ensuring customers feel empowered and supported. The platform’s global reach, ease of use, and commitment to customer-centric service make it a trusted partner for private taxi, airport transfers, and limousine bookings. In this dynamic travel environment, understanding and respecting travellers’ priorities is the key to loyalty and satisfaction.