New survey finds 72 pct of Indians discover offbeat destinations through reels

Social media is playing a big role in influencing our travel plans as most inspiration today is increasingly digital, and artificial intelligence also becoming an important part of how Indians discover and plan their journeys. 

A recent survey by zingbus, based on 2,371 respondents, reveals how short-form content, AI-powered planning and trusted travel information are influencing travel decisions.

According to the survey, 72 per cent of respondents primarily discover new and offbeat destinations through Instagram Reels and other short-form videos, highlighting the growing influence of visual platforms in shaping travel aspirations.

However, digital discovery is only the first step in the travel journey. It also showed that 31 per cent of respondents searched for a destination after discovering their most recent trip idea online, showing how travellers are increasingly moving from inspiration towards active planning.

The survey also highlights a shift in how travellers want to experience journeys today. Beyond discovering destinations online, they are increasingly looking for curated experiences that bring together transport, accommodation and local activities, allowing them to focus on creating memories while the journey is taken care of.

AI is becoming a travel-planning companion

The survey also points to the growing role of artificial intelligence in travel planning. It found that 61 per cent of respondents have used AI to plan at least one trip in the past year, highlighting how AI is becoming a part of the modern travel planning process.

Among AI platforms, 44 per cent of respondents rely primarily on ChatGPT for AI-assisted travel planning, followed by 23 per cent who use Google AI Overviews as their preferred AI travel-planning platform.

For travellers, AI appears to be particularly valuable for personalisation. The survey revealed that 45 per cent of respondents find AI most useful for creating customised, day-by-day itineraries, helping travellers structure journeys based on their individual preferences.

At the same time, trusted information continues to play an important role in travel decisions, with travellers seeking confidence and validation before finalising their plans.

From discovering destinations to choosing complete travel experiences

As travellers discover more destinations online and use technology to personalise their plans, the survey points towards a growing preference for seamless and curated travel experiences.

The survey showed that 48 per cent of respondents said they would prefer an end-to-end curated group or offbeat package when transport, accommodation and experiences are verified and hassle-free.

Trust remains an important factor in final decision-making, with 52 per cent of respondents considering positive traveller reviews critical before making a final booking.

These changing preferences reflect an evolving travel landscape where consumers are looking beyond individual bookings and seeking reliable, well-planned experiences that bring different parts of a journey together.