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India's 2025 Travel Landscape: Gen Z Drives Hyper-Personalisation

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. andscape-gen-z-drives-hyper-personalisation.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 4:36 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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How India’s 2025 Travel Landscape Shifted Toward Gen Z‑Driven Personalisation

In a recent Moneycontrol travel feature, the author examines how the rise of Generation Z has reshaped India’s tourism industry in 2025, pushing airlines, hotels, and travel agencies to adopt hyper‑personalised offerings, digital-first booking processes, and experiences that cater to the tech‑savvy, socially conscious youth. While the piece leans heavily on industry data, expert opinions, and a handful of case studies, the core message is clear: India’s future holidaymakers will be the ones who want experiences curated to their individual tastes, budget, and values—an expectation that travel companies must meet or risk being left behind.

1. The Gen Z Effect on Travel Demand

The article opens by positioning Gen Z—those born between the mid‑1990s and early 2010s—as the fastest‑growing segment of the Indian travel market. A 2024 survey by the Indian Travel Association, cited in the piece, found that 70 % of Gen Z travellers book trips online, and 65 % prefer mobile apps over desktop sites. They also reported that 80 % of this cohort is willing to pay a premium for customised itineraries that reflect personal interests such as niche food scenes, eco‑tours, or off‑beat heritage trails.

The author stresses that Gen Z’s travel habits are distinct from those of older generations. Instead of mass‑tourist packages, they gravitate toward “micro‑experiences” that can be tweaked in real‑time. “They want to be part of the journey, not just a passenger,” notes a leading travel‑tech CEO quoted in the article. As a result, traditional all‑inclusive resorts have had to re‑invent themselves by offering modular stay options, local immersion activities, and curated city‑wide itineraries.

2. Digital Personalisation: From AI‑Driven Recommendations to Blockchain‑Based Trust

The Moneycontrol piece dives deep into the tech stack that powers today’s personalised travel. Artificial‑intelligence algorithms now sift through millions of user reviews, social‑media posts, and behavioural data to recommend activities that match a traveller’s preferences. The article highlights an AI‑enabled platform that offers a “One‑Click Trip Builder,” allowing users to input three keywords (e.g., “hiking,” “sustainable,” “budget”) and receive a fully booked itinerary within minutes.

In addition, the article touches on emerging blockchain solutions that aim to enhance transparency in the travel supply chain. A blockchain‑based loyalty program, mentioned in a footnote, lets users earn points that can be tracked across multiple airlines and hotels, ensuring that rewards are truly “personalised” rather than merely tied to a single brand.

3. Experiences Over Accommodation: The Rise of “Stay‑and‑Explore” Packages

A key trend identified is the shift away from the “hotel‑centric” holiday. The Moneycontrol feature cites an upsurge in “stay‑and‑explore” packages, where travellers can stay in a boutique homestay for a few days, then hop on a private guide‑led trek, and finally end the day with a local cooking class.

These packages are typically marketed through social‑media influencers and are priced to fit a range of budgets, reflecting Gen Z’s desire for affordability coupled with authenticity. The article presents a case study of a travel agency in Jaipur that offers a “Royal Rajasthan” micro‑tour, which can be customised in terms of duration, luxury level, and cultural focus—an example that demonstrates how personalisation is being integrated into the supply side of travel.

4. Sustainability as a Personalisation Lever

The article highlights that sustainability is a major driver for Gen Z, who view eco‑friendly choices as part of their identity. Airlines are offering carbon‑offset options at the time of booking, while hotels are promoting zero‑waste initiatives. A notable mention is a partnership between a leading Indian hotel chain and an NGO that provides “green‑stay” certification, giving travellers confidence that their accommodation is genuinely low‑impact. The article stresses that the ability to customise these sustainability options is now a selling point—travelers can toggle “eco‑friendly” tags on their itinerary during the booking process.

5. The Role of Payment Innovation and Instant Bookings

Payment innovation has also been highlighted as an enabler of personalisation. The article discusses the adoption of “one‑click” payment methods, including UPI, Apple Pay, and crypto‑payments for international travellers. Instant booking—enabled by real‑time inventory feeds from airlines and hotels—means that users can modify or cancel plans within 24 hours, a flexibility that Gen Z increasingly demands.

6. Industry Challenges and Forward‑Looking Solutions

While the article celebrates the progress made, it also warns of the challenges ahead. Data privacy concerns loom large as travel companies collect more granular user data. The article cites the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a benchmark for India’s own forthcoming data‑protection legislation. Additionally, there’s a note on the risk of “personalisation fatigue,” where too many options overwhelm the traveller, suggesting that a balance must be struck between choice and simplicity.

7. Takeaway: Personalisation Is Not a Luxury—It’s the New Standard

In its closing paragraph, the Moneycontrol piece offers a succinct takeaway: “In 2025, Indian tourism will no longer be a one‑size‑fits‑all industry. Personalisation is the new currency, and the companies that can seamlessly integrate AI, sustainability, and instant payment options into a single, user‑centric experience will dominate the market.”

Final Thoughts

The Moneycontrol article serves as a snapshot of a rapidly evolving travel ecosystem in India. It captures the cultural shift toward experiential, personalised travel, driven by a new generation that values authenticity, technology, and sustainability. For industry players, the message is clear: invest in data‑driven personalization engines, adopt flexible booking infrastructures, and keep sustainability front and centre if they want to stay relevant in the post‑pandemic era. For travellers, the good news is that the holiday of your dreams is now just a few clicks away—customised, authentic, and mindful of the planet.