Published on
Agentic AI
Travel Trends
Travel Planning Tools
Automated Planning
Autonomous Travel
Travel Tech
In the Remapping Travel with Agentic AI report published by Skift Research and McKinsey & Company, approximately 70% of travellers indicate they would prefer a digital assistant that can plan and manage their entire itinerary autonomously. Included in this data are Gen Z and Millenialls. They are not impressed by “smart features” anymore, they want systems that think for them, anticipate their needs, and remove friction before they even notice it.
They grew up with algorithmic curation like Spotify playlists and Netflix recommendations. They trust systems that learn their preferences and act on their behalf. They already use digital tools to manage finances, fitness, dating, and work.
This is exactly why the industry has to move past basic generative AI and into the world of Agentic AI. A standard chatbot can tell you which hotels in Tokyo have a gym, but an agent knows you have a 9 AM meeting on Tuesday and that you usually prefer a HIIT workout before breakfast. This shift moves the industry from a reactive model to a proactive one.
In this new landscape, the "product" isn't the destination anymore, it’s the seamlessness of the experience.
When 70% of travellers say they want autonomy, they want a system that doesn't just react when a flight is cancelled, but one that has already re-booked the connection and messaged the hotel before the traveller even sees the delay notification.
Travellers want a journey that feels like it was meant for them, not a "fit for all". A seamless experience proves that the brand actually knows the individual. They don't want to manage their travel, but their travel to manage itself.
If your brand isn't "agent-ready," you are not reaching enough of the most active spenders today.
True efficiency isn't just about automating a single task: it’s about having one ecosystem that automates everything. If you are using one app to book, another to build dynamic packages, and a third to chat with clients, you are losing valuable time switching between apps.
AUTHOR
Claudia Johnson
Hi! I'm Claudia, an Indonesian living in Belgium who loves discovering new places and translating that curiosity into practical insights for the travel‑tech industry.
Essential Questions and Takeaways
Why are Gen Z and Millennials the ones driving this shift?
How does Cumbaya help me reach these younger travellers?
What is the main difference between Generative AI and an Agentic AI?
Can the AI really handle a crisis as well as I can?