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13

06/2025

How Ai In Tourism Is Reshaping Global Travel Sustainability

Planning your dream trip in minutes, enjoying smoother travel, and making smarter choices; all at once, that’s the power of AI in tourism

The application of AI in tourism is changing how we peregrinate, making everything from booking flights to finding hidden gems effortless and more exhilarating. 

However, it’s not just about convenience; by addressing the problems caused by overcrowded tourist destinations and growing travel, AI in tourism is also helping to protect the environment. 

With smart solutions, it’s leading the way toward a greener, more responsible future with focus on sustainability in travel and tourism.

Over the last few holiday seasons, domestic travel jumped by over 800%, and international by almost 200%. This is putting more stress on ecosystems and resources. Approximately 1.5% of GDP is derived from tourism, and the industry has the potential to contribute more than RMB 1.3 trillion to the economy. 

This guide examines how AI in tourism is transforming the way people travel globally, making the industry more responsible, efficient, and environmentally friendly.

AI in Tourism: Powering Sustainable Global Travel AI in tourism is obligatory to subsist with the ever expanding travel industry and make the future of sustainable tourism more appealing without harming the environment. Here we AI supports sustainability from planning to preservation.

1. AI in Tourism Enhancing Travel Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Footprint

The ability of AI in tourism to increase efficiency directly adds to lowering carbon emissions. To set a dynamic price, AI-driven systems analyze large amounts of data, including past booking patterns, market demand, weather forecasts, and local events. With this method, airlines and hotels can precisely manage capacity, ensuring that resources are neither overbooked nor underused. In this way, AI in travel reduces organizational waste and optimizes resource utilization.

Additionally, predictive maintenance for vehicles such as rental cars and airplanes is powered by AI in travel industry. By anticipating mechanical failures before they occur, this technology prolongs asset life cycles and prevents environmental harm caused by sudden breakdowns, contributing to a more sustainable future in transportation.

2. Smart Travel Planning with AI in Tourism

Planning a trip the old-fashioned way requires a significant amount of time and can lead to mistakes that waste time and money and harm the environment. Due to AI in tourism, tourists can now quickly create personalized, environmentally friendly itineraries using intelligent virtual assistants. When people ask AI for help planning a trip, it provides them with detailed ideas, including booking links, pictures, and maps. This makes people less reliant on printed materials and online searches.

Travelers can choose more eco-friendly routes and activities due to AI in travel's ability to handle multi-destination plans, which supports travel sustainability by reducing unnecessary travel and congestion.

3. Mitigating Over tourism through AR and VR Powered by AI in Tourism

With the rise of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence in travel, new approaches to addressing the issue of excessive tourism have emerged. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these technologies enabled virtual visits to cultural sites, national parks, and museums, protecting fragile ecosystems from excessive foot traffic.

By offering immersive experiences without physical travel, AI in travel helps disperse tourist flows, reducing environmental degradation in over-visited areas. AI-powered AR translation tools also make it easier to communicate with people in the region, which enhances respect and cultural awareness, both of which are essential for maintaining tourist locations.

4. Hospitality Automation and Energy Conservation with AI in Tourism

The use of AI in tourism improves service performance and energy efficiency in the hospitality industry. Robotic room service, innovative check-in systems, and face recognition technology make it easier for hotels to operate, which in turn makes guests happier.

On the other hand, AI in travel enables innovative building management systems that adjust temperature, lighting, and airflow in response to real-time occupancy and weather forecasts. This targeted energy use reduces waste, which helps meet travel sustainability goals in lodging facilities.

Moreover, AI-driven customer service automation reduces the need for large, energy-intensive call centers, enabling hotels and airlines to maintain superior service quality with minimal environmental impact. A top tourism consulting firm emphasizes that such technologies are important for a sustainable tourism industry moving forward.

5. Enhancing Eco-Conscious Traveller Communities through AI in Tourism

AI tools are essential for creating and growing groups of tourists who care about the environment. AI in tourism groups people who share similar travel preferences and suggests eco-friendly lodging and activities that align with carbon offset programs.

This personalized involvement not only enhances the trip experience but also helps people adopt healthier habits that are more environmentally friendly. AI in travel also collects and analyzes user-generated content, such as photos and reviews, to help everyone learn more about sustainable tourism practices, which has a greater impact on the community.

Conclusion

As global tourism continues to expand, its environmental impact demands urgent attention. To achieve genuine travel sustainability, the integration of AI in tourism and travel technologies is no longer a choice. AI is leading the future of sustainable tourism, improving efficiency, enhancing planning, and involving the community. With continued innovation, these intelligent systems will redefine how we explore the world responsibly. Adopting this change is key to building a truly sustainable future for travel. RRHasija leads the integration of AI innovations to enhance tourism growth while advancing environmental sustainability on a global scale.

FAQS

Q1: How does AI in tourism help reduce the environmental impact of travel?

By improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and promoting eco-conscious decisions throughout the travel process.

Q2: How do AR and VR technologies supported by AI in travel aid sustainable tourism?

They offer virtual experiences that mitigate overtourism and lessen the environmental burden on popular destinations.

Q3: Can AI in travel promote safe and responsible travel?

Yes, AI provides real-time updates, risk alerts, and personalized recommendations to enhance traveler safety and sustainability.

Q4: How does AI in tourism build eco-conscious traveler communities?

AI connects like-minded travelers, promotes sustainable accommodations and activities, and improves responsible travel behaviors.

Author Image

Rajni Hasija

Founding Partner & Chief Consultant, RR Hasija and Associates LLP

Rajni Hasija, Founding Partner at RR Hasija & Associates LLP and former Chairperson & MD of IRCTC, has 30+ years of experience in Indian Railways. She led IRCTC’s post-pandemic growth by launching Bharat Gaurav trains, expanding catering services, enhancing online ticketing, and profiterating other IT business of company

An expert in tourism, railways, and corporate governance, she has shaped policies and business strategies. As an Independent Director in Autope Payment Solutions Pvt Ltd and MMAD COMMUNICATIONS PRIVATE LTD, she drives regulatory compliance, risk management, digital transformation, and strategic planning to foster innovation and financial inclusion.