Mehul Sharma,

Founder & CEO, Signum Hotels and Resorts.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in promoting sustainable travel in India, a country known for its diverse ecosystems and rich cultural heritage. AI-driven platforms are enhancing traveler experiences while minimizing environmental impact. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can optimize travel routes, recommend eco-friendly accommodations, and offer personalized travel itineraries that prioritize sustainability. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are helping travelers make informed decisions, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional travel planning. In India, where sustainable tourism is gaining momentum, AI is aiding in the development of smart cities and green transportation networks, further supporting eco-friendly travel. Furthermore, AI-driven monitoring systems are being used to preserve wildlife and natural habitats, ensuring that tourism growth does not come at the cost of the environment. By integrating AI into the travel industry, India is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Murlidhar Rao,

Chief Operating Officer, Araiya Hotels & Resorts

The entire world and human ecosystem is on the verge of transformation, in some cases, very radical, to reduce the carbon footprint; to sustainable practices to explore the world and travel; to preserving the natural and cultural habitats for the future generations.

With the resurgence of enhanced smart handheld devices and tethered accessories such as smart eye glasses and smart wrist devices, we are now able to harness not only data but also analytics on subjects which improve destination management.

AI related technology and Machine Learning algorithms improve the conservation of resources, effective inventory management and control, and optimise fuel, energy and water consumption in operations.

Travel agencies, OTAs and consolidators are also using AI enhanced chatbots to optimise the guest itinerary to manage both the guest preferences and optimal travel arrangements, to reduce the carbon footprint.

There has been an increased awareness in the general demographics, for ESG practices, and the enhanced AI tools correlate data that is available for the destination and the resort, to allow guests to make informed choices, and in some cases, pay a premium for the ESG endeavour.

We at Araiya Hotels & Resorts, have engaged a third party independent advisory, to assess and advise us on the ESG focus and allow us to set targets for improving the scores.  

Gaurav Miglani

Area Director North Goa and General Manager Taj Holiday village Resort & Spa, Goa

Artificial Intelligence has been a catalyst for sustainable travel. India with its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, is a popular tourist destination. The rapid growth of tourism has also led to concerns about environmental impact and social sustainability. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising solution to these challenges, enabling more responsible and sustainable travel experiences by personalised recommendations, efficient resource management, carbon footprint reduction, reservation of cultural heritage.

AI-powered algorithms can quickly sift through large data to provide curated recommendations based on past experiences or places travelled. This includes suggestions for eco-friendly accommodations, sustainable activities, and local experiences, reducing the environmental impact of mass tourism. AI could help optimising resource allocation in tourism destinations. Also, by analysing

on visitor flows, demand for services, and resource availability, AI can help advise the policy makers to prevent overtourism and ensure that resources are used efficiently and sustainably

Optimisation of transportation routes would help reducing energy consumption, and minimize waste generation in the tourism industry. While contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage, identifying vulnerable sites strategies could be developed for conservation. Facilitating development of community-based tourism initiatives by connecting travelers with local communities and promoting sustainable economic development.

Travel planning apps can provided personalised recommendations for sustainable travel experiences, including eco – friendly accommodations, local transport options and sustainable activities matching travelers with local guides, artisans, and entrepreneurs, supporting the livelihoods of local people.

Poonam Tipnis,

Sr. Vice President Sales & Central reservations, Niraamaya Retreats

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming India’s travel and tourism sector by promoting sustainability and improving operational efficiency. By processing large datasets, AI provides insights that help develop sustainable tourism practices. Machine learning algorithms analyze visitor patterns, allowing managers to predict and mitigate environmental impacts. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants offer personalized travel experiences, guiding tourists toward eco-friendly activities and responsible behavior.

AI also enhances resource management in hospitality by dynamically adjusting energy use and reducing waste. Blockchain technology complements these efforts by ensuring transaction transparency and traceability. Blockchain’s immutable ledgers build trust and allow travelers to verify eco-certifications and ethical claims. Smart contracts streamline bookings and payments, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards and empowering local communities in tourism management. While AI offers significant benefits for sustainable travel, it also presents challenges related to governance, ethics, and societal impacts, which require careful consideration.

Narayan Tharoor,

General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott & Port Muziris Kochi

As our industry embraces the future, the integration of sustainability and artificial intelligence is shaping a new era. With AI and eco-conscious practices as guides, hotels are navigating toward a new era where efficiency meets responsibility. AI-powered systems will be helpful for hotels to optimize energy usage by adjusting lighting, heating, and air conditioning based on real-time occupancy data, significantly reducing waste. Similarly, smart sensors in guest rooms conserve energy by automatically powering down appliances when they are not needed. AI’s impact on water conservation is equally impressive, as it monitors usage, detects leaks, and ensures efficient water management throughout hotel operations.

The synergy allows us to operate more efficiently while meeting the increasing demand for eco-friendly travel options in our country. As travelers become more environmentally conscious, AI not only helps reduce operational costs but also positions hotels to offer a responsible, future-focused experience. In this way, the integration becomes essential to deliver both high-quality service and environmental stewardship in hospitality

Anuradha Venkatachalam

Hotel Captain, Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud

At Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud, we’re setting a new standard in hospitality by integrating AI and sustainable technology into our guest experience. Our newest addition, a ‘Made in India’ autonomous robot, highlights our drive to blend innovation with superior service. Guests are welcomed by this friendly robot, which not only offers hotel information but also serves up cocktails upon arrival. With its seamless integration with the elevator system, the robot ensures prompt and accurate room service deliveries, enhancing efficiency and creating a more engaging stay.

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations, and this extends to energy management and waste reduction. Our AI-driven smart thermostats and lighting systems optimize heating, cooling, and lighting based on real-time occupancy and weather forecasts, significantly cutting down energy consumption and costs. Additionally, predictive maintenance algorithms help forecast equipment issues before they arise, allowing us to maintain systems efficiently and prevent unnecessary energy waste.

In waste management, AI plays a crucial role in improving the sorting of materials, ensuring that recyclables are effectively separated from general waste. It also predicts waste generation patterns, allowing us to adjust our practices and minimize overall waste production. Moxy’s embrace of AI underscores our commitment to offering a playful yet eco-conscious guest experience, reinforcing our role in advancing tech-driven, sustainable hospitality while supporting India’s broader goals for environmental stewardship.

Narayan Mishra,

CTO & Co-founder, Tummoc – Public Transit App

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a key player in promoting sustainable travel in India by making our transportation systems smarter and greener. Through AI, we can achieve better route planning, which helps cut down on traffic congestion and reduce emissions. For example, AI can predict traffic flows and suggest alternative routes in real time, helping both public and private vehicles save fuel and travel time.

When it comes to public transportation, AI-driven analytics have the potential to make a significant impact. By predicting peak travel times, improving scheduling, and managing passenger loads more effectively, AI makes public transit more efficient and appealing. This can encourage more people to choose public transport over private vehicles, leading to a reduction in overall carbon emissions.

Moreover, AI facilitates the integration of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms, providing commuters with seamless access to various transport options. These platforms analyze real-time data to offer personalized, eco-friendly travel choices, such as ride-sharing or routes with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This interconnected ecosystem not only enhances the user experience but also promotes a more sustainable approach to urban mobility.

Overall, AI is helping to pave the way for a smarter, greener future for travel in India by optimizing efficiency, lowering emissions, and encouraging eco-friendly commuting habits. This technology enables us to make more informed and sustainable choices about how we move around our cities, which is crucial for our environmental and societal well-being.

Sanjay Ghare,

CO-Founder & CEO, Vervotech

AI has a significant role in advancing sustainable travel in India; it enables the industry to operate with enhanced efficiency and customer-centric services. AI facilitates fast transactions, effective price comparisons, demand-oriented personalization of services, and improved decision-making for tourists. AI applications in booking systems can analyze past data and predict future prices, enabling tourists to access the best travel deals and optimize travel schedules with greater precision. Furthermore, AI-powered language translators, such as Google Translate, play a crucial role in easing cross-border travel by overcoming language barriers, which is particularly beneficial in a multilingual country like India. Virtual reality, chatbots, and AI-driven systems provide 24/7 customer support, helping tourists with booking modifications and answering frequently asked questions efficiently. These technologies enhance the overall tourist experience, making the industry more adaptable and responsive to the evolving demands of travelers. AI also introduces advancements in safety protocols through facial recognition technology, which speeds up check-in processes, ensures security, and reduces fraud. While the application of AI in India’s tourism industry presents vast opportunities for sustainability and growth, it must also address the socio-economic challenges, such as job displacement, that may arise due to automation.