Dubai, UAE – October 6, 2025 – From planning a dream vacation to paying for it, two powerful shifts are redefining the way people travel: the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the growing popularity of flexible payment options. musafir.com, the region’s leading online travel platform, believes these forces will shape the future of travel and that success will come from combining technology with the human touch.

Across the industry, AI is moving from being a back-end enabler to the traveler’s starting point. Instead of endless browsing through dozens of tabs, younger travelers are increasingly turning to conversational AI tools for curated itineraries, visa advice, and destination comparisons. Global studies show that over 60% of UAE residents already use AI for trip planning, while 68% rely on it for bookings. Analysts warn that traditional search-driven traffic could decline sharply as travelers shift to “asking” AI rather than “searching” online.

Raheesh Babu, COO, musafir.com