As artificial intelligence and flexible financing continue to grow in everyday life, they are now reshaping how UAE residents plan, book, and pay for travel.
Online travel platform musafir.com is adapting to this shift by blending smart technology with personal support.
AI in travel planning
AI tools are no longer limited to back-end systems. Increasingly, travelers in the UAE — particularly younger generations — are using conversational AI for itinerary planning, visa advice, and booking support. Recent studies show that over 60% of UAE residents use AI for trip planning, and 68% rely on it for bookings.
musafir.com has already integrated this shift into its customer experience. The company’s WhatsApp-based travel bot provides instant answers to common queries, such as visa requirements based on nationality, itinerary suggestions, and day-by-day package plans. It also shares Google reviews when asked about service quality, and routes complex queries to human travel advisors.
Flexible payments gain ground
In addition to AI, affordability is another evolving trend. musafir.com has seen growing interest in ‘Travel Now, Pay Later’ (TNPL) options, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. These customers are opting for installment-based payments for long-haul trips to Europe and Asia. The platform has enabled this through partnerships with banks and fintech firms in the region.
“Travel aspirations are stronger than ever, and flexible payments are making them more achievable,” said Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com. “When you combine that with the personalization AI promises, it’s clear the industry is headed toward smarter, more accessible travel experiences.”
Balancing tech with human support
While AI improves efficiency and customization, the company believes human input still plays a key role.
“We believe the future of travel is a hybrid mode where AI delivers speed, transparency, and customization, and human experts add empathy, contextual judgment, and cultural insight,” said Vishal Arora, Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) of musafir.com.
“At musafir.com, we’re already making that future real: from AI-powered itinerary generation and smart ticketing engines to our WhatsApp bot, document-scan visa assistant, and dynamic corporate travel dashboards all working behind the scenes. Meanwhile, our travel specialists step in where experience, judgment, and personal care matter most. In this way, we make travel simpler, smarter, and truly personal while constantly innovating and bringing new aspects to it.”
A changing travel landscape
As the UAE continues to invest in AI innovation, musafir.com sees the integration of AI-powered planning and flexible financing as a major shift in the region’s travel industry.
“Travelers don’t just want information they want insight. They don’t want complexity they want clarity,” added Babu. “The future of travel is AI-powered, human-supported, and financially flexible. At musafir.com, we’re building toward exactly that.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
