Travelers embrace artificial intelligence for seamless mobility - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

A new study by global technology provider Amadeus shows a strong willingness to use AI to eliminate friction points in the mobility experience.

“Global Mobility Trends: Decoded, Traveler Insights 2026” reveals that 68% of travelers would likely use an AI-powered travel assistant that suggests and books transport options; 33% say they are highly likely to do so. The survey of 3,000 travelers worldwide found that only 13% are unlikely to use AI-powered tools.

Where do travelers seek support for transport during different stages of their journey?

More than 80% of surveyed travelers value AI tools for personalized recommendations before and during the trip, and nearly 80% also value post-trip support, such as loyalty offers.

“AI is transforming traveler expectations faster than any other trend, particularly in mobility. We see this as a clear call to action. Throughout the journey, hyper-personalization and real-time accuracy are now essential, while the focus must also be on delivering mobility intelligence. Every recommendation, every update, every booking must be tailored and intuitive,” says Peter Altmann, Vice President Mobility and Travel Protection at Amadeus.

Travelers are willing to share data

Data sharing and personalization are key to shaping seamless, tailored travel experiences. Nearly half (47%) of surveyed travelers are willing to provide their driver’s license details in advance to streamline the car rental process, bypass queues, and receive their rental vehicle faster. In addition, a significant share of respondents is willing to share their travel data (42%) as well as passport or ID data (40%) to improve efficiency.

New opportunities for innovation

Online check-in ranks highest among travel-related technologies, cited by 40% of respondents, followed by strong demand for personalized route recommendations (29%) and real-time notifications of disruptions during travel (29%). Preferences vary by travel type and region: business travelers prefer personalized routes and more sustainable options, while leisure travelers value the ability to skip the counter.

Around half of respondents would consider using future mobility solutions that fundamentally change how people move, including smart infrastructure such as connected transport systems or real-time access to pick-up and drop-off zones (58%), electric or hybrid rental fleets (58%), mobility-as-a-service platforms (56%), hyperloop/ultra-high-speed transport (52%), autonomous vehicles (48%), on-demand ride-sharing (49%), and drone taxis (45%).

Sustainability justifies a price premium

More than 60% of travelers worldwide are willing to pay at least “somewhat” more for sustainable options, with this trend particularly pronounced among younger travelers. For example, 75% of Generation Z respondents and 70% of millennials would consider paying more for electric vehicles, compared with 53% of Generation X and only 41% of baby boomers.

This also applies to willingness to pay more for mobility providers with sustainability certifications. Younger generations (77% of surveyed Gen Z and 70% of millennials) would be willing to pay a premium, compared with older generations (56% of Gen X and 43% of boomers).

Challenges remain despite innovation

Whether through AI, improved sustainability options, or other technologies, the mobility sector still holds significant potential for disruptive change. Only 7% of surveyed travelers report a “completely seamless” mobility experience, with language barriers (32%), unexpected costs (31%), insufficient information (23%), and long queues (21%) cited as key problem areas.

The study “Global Mobility Trends: Decoded, Traveler Insights 2026” can be downloaded here:
https://amadeus.com/en/resources/white-paper/global-mobility-trends-decoded-traveler-insights-2026

Picture Credit: © Lalmch