YouTube Now Guides Indian Trip Plans: Video-First Holidays, Says Google report

A new Google report with research firm Kantar says Indians now lean on video before they pick a place to go. The study, “Travel Rewired: Decoding the Indian Traveller,” finds that 68% of travellers in India look to the Google video platform for ideas, and 88% say they are eager to travel in the near future.

From budget focus to comfort and value

The study notes a clear shift in how people think about money when they plan trips. At home, 72% say cost matters less now, and 81% expect to spend more for better stays, food, and local experiences. For trips abroad, the average spend already stands at over three times the amount for a trip inside India.

This trend links travel and technology in a tight way. As people spend more, they want better tools and cleaner information. That is where technology from Google’s products steps in, helping users compare hotels, flights, and activities quickly instead of calling agents or visiting many sites.

Video-first inspiration and creator power

The same travel report highlights how video leads the first spark of interest. YouTube creators now shape where people go next, with 59% of travelers saying they trust these voices while they plan. Two in five viewers say short vertical clips play a role in their early ideas for a trip.

This rise of video also boosts travel content creation. Every strong guide, hotel review, or city vlog from a travel content creator can act like a live brochure. A single content creator can move thousands toward one beach, hill town, or temple complex, especially when their clips show prices, routes, and stay options clearly.

For brands, this means youtube for travel is a key link in sales. RedBus, for example, reports better search interest and lower customer acquisition cost after using both long clips and short ads on the platform.

Search, AI, and the rise of digital bookings

Once travellers have locked on to a place, they move to Google Travel Search. The study shows 85% of Indian travellers now prefer to book online, and trust in the brand sits at the top when they pick both airlines and stays.

Search use runs deep. Over half rely on it for key activities such as city tours or local transport, and nearly half use it to compare hotels and stays. This is pure digital travel behaviour, where screens replace paper guides, and reviews matter more than old word of mouth.

Google’s ad tools now use machine learning to place offers in front of high intent users. For one online travel partner, AI-driven formats brought a 50% jump in return on ad spend and lower cost per booking. This is a live case of travel and AI lifting both reach and revenue.

As a result, digital travel planning is no longer a niche habit. It runs from the first search term to the last click on a payment page.

Four traveller types every marketer must know

The Google Travel study sorts Indians into four clear segments. Memory Makers chase niche breaks like live gigs or sports events and tap around ten online touchpoints before they decide. Globe Trotters spend more than a week researching, prefer comfort, and lean on creator clips for fine details. Novice Travellers, often young and on their first trip as payers, try to close plans fast and look up creator advice to feel safe about their choices. Religious Pilgrims, a budget-focused group, searches in many Indian languages and turns to video for clear shots of routes, rituals, and crowd levels.

All four groups point to the same pattern: digital travel habits and creator-led research now cut across age, budget, and city tier.

What does this shift mean next

The data in this latest Google report sends a blunt message. Any brand that sells trips, stays, or experiences in India must treat video, search, and digital travel planning as its main front door. The mix of Google Travel Search, creator clips, and AI-driven ads now guides real bookings, not just soft interest.

For marketers, build for Google Travel ecosystems, respect how travel and technology shape each click, keep technology simple for first-time users, and work with creators who can explain routes and stays in plain language. In this space, the brand that best links screens, clips, and offers will win the next wave of Indian holidays long before the first ticket gets booked.