Ixigo has officially overhauled its travel platform, moving away from traditional search bars and filters in favor of a rebuilt app centered entirely around TARA, a multimodal AI assistant. Unveiled at the ixigo NEXT tech event, the update signals a shift toward “conversational travel,” where booking a trip is intended to feel as natural as chatting with a friend.
TARA: A Multimodal Core
Unlike typical chatbots that act as secondary plug-ins, TARA is integrated into the app’s core architecture. This allows the assistant to offer a more seamless experience:
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Interaction: Supports voice, text, and touch inputs.
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Languages: Currently fluent in English, Hindi, and Hinglish, with more regional languages planned.
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Contextual Intelligence: By accessing booking history and user patterns, TARA can handle complex requests, such as planning multi-city itineraries or finding landmark-facing hotel rooms without requiring manual filters.
Beyond the Booking: AI Agents & “Trip Mode”
The revamp introduces “agentic” services, where AI proactively manages logistics without constant user input.
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Automated Updates: The system can automatically update boarding passes in Apple or Google Wallets and Digi Yatra if gate numbers or schedules change.
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Real-Time Logistics: TARA monitors flight delays, manages cancellations, and even coordinates with hotels to ensure rooms are ready before a traveler arrives.
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Trip Mode: A new unified dashboard that consolidates boarding passes, baggage belt info, and terminal updates into one real-time interface.
Predictive Assistance
The AI is designed to interpret indirect prompts. For instance, telling the assistant, “I forgot my anniversary, help me,” will prompt TARA to suggest personalized staycations or short trips based on the user’s past preferences.
According to Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, this evolution reflects a broader industry trend where platforms move from being simple booking engines to comprehensive AI assistants that support travelers before, during, and after their journey.
