Last week, I found myself staring at my phone, juggling five different apps to plan a weekend getaway to San Diego. Sound familiar? That travel planning headache might soon be history thanks to Swiggy’s latest venture.
The food delivery giant just piloted “Crew,” an AI-powered travel and lifestyle concierge app that caught my attention immediately. Having survived countless trips organized through screenshot folders and notes apps, this feels like a game-changer.
Crew isn’t just another booking platform. It’s designed as your personal travel assistant that handles everything from suggesting destinations to booking hotels and activities. The app creates customized itineraries based on your preferences and budget constraints.
What makes this different is how Swiggy leverages its massive user data and AI capabilities. The company already knows so much about our dining preferences through its food delivery service. Now they’re expanding that personalization to travel.
“We’re applying our understanding of consumer preferences to new lifestyle categories,” explained a Swiggy spokesperson when I reached out for details. The app is currently being tested with select users in major Indian cities.
I spoke with Maya Sharma, a travel blogger who got early access. “It feels intuitive. The app remembered my preference for boutique hotels and vegetarian food options without me having to input that information repeatedly,” she told me.
The timing couldn’t be better. Post-pandemic travel has evolved, with 78% of travelers now valuing personalized experiences over generic tourist packages, according to recent Epochedge Lifestyle research.
Crew also integrates sustainability options, allowing users to filter for eco-friendly accommodations and low-carbon transportation choices. This aligns perfectly with the growing conscious travel movement that’s reshaping tourism globally.
Swiggy isn’t the first to enter this space. Competition from established travel platforms and newer AI-driven services will be fierce. MakeMyTrip and Airbnb have already enhanced their offerings with smart recommendation engines.
However, Swiggy’s advantage lies in its massive existing user base and deep understanding of Indian consumer preferences. The company has built trust through its food delivery business that could translate well to travel services.
For frequent travelers like me, the biggest appeal is having one centralized platform. No more switching between flight apps, hotel websites, and review platforms. Crew promises to consolidate everything into a seamless experience.
The app also offers what they’re calling “insider tips” drawn from user reviews and local experts. These curated recommendations might help travelers discover hidden gems beyond typical tourist spots.
Currently, Crew focuses on domestic Indian destinations, but international options are expected in future updates. The initial rollout includes major tourist spots like Goa, Kerala, and Rajasthan, with more niche destinations coming soon.
Privacy concerns remain, though. Travel preferences reveal a lot about our personal lives, and Epochedge news has previously reported on the growing scrutiny of how tech companies handle such sensitive data.
Swiggy assures users that data protection is a priority, with encryption standards and clear opt-out options for those concerned about how their information might be used across the company’s ecosystem.
The app is expected to roll out to more users by early next year, with additional lifestyle services possibly joining the platform. Swiggy seems committed to transforming from a food delivery service to a comprehensive lifestyle brand.
Would you trust your vacation planning to an AI assistant? As someone who’s spent countless hours comparing flight prices and reading hotel reviews, I’m cautiously optimistic. The true test will be seeing if Crew can truly understand what makes a trip memorable.
After all, travel isn’t just about efficient booking—it’s about those unexpected moments that become stories we tell for years. Can AI help create those too? I’m eager to find out on my next adventure.