India, May 4 -- Planning a trip today is very easy. All you need is a phone, WiFi, and the emotional intelligence to handle 28 saved Reels, 11 conflicting opinions, and one friend who says, "Bro, just go with the flow."

You start with something innocent-a basic keyword search: "Things to do in Japan." Ten minutes later, you are watching a video titled "This tiny cafe in Kyoto will change your life," followed by "Top 10 mistakes tourists make in Japan," followed by "Why Japan is overrated, and you should go to Taiwan."

Indian travellers, in particular, approach this process with a combination of optimism and overconfidence. We believe we can crack it. Book flights, pick hotels, and add some sightseeing-that's all it takes.

This belief u...