How rising threats – from phishing to quantum hacks—are reshaping digital risk in travel
May 22, 2025
As the travel industry accelerates its digital transformation, it is simultaneously becoming more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. With booking platforms, third-party integrations, and artificial intelligence expanding the sector’s surface area for threats, cybersecurity has emerged not just as a technology issue – but a business imperative. From phishing scams and data breaches to looming threats from quantum computing, the cost of inaction is rising. This briefing outlines the major attack vectors, strategic vulnerabilities, and expert insights on how the industry can evolve to secure its future.
Key takeaways
- Cyber threats are escalating across the travel industry, with phishing, fake listings, and account takeovers increasingly common. Booking.com reported a 500% to 900% spike in phishing attacks.
- AI is supercharging fraud, enabling scammers to create realistic fake listings and bypass biometric security measures. Two-thirds of UK adults couldn’t spot AI-generated rental images.
- Third-party integrations – especially social media, loyalty platforms, and payment gateways – expand the attack surface, as many vendors lack robust security practices.
- Human error remains a major weakness. Employees are vulnerable to phishing attacks, especially when accessing systems via spoofed search results instead of direct URLs.
- Education and training are essential defenses. Building cyber-awareness among employees and customers is as important as deploying advanced technological safeguards.
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