Thursday, June 20, 2024 As summer approaches and travelers eagerly plan their getaways, Booking.com, a leading travel platform, has raised alarms about a surge in AI-enabled travel scams. According to Marnie Wilking, Chief Information Security Officer at Booking.
com, the hospitality industry, once considered relatively safe from such attacks, is now a prime target for cybercriminals leveraging advanced AI tools. Nader El Biblawi , Chairman of the Egypt Travel Agent Association , says “I urge Saudi tour operators and travelers to use Destination Management Companies (DMCs). Relying on online or self-initiated tools does not provide the same level of security and peace of mind as working with professional DMCs.
They are well-versed in the region and can offer comprehensive and secure travel experiences. This is my primary message wherever I go in the GCC: use DMCs and travel agencies for your vacations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip”. Phishing scams, where attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive information like login credentials or financial details, have been a persistent threat since the early days of email.
However, with the advent of generative AI tools, these attacks have become more sophisticated and harder to detect. Wilking highlighted a staggering increase in phishing attacks, ranging from 500% to 900% across various industries over the past 18 months. She pointed out that AI ‘s ability to generate convincing and grammatically correct messages in.
