AI-Powered Travel Scams Explode Globally After Spain and Portugal Origins, Booking.com Warns of Rising Threat to Tourists and Hospitality Industry – Travel And Tour World

AI-powered travel scams are exploding globally, shaking the very foundation of traveler trust. What began quietly in Spain and Portugal has now surged across borders. These AI-powered attacks are targeting tourists and breaking into the heart of the hospitality industry. Booking.com warns that this rising threat isn’t just a blip—it’s a full-blown crisis. Clever, fast, and dangerously convincing, these scams are evolving daily. Meanwhile, hotels, tourist apartments, and travel platforms are under siege from digital criminals exploiting post-pandemic travel demand. The global tourism economy now faces a chilling reality: artificial intelligence isn’t just enhancing travel, it’s also weaponizing it. Behind every too-good-to-be-true deal may be an AI-powered trap. And this is only the beginning. As Booking.com raises the red flag, tourists and businesses alike must ask—how safe are our bookings, and who’s really behind the screen? The answer might surprise you. The threat is real. And growing.

In a disturbing twist for the global travel sector, the rise of sophisticated AI-powered scams has shaken the tourism industry to its core. What started quietly in Spain and Portugal has now evolved into a global cybercrime wave, impacting travelers, hotels, and online booking platforms alike.

Over the last two and a half years, scammers have grown bolder, smarter, and faster. Powered by generative AI tools, these attackers craft realistic phishing emails and deceptive booking confirmations that even seasoned users struggle to detect.

The trend exploded after the 2022 release of ChatGPT, enabling cybercriminals to mimic real customer service language, logos, and hotel confirmation formats with terrifying accuracy.

But this isn’t just about spammy emails. It’s a full-scale assault. Hotels, vacation rentals, and booking platforms are now prime targets. Once these systems are breached, scammers gain access to massive troves of customer data across multiple platforms.

Moreover, the scam techniques don’t stay secret for long. When one criminal group succeeds, they sell their method to others—causing fast, widespread damage. It’s a cybercrime marketplace in motion, fueled by urgency and greed.

Meanwhile, Booking.com has raised serious alarms about the sharp increase in these attacks, noting their organized nature and their stronghold in the post-pandemic travel rebound.

Tourists are often caught off guard. Fake confirmations, bogus hotel requests for extra payment, or fraudulent QR codes can trick even cautious travelers.

As a result, cybersecurity experts urge both travelers and businesses to stay vigilant. Two-factor authentication, updated systems, and digital skepticism are more than good habits—they’re essential travel gear now.

The implications run deep. As international travel hits all-time highs post-COVID, millions of travelers are exposed to potential fraud. Families planning once-in-a-lifetime trips could unknowingly hand over data, money, and security to invisible cyberthieves.

Tourism destinations in Europe are taking the brunt, but this is not a European-only issue. These scams have now reached North America, Asia, and beyond.

However, with awareness comes action. Travel platforms and hospitality providers are upgrading digital walls and retraining staff. Several companies have also invested in AI countermeasures—turning technology against itself.

Still, the frontline remains the traveler. From California to Lisbon, from Tokyo to Toronto, global tourists must learn to spot the warning signs.

Check URLs. Verify booking sources. Never click impulsively. Always confirm payments through official channels.

If an offer seems too perfect, too urgent, or too generous—pause. That’s often where the trap hides.

More than just a digital disruption, this AI scam wave threatens traveler trust, business credibility, and tourism’s fragile rebound.

For industry insiders, this is a call to action. The surge of post-pandemic travel brings profits—but also unprecedented risks. Ignoring them could cost more than money.

The story began in Spain and Portugal. But now, every hotel, travel platform, and airline is on alert.

The travel world must act fast. The cybercriminals already have.