‘Booking platforms have key role in preventing holiday fraud’

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Digitisation makes holidays easier, but also makes travellers and business owners more vulnerable to fraud. More and more bookings, payments and communication take place via digital platforms, and contact with accommodation owners has largely moved online. Business owners and travellers can take measures themselves to prevent fraud, but booking platforms must take responsibility for prevention.

Difficult distinction between a different payment culture and fraud

During a holiday, travellers are faced with many new experiences, as a result of which familiar routines fall away. That makes it difficult to distinguish between something that is simply ‘different’ and actual fraud: might paying via WhatsApp be quite normal in this country? Is it really compulsory to send your passport and credit card details in advance?

Travellers and business owners both lose out

Both travellers and entrepreneurs are increasingly falling victim to fraud. Digital tools increase convenience, but at the same time significantly increase the risk. Small business owners in particular are vulnerable. Small hospitality entrepreneurs often lack the right digital skills and resources to deal proactively with cybersecurity.

What travellers and entrepreneurs can do themselves

Travellers and entrepreneurs rely on well-known platforms to prevent, flag and quickly resolve fraud. If that does not happen, it not only damages their trust, but also the competitive advantage of the platforms themselves. Travellers and entrepreneurs can also take precautions themselves, for example by carefully considering what information they share, and by checking a payment request with the entrepreneur over the phone.

The key lies with the platforms

However, the real prevention work lies with the platforms themselves, as they play the greatest role in information flows and their security. If that does not happen, trust in digital platforms threatens to be permanently damaged, and travellers and businesses will ultimately choose less convenience, but more transparency and control.

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