In 2024 and 2025, the South African hospitality sector was largely defined by its recovery efforts. As we move through 2026, the industrys focus has fundamentally shifted from merely getting back on our feet to mastering a landscape of rapidly evolving risks. Survival is no longer the benchmark success now belongs to those smart enough to navigate an environment that changes almost daily.
From the widespread integration of new technologies to the tangible impacts of unpredictable weather, staying protected in 2026 requires a deeper understanding of the forces currently reshaping our industry.
The first major shift involves the artificial intelligence AI revolution. With almost every guest now using AI to plan their journeys, tourism businesses are handling more digital data than ever before. While this drives efficiency, it also opens a new front of vulnerability. In 2026, if guest data is hacked or lost, the fallout is no longer just a technical issue it is a major liability. Ensuring coverage accounts for these digital footprints is essential. In addition to operational efficiencies, the rapid adoption of AI has introduced a new wave of digital fraud risks that insurers are now closely monitoring. Increasingly sophisticated AI-driven scams, such as deepfake voice instructions, AI-generated images and videos, have changed the landscape of claims processing and the risk details needed at underwriting drastically.
