Opinion: Why Cybercrime Remains Tourism's Most Dangerous Blind Spot

South Africa is under global scrutiny again this time ranked by Numbeo as the fifth most dangerous country for travellers concerned about personal security. For those of us working in tourism, its a familiar pattern. The reputational challenges around safety are front and centre in our efforts to attract and reassure international visitors. Concerns about crime, infrastructure or health often feel like the stories that steal the spotlight even while so much of our industry delivers exceptional and secure experiences.

However, while these safety concerns tend to dominate headlines and public perceptions, another threat is quietly gaining momentum behind the scenes. Its not in crowded tourism corridors or breaking news. In many cases, theres no visible sign something is wrong until systems are down, bookings disappear or confidential customer data is compromised.

Cybercrime, specifically the vulnerability of the travel and tourism sector to cyber threats, is an issue that deserves far greater attention than it typically receives.

South Africa records an astonishing nine malware attacks per second. That figure alone signals the scale of activity in the digital space. But, more specifically, data shows that South African Android users are now among the most targeted in the world regarding banking malware. The reality is that many travel companies, large and small, are increasingly operating in a highly connected, cloud-based environment where systems are efficient but also exposed.

What makes the tourism industry so appealing to cybercriminals is, ironically, the same thing that makes it so efficient and customer-focused: data. Across thousands of transactions, we collect and store an enormous volume of personal information: full names, passport and ID numbers, card and contact details, itineraries and even geolocation data. For a cybercriminal, this isnt just useful its valuable.