Cyberattacks on tourism companies: an alert for the sector in 2026

In recent days, several have come to the fore again cyberattacks on tourism companies, just as the industry is preparing for the peak season of 2026. These incidents highlight an increasingly obvious reality: tourism has become a priority objective for cybercriminals due to the large volume of personal data and transactions it manages.

Beyond the specific impact on the affected companies, these cases highlight the real risks faced by enterprise IT security in a highly digitalized sector.

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What is known about cyberattacks on tourism companies?

According to information recently published in specialized media in the tourism sector, several relevant companies have suffered computer attacks that have affected their systems or the exposure of customer data.

Among the most prominent incidents are:

• Booking.com: detected phishing campaigns aimed at hotels and suppliers using its platform, with the objective of obtaining credentials and accessing management accounts.
• MGM Resorts: suffered an attack that affected internal systems, causing operational interruptions and causing significant economic losses.
• Expedia: was the victim of fraud campaigns that sought to compromise user and employee accounts.
• Airbnb: It had to tighten its controls after detecting fraudulent attempts to access host accounts.
• Airports and reservation systems: Some recent incidents have affected digital systems that manage reservations and operations.

Although each case has different characteristics, they all share a common denominator: the exploitation of digital vulnerabilities to access critical systems or steal sensitive information.

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Why the tourism sector is a target for cybercriminals

Tourism has become one of the most attractive sectors for attackers for several strategic reasons.

Tourism companies usually:

1. Managing large volumes of personal data
   • Passports
   • Credit cards
   • Travel Information
2. Trading with multiple digital platforms
   • Reservation systems
   • Mobile apps
   • Integrations with agencies and suppliers
3. Depend on service availability
   • An interruption may affect reservations, flights or stays.
4. Working with multiple third parties
   • Integrations with vendors, OTAs and external platforms.

All of this significantly expands the attack surface, making it easier for a security breach in a specific system to end up affecting the entire operational chain.

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How do these types of attacks occur

Although each incident is different, many cyberattacks in the tourism sector follow similar patterns.

These types of attacks are usually caused by five main causes:

1. Phishing aimed at employees
   • Emails that simulate communications from customers or suppliers.
2. Credential theft
   • Access to reservation management accounts or administrative panels.
3. Vulnerabilities in web applications
   • Poorly protected booking platforms or payment systems.
4. Lack of segmentation in internal networks
   • It allows an attacker to climb privileges once inside.
5. Insecure integrations with third parties
   • APIs or external services with insufficient controls.

In many cases, the problem is not just a technical vulnerability, but a combination of technological, human and organizational failures.

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Key lessons for companies in the tourism sector

Recent incidents offer important lessons for any company in the sector, from hotel chains to travel agencies or digital platforms.

Key lessons include:

• Conduct regular cybersecurity audits to detect vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
• Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA) in access to critical systems.
• Monitor network activity and accesses to detect abnormal behavior.
• Train employees against phishing attacks and other social engineering techniques.
• Establish incident response plans that make it possible to react quickly to a security breach.

Organizations that anticipate risks and establish appropriate controls significantly reduce the impact of a computer attack.

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Cybersecurity as a strategic priority in tourism

The recent cyberattacks on tourism companies demonstrate that digital security is no longer just a technological issue, but a key element for business continuity and customer trust.

The digitalization of tourism has created enormous opportunities, but it has also increased exposure to threats that can affect the reputation, operations and financial stability of companies.

The organizations that make up the cybersecurity in your business strategy they will be better prepared to face an increasingly complex digital environment.

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Apolo Cybersecurity

In Apolo Cybersecurity we help companies in all sectors — including tourism — to anticipate risks and strengthen their enterprise IT security by means of:

• Cybersecurity Audits
• Vulnerability analysis and pentesting
• 24/7 SOC monitoring
• CISO as a Service Services
• Cybersecurity training and awareness

If your organization wants to evaluate its current level of protection against a Cyberattack, we can help you identify vulnerabilities and reinforce the security of your systems.

Contact our team and request a Cybersecurity Assessment for Your Company.