The tourism industry in 2024 may face a range of problems, among which the main ones are security issues, with questions of ongoing wars, terrorism, an increase in cyber attacks, and economic upheavals, which may affect tourist demand and consumption, according to predictions from the World Tourism Network.
– Now that the December holidays are over, tourism workers are returning to the world of work and new challenges. The past 2023 was not easy; we can call it a ‘rollercoaster year’ in which the world, including tourism, was simultaneously recovering from COVID and facing wars in Europe and the Middle East, as well as health and economic problems, social unrest, and increasingly poor services. The consequences of this will have to be taken into account in the preparation and planning for 2024, along with facing new problems, comment the network.
‘Mutation’ of Terrorism
Among the security issues that pose a significant threat to tourism, the rise of radical terrorist groups and uncontrolled borders are particularly highlighted, which is why they believe that security experts in tourism will have even more work in 2024.
“Terrorism has not decreased but mutated. One-cell terrorism or ‘lone wolf’ has become a greater threat to the tourism industry, as they are harder to detect than before, and terrorists are also adept at social media and have learned to adapt the media to their needs,” assess analysts from the network.
Cyber Crime Continues to ‘Haunt’
They particularly warn of the rise of cyber crime, which was once relatively rare in tourism but has now become one of its main problems and is expected to continue to ‘haunt’ the tourism industry in 2024.
This is linked to the fact that many areas of tourism have introduced cashless payment options and credit cards, which can be stolen and used without permission. If travelers are afraid to use cards due to such thefts, this payment system is jeopardized, which is why public and private security officials will have to pay even more attention to this new threat.
Cyber attacks on large corporations are also becoming more frequent, and now entities such as hotel chains and airlines may be more ‘vulnerable’ to these attacks.
– Cyber attacks on airline computers can be more devastating than the September 11 attacks and completely halt flights, and the fact that airplanes are now equipped with Wi-Fi networks during flights is both a convenience and a threat. Therefore, tourism can no longer afford to have only legal and security experts but will need them in more areas, including a so-called tourist police that will deal with various issues from fraud and petty theft to terrorism and crowd control, warn analysts.
