As holiday season picks up, so do the scams — with cyber thieves targeting holiday bookings more and more via spam emails and phishing websites. To counter this, UAE travel businesses are beefing up their defenses, and the statistics reflect it: a staggering 85% of travel companies in the Emirates now employ sophisticated DMARC email security measures to protect their travelers.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) technology assists in authenticating emails, preventing scammers from posing as travel agencies and tricking unwary tourists into sharing sensitive personal and financial details. As travel scams are on the increase, particularly during Eid, summer holidays, and winter seasons, this added layer of security is more important than ever before.
Travel fraud victims usually suffer more than money loss — many are left stranded at airports or turn up at phantom hotels after shelling out substantial funds. The UAE’s aggressive response is being cited as a model in the region, with authorities collaborating with private travel websites to crack down on scams and rebuild confidence in online reservations.
Consumers are encouraged to stay alert: always make a booking on authenticated platforms, inspect email senders closely, and steer clear of clicking links in unwanted messages. With cybersecurity and consumer vigilance hand in hand, UAE tourists can anticipate a safer, scam-free booking experience this year.