The rise of cyber crime in the UK and its impact on travel businesses
04-Dec-2025
Category: News Stories
Reports of high profile and sometimes existential cyber attacks on major UK companies and institutions have become an almost daily occurrence in recent times.
Recent data suggests over 43% of businesses have suffered such attacks in the last 12 months ranging from micro businesses to SME’s and PLC’s.
In today’s digital age, UK tour operators and agents face increasing exposure to cyber threats that can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, and damage reputations. As travel businesses rely heavily on online booking systems, digital payments, and customer databases, they have become attractive targets for cybercriminals. Attacks such as ransomware, malware, phishing, cloning, fraud and data theft can lead to significant financial losses, business interruption, and loss of customer trust.
A single cyber incident can cripple an operator’s booking platform or expose clients’ personal and financial details, inviting scrutiny from regulators and financial penalty. Smaller travel businesses which can lack dedicated IT security and support, are particularly vulnerable and may struggle to recover without external and sometimes expensive intervention.
To mitigate these risks, cyber insurance has become an essential safeguard. Comprehensive policies can cover costs associated with data recovery, system restoration, legal expenses, and public relations management following an attack. Insurers are also offering risk scanning and cyber health checks to reduce the likelihood of incidents. Punitive damages for failure to adequately protect customer data can be severe.
In a competitive travel industry increasingly dependent on digital systems, and data protection, investing in robust cyber security measures and suitable insurance coverage is vital to ensuring resilience, bottom line financial protection and customer confidence.
Please contact us for a free, no obligation cyber insurance quote: lee.hills@jensten.co.uk or alan.pattison@jensten.co.uk
