Global travel continues to expand as more people journey across borders for holidays, business, education, and family visits. But alongside this growth, travel-related fraud is also on the rise, exposing millions of travellers to costly scams.
According to global consumer protection reports, an estimated 13 million travellers fell victim to travel scams in 2025 alone, resulting in losses exceeding USD 13 billion worldwide. The figures highlight a troubling trend in which unsuspecting travellers are deceived by individuals posing as travel agents but who are neither licensed nor recognised by professional industry bodies.
In many cases, travellers are lured by enticing offers circulating online or on social media platforms. These promotions often advertise unusually cheap air tickets, heavily discounted holiday packages, or promises of fast-tracked visa processing. However, once payments are made, some travellers later discover that their flight tickets were never issued, hotel bookings do not exist, or the agent disappears altogether.
For many victims, this painful discovery comes only days before departure, turning what was meant to be a memorable journey into a costly and stressful experience.
With the Easter holiday season approaching, families and individuals are already making travel plans to visit loved ones or explore new destinations. The period traditionally sees a surge in travel bookings, but it is also a time when fraudsters become particularly active, targeting travellers eager to secure last-minute deals.
Travellers who rush into making payments without verifying the credibility of a travel agent risk losing both their money and their travel plans.
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) continues to urge travellers to use accredited travel agents who operate under strict professional standards and industry regulations. Such agents provide legitimate travel services, ensure bookings are processed through recognised reservation systems, and offer guidance on visas, travel insurance, and destination requirements.
More importantly, accredited agents are accountable to recognised industry bodies, giving travellers an added layer of protection and confidence when making their travel arrangements.
At KATA, protecting travellers and promoting professionalism within the travel industry remains a key priority. The association continues to champion high standards, integrity, and accountability among its members, who are recognised as certified travel agents operating within a professional framework that ensures transparency, ethical conduct, and reliable travel services for the public.
This year, the association will also address the growing challenge of fraud during the Kenya Travel Industry Payments Summit (KTRIPS) 2026, KATA’s flagship forum dedicated to the evolving payments ecosystem within the travel sector.
The summit will take place on 25 March 2026 from 8:00 a.m. at PrideInn Azure Hotel in Nairobi’s Westlands area, under the theme:
“Risk-Proofing Travel Agencies: Effective Fraud Management in a Digital Payment Era.”
The event comes at a critical moment as digital fraud continues to affect the global travel sector. Industry estimates indicate that the travel industry loses between USD 11 billion and USD 25 billion annually to payment-related fraud, including stolen card transactions, fake bookings, account takeovers, and chargebacks. High-value airline tickets and hotel reservations are among the most frequently targeted transactions.
On the consumer side, fraud attempts such as phishing, smishing, and identity-based scams remain widespread, underscoring the urgent need for stronger risk-management strategies across the travel payments ecosystem.
Certified travel agents undergo verification and operate under industry standards designed to safeguard travellers. They provide genuine travel bookings, professional advice on destinations and visa requirements, and support in the event of travel disruptions.
Most importantly, they are accountable and committed to delivering quality service, ensuring that travellers’ investments and expectations are protected.
As Easter travel plans gather momentum, KATA encourages travellers to book their journeys through certified travel agents. By doing so, travellers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their trips are being handled by professionals who adhere to the ethics and standards of the travel industry.
Travel should be an exciting and fulfilling experience. By choosing certified travel agents, travellers not only protect themselves from fraud but also help support a professional and trustworthy travel industry.
