Travel and tourism is a ‘happy’ industry, where suppliers and travel advisors work together with consumers to make their destination dreams come true.
People tend to let their guards down a bit when they’re on the road, absorbing new sights, smells and flavours, and making new human connections.
Unfortunately, that can lead to vulnerability, and there are predatory people everywhere in the world looking to separate unwary travellers from their cash.
There are all kinds of tourist scams out there, from the ever-present taxi driver rip-offs to ‘free gifts’ that aren’t really free. Other schemes can take the form of ‘kind strangers’ seeking to improve their English over a drink and chat at overpriced restaurants – and then ducking out before the outrageous bill arrives.
Avoiding such scams is all about situational awareness and remembering the old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
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Cybercriminal. (photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus/ipopba)
There are also more sophisticated scams, often online, that target travel advisors or those wishing to enter the business. With the travel industry in full flight post-pandemic, the industry is once again being seen as a potentially profitable source of income, and more and more people are interested in getting into the business.
For scammers, that represents an opportunity.
The best way to protect yourself from scammers is to use common sense. For example, Travelpulse.ca or Travelpulse.com would never, for any reason, request your banking information or ask you to send money for training or any other purpose. We are free, online trade publications supported by supplier advertising dollars.
The same goes for any reputable host agency. While there may be sign-up costs and monthly fees for services provided, there is never a need to immediately send money to secure a place within the organization. If anyone suggests a necessity to send money, that’s a big red flag.
The bottom-line is to think before you act, whether you’re a tourist in a strange place, or someone interested in starting a travel career. A moment of reflection and thought can save a lot of potential grief.
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