OpenAI is backing away from handling bookings and other purchases directly inside ChatGPT, instead moving transactions to third‑party apps; the shift boosted travel stocks Booking.com and Expedia, with analysts calling it a surprising retreat that highlights the operational complexity of AI‑driven commerce and the enduring role of traditional online travel agents.
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting travelers through scams when booking holiday travel. These scams range from phishing emails pretending to be hotels to fake rental listings and disappearing airline tickets. To protect yourself, experts recommend being cautious of urgent or pressured messages, knowing that almost anything can be faked, avoiding clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails, contacting businesses or third-party platforms directly using verified contact information, being wary of online ads and using reputable third-party booking sites, looking for reviews and verifying the existence of properties on review sites, avoiding wire transfers and using secure payment methods, remaining vigilant when using public Wi-Fi networks and considering using a VPN, and considering using a travel agent for added protection.