CYBERATTACKS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: THREATS AND CHALLENGES TO CYBERRESILIENCE

Abstract

The tourism industry is undergoing significant transformations under the influence of digitalization, which includes the introduction of online platforms, booking systems, mobile applications, cloud services and digital payment instruments. Digital technologies provide increased accessibility of tourism services, personalization of offers and optimization of business processes, but at the same time significantly increase the level of vulnerability of tourism enterprises to cyberattacks. The accumulation of significant volumes of personal and payment data of tourists, the integration of numerous information systems and the involvement of external providers of digital services form a complex and potentially dangerous digital ecosystem of tourism. The article examines the impact of cyberattacks on the functioning of the tourism industry in the context of digital transformation. The essence of the concept of «cyberattack» in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine is revealed and the most famous examples of cyber incidents in the international tourism market are summarized. The main types of cyber threats, including phishing, social engineering, data breaches, ransomware attacks and supply chain compromise, are analyzed, and their consequences for various tourism business entities are identified. It is substantiated that cyber incidents cause not only direct financial losses, but also long-term reputational risks, disruption of the continuity of tourism services, and a decrease in consumer trust. Particular attention is paid to the problem of insufficient cyber resilience of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, which are often the most vulnerable link in the digital tourism environment. Cyberspace is becoming significantly more complex and less predictable, which is caused by the accelerated implementation of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. It is concluded that cybersecurity in modern tourism is not only a technical, but also a strategic management task, the solution of which is a necessary condition for the sustainable development and competitiveness of the tourism industry in the digital economy.