Cybercrime in Tourism

Abstract

The growing digitalisation of the tourism sector has led to increased vulnerability to cross-border cybercrime, exposing gaps in international legal cooperation. This study examines the legal and jurisdictional challenges in collecting and admitting digital evidence in tourism-related cybercrime. It analyses key international frameworks, including the Budapest Convention, UNTOC, and the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, highlighting conflicts in data sharing and evidence admissibility. Case studies such as Marriott, British Airways, and MakeMyTrip reveal inconsistencies in cross-border investigations. The paper also explores the role of blockchain and zero-knowledge proofs in improving evidence integrity, while raising concerns over privacy rights under ICCPR and ECHR. Findings suggest the need for legal harmonisation, streamlined evidence-sharing procedures, and enhanced forensic capabilities to strengthen cybercrime response in the tourism industry.