Colombian travelers face digital booking risks, Airbnb urges safety measures

A survey conducted by Airbnb together with market‑research firm Ipsos reveals that Colombian consumers are increasingly vulnerable to online‑booking fraud. Nearly 65 % of respondents could not distinguish AI‑generated property photos from real ones, and about 70 % said they look for ways to save on upcoming trips. Half of those surveyed would accept a bank‑transfer payment if it meant a cheaper price, despite the heightened risk.

Only about half of the participants felt capable of spotting fake websites or emails. To combat the threat, Airbnb recommends three core practices: avoid unexpected links and always use the official app or website; communicate exclusively through the Airbnb platform for messages and payments; and never send money directly to hosts or share credit‑card details outside the platform. The advice aims to protect travelers from sophisticated digital scams that exploit AI imagery and deceptive payment requests.