Stakeholders in the travel industry are being urged to fortify payment processing systems with high-tech solutions to enhance security, efficiency and profitability.

This follows rising concerns over payment fraud, which continues to pose risks to both travellers and businesses.

Juanita Omanga, Deputy Director of the Digital Payment Services Division at the Central Bank of Kenya, warned that digital fraud, phishing scams, and cross-border payment delays remain major challenges, affecting not just individual travelers but also airlines and small travel agencies. She stressed that addressing these risks is a collective responsibility.

Secure payments

“With continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and a strong regulatory framework, we can create a payment ecosystem that is secure, efficient and accessible to all,” Omanga said.

Digital fraud in the travel sector typically involves cybercriminals using stolen or compromised payment information to make unauthorised transactions, booking flights, hotels, and other services, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage for businesses.

Omanga spoke at the second annual Kenya Travel Industry Payment Summit (KTRIPS), hosted by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA). The summit brought together industry leaders to discuss emerging payment technologies, fraud prevention strategies, and regulatory compliance.

KATA chief executive Nicanor Sabula noted the growing role of secure digital payment solutions in transforming the travel industry. “Payment systems are no longer just about transactions; they are now central to customer experience, business growth, and ensuring security in an increasingly digital world,” he said.

Adopt innovations

For instance, Kenya processing over Sh8.1 trillion ($62 billion) in mobile money transactions in 2023, as the industry is increasingly adopting innovations such as mobile wallets, contactless payments, and blockchain technology to facilitate seamless and secure cross-border transactions.

KATA chair Dr Joseph Kithitu emphasized the need for digital transformation to keep the travel industry competitive.

“Business has moved digital, and so has payment. The travel industry cannot afford to be left behind,” he noted.

He also shared key industry statistics, revealing that Kenya accounted for 2.67 per cent of total Middle East and Africa air travel sales in 2024, amounting to $566.8 million—a 2.11 per cent growth from the previous year.