Dmitry Arutyunov, the chief executive of Art Tour, warned that when buying travel experiences online, buyers must tread carefully because the safety of tourist data is still not guaranteed today. The so‑called electronic coupon system raises concerns about personal data leakage, a point he stressed during a briefing at the NSN press centre.
He noted that when arranging a trip, a traveler may share passport details, home address, payment sums, and information about travel companions. In this light, safeguarding that information becomes a crucial issue, and he emphasized that no assurances can be given to tourists about the absolute security of their data.
“This is a real risk,” Arutyunov asserted. “It is a serious issue, and the tour operator bears responsibility for every aspect of the process, with accountability growing in tandem with increased reliance on digital tools.”
At the same time, proponents of electronic travel packages, such as Lyubov Voronina, the chief executive of the tour operator Lets Fly, point out the advantages. She highlighted that these tools provide travelers with transparent information about flight routes, prices, and other essential data, which can lead to more informed decisions.
It is worth recalling that the Russian Association of Tour Operators oversees industry standards. Since November, Russian travel companies have been recording data in the Electronic Tour information system. Experts also noted ongoing concerns about data redundancy and potential leakage of personal information within the system.
Looking ahead, several former tour operators identified which destinations may rise in popularity among Russian travelers in 2023, reflecting changing consumer interests and evolving market trends. [Source attribution: NSN press centre]