Travel disruption drives surge in demand for booking protection solutions

Protect Group has set a target to safeguard more than US$10 billion in bookings by the end of 2026, reflecting growing demand for protection solutions amid increasing travel disruption.

The company, which provides reservation and ticket protection across airlines, online travel agencies, events, and hospitality, said the goal represented a 25% increase on the previous period, when it protected over $8 billion in bookings.

Heightened geopolitical instability, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has exposed vulnerabilities across the travel sector, leading to widespread flight and hotel disruptions. In some regions, air traffic has fallen by as much as 50%, according to Reuters.

Protect Group attributes its growth to partnerships across the travel ecosystem and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and improve customer experience. Currently, around 75% of refund requests are processed and paid on the same day.

“The travel industry is evolving faster than ever with travellers and operators alike expecting flexibility,” said Jason Walsh, Chief Product and Marketing Officer.

Travel insurer Aon Affinity has found that trip cancellation was the leading reason for the travel insurance claims it received in 2025.