Nearly 400 complaints about travel scams and a manager arrested

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · August 29, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~1 min

The industry is looking at itself in the mirror of distrust again. Within just a few days, two investigations in Spain have exposed alleged travel agency scams: nearly 400 complaints piled up and one manager arrested in L’Escala (Girona) by the Mossos d’Esquadra, as Hosteltur reports.

My take is clear: the damage is not just economic, it's reputational. Every case like this feeds the narrative that booking with an agent is risky, and honest professionals pay for it. That's why it bothers me that the sector reacts when the news breaks, not before.

Trust is the product. Without it, the customer goes back to the OTA or, worse, hunts for deals on social media. But there's opportunity too: whoever shows transparency, clear contracts and real attention will stand out more than ever. The complaints and the arrest are a wake-up call for every agency to review its processes and shield its brand. Doing it right has never been more profitable.

Quick questions

How many complaints about travel agency scams are there?

According to Hosteltur, there are nearly 400 complaints in two open investigations in Spain. The exact number isn't final yet, but the volume is already significant.

Where was the travel agency manager arrested?

In L'Escala (Girona), Spain. The Mossos d'Esquadra arrested a manager as part of an investigation into alleged fraud against customers.

What kind of scams are being investigated?

The investigations point to collecting payments for trips that were never provided or were canceled without refunds. We still need to wait for the judicial process.

Can I be scammed if I book with a travel agency?

It can happen in any sector, but it's not the norm. Verify the agency is registered, read recent reviews, and pay by card or means that allow you to claim.

How do these scams affect legitimate agencies?

They create distrust and make customers think twice. Serious agencies need to strengthen transparent communication and guarantees to stand out from fraud.

Was this article useful?

The daily brief

Notitur in your inbox

One sharp travel-industry brief a day. Free.

I accept the terms

Editorial content by Notitur. It may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source.

This article may mention third-party products, companies or services for informational purposes. Notitur does not endorse them and is not responsible for them or for what they offer. Editorial content curated by the Notitur team.

Produced with AI assistance and editorial review.

← Back to Notitur

Notitur is an independent digest. It is not the official site of any brand mentioned. Content is editorial and produced with AI assistance and editorial review, and may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source. This is not financial, legal or investment advice. Some links or blocks may be sponsored or affiliate. Trademarks belong to their owners. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click, and you can request access or deletion of your data at notitur.com/contact.

⚙ Admin