G20 summit raises cyber attack fears for hospitality sector

Businesses in Manchester’s hospitality and events sector face heightened risk of cyber attacks and fraud as the city prepares to host the G20 summit in November 2027.

The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) has warned that fraudsters are likely to target hotels, transport providers and event venues with invoice fraud and phishing scams.

The centre said businesses should review their cyber security now rather than wait until next year, as criminals will exploit unfamiliar supplier and customer relationships created by the summit.

Chief Inspector Dan Giannasi, who heads up the NWCRC team, said: “Hosting the G20 is a fantastic opportunity for the region’s business sector. However, businesses need to be on high alert around potential cyber attacks and fraud.”

He added: “Fraudsters often target businesses, such as hotels and suppliers, around large events. This often takes the form of invoice fraud, or impersonation in order to gain financial details, as well as phishing attempts through fake emails or text messages, for example.”

The Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/6 found that 43% of UK businesses identified a cyber breach or attack in the previous 12 months, while 38% identified a phishing attack.

The NWCRC has highlighted three main risks: impersonation through fake emails claiming to relate to bookings, fraudulent invoices with changed bank details, and phishing messages containing malware.

CI Giannasi said businesses should work towards Cyber Essentials certification and use free training offered by the centre.

Manchester was announced as the G20 host city last week.

The NWCRC is part of a Home Office funded network across England and Wales offering free crime prevention meetings and guidance for small businesses.