Since I originally wrote this post I have come to a conclusion:
It's not just our industry that is seeing a rise of this problem.

I have noticed that many appointment based services are requiring security or upfront payment to book. Salons, day spas, masseuses, even doctors. I asked a lady at a spa lately if the incidents of no shows/cancellation had risen and she confirmed that it had. They get a credit card from everyone regardless of whether they are a repeat customer, have a gift card or whatever. Everyone every time. It is sad we have come to that.