The report emphasises that as travel and tourism is forecast to contribute $16.5tn. to global GDP by 2035 and account for 12.5% of the global workforce, borders must evolve to support growth, competitiveness, and resilience. WTTC and SITA stress that border modernisation is now a strategic priority for governments seeking to enhance traveller flows, strengthen security, and support tourism recovery and expansion.
The publication outlines six core principles and 18 recommended actions for governments. Key proposals include full digitalisation of visas and travel authorisations, expansion of digital identities, and greater use of biometric systems to reduce processing times and improve security. It further encourages pre-clearance of travellers, better inter-ministerial cooperation, and direct digital engagement with travellers to support efficient communication and trust-building.
WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara stated: “Technology now allows us to achieve what was once thought impossible: stronger borders and smoother travel. By embracing digital identities, biometrics, and advanced data systems, countries can make journeys faster and more secure at the same time.” She added that governments taking action today can expect clear benefits through safer travel, increased confidence, higher visitor numbers, and economic growth.
Pedro Alves, Senior Vice President, Border Management at SITA, said that modern borders must be “dynamic, integrated, and seamless”. He emphasised the central role of trusted identity data in enabling faster decision-making and more efficient resource allocation, benefiting both national security and the travel economy. “Now governments have the opportunity to modernize their borders and unlock the economic and social value that seamless travel can deliver,” he noted.
The report references several countries already advancing border transformation. The United States is using biometric facial comparison to process travellers at 238 airports, including all CBP pre-clearance locations. The UAE has used artificial intelligence to significantly shorten visa processing times, while Australia’s SmartGate programme has reduced clearance times by expanding facial recognition-enabled border processing for international arrivals and departures.
The report also notes shifting traveller expectations. It finds that 75% of travellers prefer biometric processes to manual ones, and 85% are willing to share data in advance for a faster journey.
WTTC and SITA are calling on governments to act now and implement “Better Borders” that balance robust security with traveller facilitation, positioning their destinations for economic and reputational gains in the coming decade.
Tags: Pedro Alves, SITA, Gloria Guevara, WTTC
