WTTC And SITA Unveil Path With Advanced Biometric Systems Advocated For Border Security And Seamless Digital Travel Acceleration 

Published on November 5, 2025

A seminal analysis, developed collaboratively by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the aviation technology firm SITA, has been brought to the forefront, revealing the immense potential held within modernised border management systems. This comprehensive study, titled the Better Borders report, posits that the global economy could be dramatically enhanced through the comprehensive adoption of intelligent border technologies.

It is estimated that a substantial increase of $401 billion in global GDP could be realised, accompanied by the generation of a remarkable 14 million new job opportunities across the G20, EU, and African Union nations within the span of a single decade. The central finding is unequivocally clear: by embracing digital technologies and implementing smarter visa policies, the economic competitiveness of nations can be fundamentally strengthened, thereby supercharging prosperity on a global scale. This technological pivot is not merely an operational improvement; it is an economic imperative for the modern era.

The Scale of the Global Tourism Sector and the Strategic Imperative

The necessity of this border modernization is understood best when viewed through the lens of the travel and tourism sector’s projected expansion. The industry is currently forecasted to attain a global GDP contribution of $16.5 trillion by the year 2035, a projection that clearly positions travel as one of the world’s most powerful economic engines. Furthermore, by the same year, the sector is expected to account for a significant 12.5% of the world’s entire workforce, highlighting its critical role in global employment. Against this backdrop of explosive growth, the Better Borders report makes a compelling case: border modernization is a strategic imperative that can no longer be deferred.

Unlocking Prosperity: The Projected Economic and Employment Benefits

The quantified benefits of adopting smarter border management are staggering. The estimated addition of $401 billion to global GDP is understood to be a direct result of increased traveller flows, reduced friction in the travel process, and the subsequent stimulation of wider economic activity. When the journey across international borders is made faster, more predictable, and less stressful, greater traveller confidence is instilled, which in turn leads to increased visitor numbers and higher tourism spending. This increased demand necessitates expanded services, leading directly to the creation of the estimated 14 million new jobs across the focus regions of the G20, the EU, and the African Union. These jobs are expected to be generated not only within the travel and tourism industry itself, but also across its extensive supply chain, including retail, transportation, hospitality, and related technological support services.

Technological Foundations: Key Principles and Recommended Actions

The framework for achieving this digital transformation is meticulously detailed within the report, which outlines six key principles and 18 recommended actions designed specifically to make international travel a more seamless experience. Topping the list of recommendations is the critical call for the full digitalisation of visas and travel authorisations. This move would replace cumbersome, paper-based, and time-consuming administrative tasks with instantaneous, verifiable digital processes.

Hand-in-hand with this digitalisation, the report urges the widespread adoption of digital identities and biometric technologies. These advanced systems are instrumental in speeding up and simultaneously strengthening border processes. The reliance on biometrics, such as facial comparison technology, ensures that identities are verified swiftly and accurately, fundamentally enhancing security while drastically reducing processing times.

A Call for Enhanced Global Cooperation and Integration

Beyond technology implementation, the success of the Better Borders initiative is heavily dependent upon enhanced administrative and international collaboration. A fundamental recommendation is the enhancement of cooperation across key governmental departments, specifically the tourism, security, and finance ministries. Integrated governance is necessary to ensure that border policy decisions are made with a comprehensive understanding of their security implications, economic impact, and operational feasibility.

Furthermore, two key operational strategies are advocated for. The first involves the capability to pre-clear travellers before arrival, a mechanism that greatly reduces congestion at final destination border points. This strategy involves conducting necessary checks and verifications remotely, allowing travellers to be fast-tracked upon landing. The second key strategy is the necessity to build direct digital relationships with travellers.

Pioneers of Progress: Global Case Studies in Digital Implementation

The tangible benefits of digital transformation are not merely theoretical; they are already being realised in nations that have taken proactive steps toward modernisation. The report specifically cites the US, the UAE, and Australia as leading examples of countries that are already reaping the rewards of their strategic technological investments.

The case of the US serves as a particularly strong example. There, the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) organisation has effectively deployed biometric facial comparison technology to process travellers entering the United States. This advanced system is operational at 238 airports across the country, a figure which includes all 14 CBP pre-clearance locations situated in international territories. The successful implementation of this technology demonstrates that a high volume of travellers can be processed securely and efficiently through automated, biometric methods. The integration of such systems showcases how enhanced security protocols are achieved concurrently with significant improvements in operational speed and traveller convenience.

Concluding the Path Forward

The data and recommendations presented by the WTTC and SITA in the Better Borders report establish an unambiguous path for the future of global travel. The projected addition of $401 billion in GDP and the creation of 14 million new jobs are powerful indicators of the economic rewards awaiting nations that embrace the digital age. By prioritising the full digitalisation of visas and travel authorisations, the implementation of digital identities and biometric technologies, and fostering collaborative governance across key ministries, a new era of secure, fast, and seamless international travel can be established. Border modernization is definitively asserted as a non-negotiable strategic imperative for any nation striving for sustained economic growth and a competitive position in the rapidly expanding global tourism sector.