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Digitalisation of Travel
As the digital landscape evolves, so does the travel industry. Between 2023 and 2028, the growth of the global travel technology market is expected to reach a 7.5% rate, marking a pathway in 2024 for digitalised travel experiences that can help travellers move faster, easier and safer.
As the digital landscape evolves, so does the travel industry. Between 2023 and 2028, the growth of the global travel technology market is expected to reach a 7.5% rate, marking a pathway in 2024 for digitalised travel experiences that can help travellers move faster, easier and safer.
With the invention of digital vaccination passports, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of digital travel documents. Electronic visas and electronic travel authorisations, such as the UK ETA and EU ETIAS, continue to grow in popularity over lengthy and costly traditional paper documents. This trend is particularly pronounced in Europe, where around 68% of Europeans see the benefits of digitalisation for improved security and quality of border controls.
Despite automated systems having long lead times to implement, the ongoing digitalisation of Schengen visas and the joint launch of the Schengen Entry/Exit System and ETIAS represent major steps towards secure and easy travel. Schengen visas will be obtained through simplified online procedures and will be cryptographically signed, making them more difficult to forge. The ETIAS, set to be launched in mid-2025, will strengthen the action of member states in preventing illegal immigration and overstayers, increasing the overall security of the internal and external borders of Schengen.
These efforts will result in increased mobility rates in 2024, and produce greater satisfaction among tourists and workers alike. Europe is leading the way also when it comes to use of digital IDs in public administration. Did you know that Finland is the first country in the world to test a digital passport? The outcome will reveal the future of digital passports for travelling around the world, while other countries like Aruba have already introduced a Digital Travel Credential to enter the country just by uploading your passport on an app.
Did you know that Finland is the first country in the world to test a digital passport?
Travellers’ peace of mind is at the top of airlines’ priorities too, with new investments in digital solutions for check-ins, baggage dropoff and boarding with reduced contact, aimed at making travel easy, sustainable and more enjoyable. Imagine travelling internationally without a suitcase or a passport! 2024 is gonna be the year this will turn into reality thanks to collaborations such as the one between IATA and British Airways, which are crafting a full travel journey for passengers of flights between Rome and London based on the use of biometrics data.
Automation is increasing at airports. E-gates enable quick passport checks, self-check-in kiosks for tickets and baggage and fast-track corridors allow even the most delayed passengers to catch their flights.
On the other hand, increased reliance on IT infrastructure will expose system operators and passengers to a broader range of scams and disruptive network failures. Cybersecurity affects the openness and security of borders as much as terrorism and other threats. The use of AI also plays a greater role in immigration processes and visa issuance, posing even more questions for the future.
As travellers’ privacy and sensitive data are threatened, TMCs will need awareness and advisory on many new fronts.
With the world evolving digitally, Riskline’s intelligence and products will continue pushing towards a fully digitalised travel experience that is both safe and convenient!
By Claudia Gualdi
