Reinventing Travel: Four key takeaways from the WTTC Global Summit in Perth

Traveling without a seamless experience is like embarking on a road trip with endless detours and checkpoints. No matter how smooth the journey begins, the stops along the way slow you down.

 As the travel industry anticipates traveler numbers set to nearly double to 19.3 billion by 2040, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World, verification processes will be unable to keep pace, slowing the journey even further and creating an urgent need for innovation. Biometric and digital ID technologies offer a clear answer, but a connected, future-ready solution is required to deliver a truly streamlined experience.

The solution? Technology that enhances passenger flow, strengthens security, and speeds up border processing by enabling travelers to move through checkpoints using only their face. This vision of effortless travel was at the heart of our recent Digital Travel Lane demonstration at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth.

Here are four key takeaways from what we showcased in Perth, along with insights from the forward-looking talks we had, and the exciting potential digital travel holds for the industry – and every traveler.

1. The Digital Travel Lane brings us closer to a frictionless journey

The WTTC Global Summit was the perfect stage to showcase our Digital Travel Lane – a biometric solution where passengers use their face as both their ticket and passport for an effortless “just-walk-through” experience.

Our live demonstration illustrated how the Digital Travel Lane simplifies operations, transforming checkpoints into fast, frictionless touchpoints. Identity verification happens in the background, minimizing the need for document checks and allowing passengers to flow through borders without unnecessary stops. For airlines, airports, and governments, this means faster passenger processing, optimized operations, and a smoother experience from start to finish.

Built on the latest in biometric tech, this solution also strengthens security, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing border control accuracy. With the global acceptance of biometrics increasing, the Digital Travel Lane is ready to redefine how borders and airport security are managed, creating a safer and more responsive environment for all.

2. Privacy-first biometric solutions make travel simpler

According to our 2024 Passenger IT Insights survey, 75% of travelers are comfortable with using biometric identification on their smartphones – a clear sign that people see the value in using technology that prioritizes their privacy and convenience. Biometrics simplifies the travel experience by using unique physical traits, like facial features, to securely verify a traveler’s identity – reducing manual checks and ultimately improving passenger processing times and driving operational efficiencies.

Powered by our Digital Travel Ecosystem, the biometric data stays safe on the traveler’s device and only leaves it if they choose to share it, so their personal information remains in their control. The Digital Travel Lane relies on a decentralized trust network, designed to follow strict global data protection standards.

For travelers, this means they can feel assured that their information is safeguarded, and they can move smoothly through checkpoints with just a simple, privacy-first scan. For other travel industry stakeholders, like governments, airports, and airlines, this approach means an efficient, contactless, and more secure process that speeds up operations and reduces overhead costs while meeting travelers’ privacy expectations.

3. SITA’s Digital Travel Ecosystem connects the industry for seamless experiences

At the summit, we had valuable discussions with travel industry stakeholders, including business leaders from airlines, hotels, cruise lines and border agencies about our innovative Digital Travel Ecosystem. This open and interoperable framework allows travelers’ digital identities to be securely shared and verified in real-time across various systems – from check-in to boarding and beyond. By facilitating rapid data verification that aligns with stringent global security protocols, the Digital Travel Ecosystem ensures a streamlined, privacy-centered experience.

Central to this ecosystem is the decentralized trust network, which governs the global sharing of digital credentials with a privacy-by-design approach. This decentralized model gives travelers control over when and with whom they share their personal information. Beyond improving security and convenience, the Digital Travel Ecosystem unlocks new revenue opportunities for airports and airlines by linking biometric-enabled digital identities with commercial services.

With the Digital Travel Ecosystem, open connectivity meets secure identity verification in real-time, empowering travelers and enhancing efficiency across borders.

4. Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) speed up border crossings

Our work with Indicio on the world’s first international border crossing using a Digital Travel Credential (DTC) in Aruba highlights the power of innovation to streamline travel. The DTC serves as a digital version of a passport, enabling travelers to send high-quality biometric and biographic data in advance so the Government of Aruba can issue Trusted Traveler credentials confidently. This means travelers can pass through borders in seconds, eliminating the need for manual checks and transforming the border experience into one of efficiency and convenience.

But it doesn’t stop there. DTCs also help hoteliers receive digital copies of the passport, eliminating the hassle of physical photocopies at check-in. Imagine getting from the plane to the beach in just 45 minutes – now that’s what we call a smooth experience!

Aligned with ICAO technical standards, DTCs enhance accuracy and efficiency by reducing manual inspection times and supporting automated decision-making. This lets governments make informed security decisions quickly while giving travelers a faster, smoother experience.

Shaping the future of tomorrow’s travel experience today

The WTTC Global Summit showed our commitment to reimagining the travel experience. With each innovation, we’re advancing toward a future where borders are welcoming, travel is effortless, and safety is built into every step.

Explore our Digital Travel page to learn how our solutions are creating a smarter, safer, and more connected travel experience for everyone