Implementation of biometric technology to
facilitate secure borders is the single biggest opportunity for
the travel and tourism sector in 2018, according to Gloria Guevara
Manzo, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council
(WTTC).
Ms Guevara also highlighted the importance of
developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning,
virtual and augmented reality and changing demographics,
particularly the ‘coming of age’ of millennials and growth of
Generation Z, for Travel & Tourism.
Speaking at the recent Exceltur Tourism Leadership
Forum in Madrid, Spain, Ms Guevara said, “Biometric technology has
been evolving over many years and we have seen gradual
implementation across the sector for some time. However, in order
for the step change which needs to happen to improve security and
create jobs through increased tourism flows, there is an urgent
need to speed up implementation.”
“The resolution of the UN Security Council at
the end of 2017 which mandates all governments to employ biometric
security for counter terrorism activity provides an excellent
opportunity for all stakeholders to come together. In line with
the work ICAO has been doing over many years, the travel and tourism
sector needs to work with governments and security agencies to
agree a standard approach which can be deployed across the travel
and tourism system.”
“This will take a huge effort of collaboration
with considerable challenges to be overcome, particularly around
the security and sharing of data, and privacy issues. However, I
believe that now is the time to come together so that, while
ensuring our world is secure, people around the world can continue
to enjoy the personal, social and economic benefits of
travelling.”
Biometrics and travel security will addressed
during the upcoming WTTC Global Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina
from
18 to 19 April 2018.
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