European borders face a serious test: new control system could cost tourism billions
The introduction of digital and biometric checks at Schengen entry points will bring greater security in the long run. However, the unpreparedness of the infrastructure and potential multi-hour waits threaten a serious outflow of transatlantic and British guests.
Real danger of congestion at Schengen entry points
The tourism sector in Europe is awaiting the official launch of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) with justified caution. While the digitisation of border crossings is a step forward in terms of security, the operationalisation of the entire process could cause tectonic shifts in revenue. Latest analysis The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows a black scenario. In that case, border congestion, if it lasts three to four hours, could threaten as much as $45.4 billion in tourist spending within the Schengen area.
The problem lies not in the technology itself, but in the logistics. If passengers notice and become accustomed to long waits at European hubs, interest in European destinations will drastically fall. Estimates suggest that poor implementation could directly affect the fate of as many as 41 million tourist arrivals. This is an alarm that should raise the readiness of all stakeholders in European tourism. the travel industry.
Guests from key emitting markets are most sensitive to waiting
Research involving more than 2,500 travellers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia reveals clear limits to their patience. Approximately one-third of respondents are prepared to completely change their plans or abandon travel to Europe. This will happen if multi-hour queues become a daily occurrence.
It is interesting how different markets react to potential chaos. The British have the lowest tolerance threshold – as many as 39% of them say they would probably cancel their trip to the Schengen area if they had to wait at the border for more than three hours. A third of Americans and Canadians feel similarly. On the other hand, Australians, perhaps due to their experience of long-haul overseas travel, are somewhat more flexible. 27% of them would opt to bypass Europe.
For destinations that depend heavily on these high-spending markets, such as the Adriatic coast or major European metropolises, these percentages are not just statistics. They represent a potential loss of key guests in the coming seasons.
The paradox of supporting a system that no one knows anything about
Tourism management here is facing an unusual paradox. Guests actually want more modern borders. More than 60% of respondents in principle support the introduction of biometric controls because they see it as a guarantee of greater security and faster passage on future journeys. Only a negligible proportion of travellers have a strongly negative attitude towards providing biometric data.
However, a huge problem lies in the information vacuum. More than half of the surveyed passengers have barely even heard of the EES system, and almost half have no idea what exactly will be required of them at the border crossing. This lack of information is an ideal recipe for creating bottlenecks at the terminals themselves. Problems arise when unprepared passengers encounter new procedures for the first time.
Three steps to save the season and ensure a smooth transition
The profession is clear – solutions exist, but they require swift and coordinated action from governments and the private sector. To avoid the bleakest financial scenario, it is crucial to accelerate the introduction and adoption of mobile applications for digital pre-registration. This would allow a significant portion of administrative work to be completed before a traveller even steps foot in the airport.
In addition, Airlines, airports Tour operators must also urgently launch aggressive information campaigns in key markets to ensure travellers arrive with clear instructions. Finally, at the border crossings themselves, it is essential to ensure the equipment is in perfect working order and that there are adequate staff numbers. Ultimately, guests have shown a high level of understanding – the vast majority are prepared to tolerate initial technical difficulties. This will be acceptable if they are clearly communicated that it is a transitional period leading to faster and more pleasant travel in the future.
