WTTC urges governments around the world to streamline visa processes

05-07-23

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling on governments to streamline visa processes in order to boost the growth of the global Travel & Tourism Sector. The sector currently accounts for 9.2% of global GDP and supports one in 11 jobs worldwide. It is also experiencing a strong post-pandemic recovery.

However, Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, assures that as long as visa processing processes are not streamlined, which currently in some countries have excessive waiting times ranging from 200 days to a year, the reactivation of travel will continue to be held back for a full global recovery.

More efficient technologies

In this way, the world body is urging to improve processing times and introduce more efficient technologies for seamless and safe travel. "The investment in digital visas and biometrics, exemplified by the smart gates at Dubai airport, is a successful example of technology streamlining travel processes," says Julia Simpson.

WTTC also asserts that initiatives to further facilitate the decarbonisation of the Sector, such as the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a potential to reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional aviation fuel, need to be further promoted.