Smarter Borders Could Unlock $401 Billion In Global Economic Growth, Create Millions Of Jobs, And Revolutionize Tourism, Reveals WTTC-SITA Survey – Travel And Tour World

Report on Digital Border Modernization and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and SITA, titled “Better Borders,” outlines the significant potential of modernizing border management systems through digital transformation. The implementation of smarter borders is projected to add $401 billion to the global GDP and create 14 million jobs by 2035. This initiative directly supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by leveraging technology to foster sustainable tourism and economic resilience.

Economic and Social Impact: Advancing SDG 8

Projected Economic Growth and Job Creation

The modernization of border processes presents a substantial opportunity for global economic advancement, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 8. The report highlights the following projections for G20, EU, and AU nations:

• An increase of $401 billion to global GDP by 2035.
• The creation of 14 million new jobs by 2035.
• The Travel & Tourism sector is expected to generate $16.5 trillion in global GDP and employ 12.5% of the global workforce by 2035.

These outcomes foster sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

Technological Innovation as a Driver for SDG 9

Core Recommendations for Resilient Infrastructure

The report advocates for the adoption of innovative technologies to build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation, a cornerstone of SDG 9. The key recommendations for governments include:

1. Full digitalization of visa and travel authorization systems to streamline arrivals.
2. Adoption of digital identities to create a seamless and secure travel experience.
3. Widespread use of biometric data to increase efficiency and reduce manual checks at border crossings.

International Case Studies in Technological Implementation

Several countries have already demonstrated the successful application of these principles, showcasing the potential of technology to enhance both security and economic competitiveness:

• United States: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) utilizes biometric facial recognition technology at 238 airports, significantly reducing wait times and streamlining passenger processing.
• United Arab Emirates: AI-driven border management systems have reduced visa processing times to hours and improved application accuracy, enhancing efficiency for international travelers.
• Australia: SmartGate technology at airports uses facial recognition for arrivals and departures, with a projected adoption rate of 79% of all arrivals by June 2025, improving passenger flow.

Strengthening Institutions and Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

Fostering Strong and Secure Institutions (SDG 16)

The report emphasizes that digital border solutions enhance national security while improving traveler experience. This dual benefit contributes to the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, a key target of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By pre-clearing travelers and streamlining data sharing, governments can build more robust and efficient security frameworks.

The Imperative for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration (SDG 17)

Achieving these goals requires strong partnerships, as highlighted in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The report calls for greater cooperation between government ministries, including tourism, security, and finance. The collaboration between WTTC and SITA itself serves as a model for the public-private partnerships needed to drive global progress.

Traveler Perspectives and Future Outlook

Public Acceptance of Digital Systems

There is strong public support for the transition to smarter borders, indicating a readiness for technological adoption. Key findings on traveler sentiment include:

• 75% of travelers expressed a preference for biometric systems over manual procedures.
• 85% of travelers are willing to share their data in advance in exchange for a faster and smoother border experience.

A Call to Action for Sustainable Tourism

The report concludes with a call for governments to invest in digital infrastructure and modernized policies. Creating “Better Borders” is a strategic imperative that balances security with ease of travel. This investment serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth across tourism, trade, and security sectors, unlocking substantial economic and social benefits while advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on smarter border management and its economic impact connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on economic growth, job creation, technological innovation, and international cooperation directly aligns with the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article’s central theme is how modernizing border processes can unlock significant economic potential. It explicitly mentions the creation of jobs and the contribution to global GDP, which are core components of SDG 8.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The proposed solutions are entirely based on technological advancement and innovation. The article highlights the need for investment in digital infrastructure, the adoption of biometric technologies, AI-driven systems, and digital identities, all of which fall under the purview of SDG 9.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The article discusses the modernization of government processes (border management) to make them more efficient, secure, and streamlined. This relates to developing effective and accountable institutions, a key aspect of SDG 16. The report calls for changes that enhance national security while improving the travel experience.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article itself is based on a report created through a partnership between the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and SITA. Furthermore, it explicitly calls for “greater cooperation between governments’ tourism, security, and finance ministries” and collaboration among nations (G20, EU, AU) to achieve these goals, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion of economic benefits, technological solutions, and collaborative efforts, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.9 (under SDG 8): “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article directly addresses this by advocating for policies (smarter visa policies, digital border management) that will boost the tourism sector, which is projected to “create 14 million new jobs by 2035.”
2. Target 9.1 (under SDG 9): “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.” The call to invest in “digital infrastructure” and adopt technologies like biometric facial recognition and AI-driven systems at borders is a direct effort to develop the technological infrastructure needed to support economic growth through tourism.
3. Target 16.6 (under SDG 16): “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article’s recommendations for “full digitalization of visas,” “use of digital identities,” and pre-clearance of travelers are all aimed at making border control institutions more effective and efficient. Success stories from the U.S., UAE, and Australia demonstrate how technology can create more streamlined and accountable processes.
4. Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The “Better Borders” report is a product of a public-private style partnership between WTTC and SITA. The report’s call for governments to work together with industry and across different ministries (tourism, security, finance) exemplifies the multi-stakeholder collaboration that this target promotes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several explicit and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Economic Growth and Jobs):
  • Economic Contribution: The projected addition of “$401 billion to global GDP” by 2035 is a direct quantitative indicator of economic growth.
  • Job Creation: The forecast of “14 million new jobs” is a specific indicator for measuring progress in employment within the tourism sector.
• Indicators for SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure):
  • Technology Adoption Rate: The article provides a clear metric for Australia’s SmartGate, which is “expected to be used by 79% of all arrivals” by June 2025. The number of airports using a specific technology, such as the “238 airports” in the U.S. using biometric facial recognition, is another measurable indicator.
  • Traveler Preference for Technology: The survey finding that “75% of travelers indicated a preference for biometrics” serves as an indicator of public acceptance and demand for new technological infrastructure.
• Indicators for SDG 16 (Effective Institutions):
  • Processing Time Reduction: The article implies this indicator by mentioning how technology can “speed up the arrival process” and “reduce wait times.” The UAE’s success in shortening visa processing times to “mere hours” is a concrete example of this metric.
  • Efficiency in Passenger Flow: The reduction of “long queues” and the creation of a “seamless travel experience” are qualitative but measurable indicators of institutional efficiency at border crossings.
• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships):
  • Number and Scope of Partnerships: The existence of the WTTC-SITA partnership that produced the report is an indicator. Progress could be measured by tracking the number of governments and ministries that adopt the report’s recommendations and form collaborative bodies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com