‘Better Borders’ could unlock USD401bn and 14 million jobs by 2035 WTTC and SITA say in new report

December 8, 2025 in Business, Travel & Tourism by Editor

A new WTTC–SITA report argues that modernising borders through digital visas, biometrics and smart pre-clearance systems could unlock US$401 billion and 14 million jobs by 2035. The study urges governments to redesign borders as strategic economic assets capable of delivering smoother, safer and more competitive travel.

A new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and global travel technology firm SITA argues that the future competitiveness of nations will increasingly be determined at their borders. The Better Borders report urges governments to rethink how travellers enter and exit countries, warning that outdated visa systems and manual border processes are constraining global mobility at a time when aviation demand is set to double.

The report positions borders not as lines of defence, but as strategic national assets that shape a country’s first impression, support economic growth, strengthen security and elevate global reputation. With aviation expected to carry 14 billion passengers a year by 2035, and travel and tourism forecast to contribute US$16.5 trillion to global GDP, WTTC and SITA argue that countries can unlock an additional US$401 billion and create 14 million new jobs simply by modernising visa and border systems.

This economic boost, the report says, will hinge on governments embracing digital identity, streamlining visa procedures and replacing manual checks with modern technology. With 75 percent of travellers already preferring biometric identification and 85 percent willing to share data ahead of travel in exchange for faster processing, the readiness for change is clear. What remains is the political and institutional will to transform long-standing migration and border-control frameworks.

The study highlights how several forward-leaning nations are already demonstrating the value of modern border management. Their case studies show that smart visa policies and digital border controls can reduce congestion, improve security screening and create smoother travel experiences, all while strengthening competitiveness in tourism, trade and investment.

But the report also issues a warning: without decisive action, countries risk deepening airport bottlenecks, losing tourism revenue and falling behind economies that have made frictionless travel a strategic priority. WTTC and SITA urge governments to integrate tourism considerations into national border strategies, replace paper-based authorisations with fully digital processes, and collaborate more closely across ministries and international blocs.

They also call for widespread adoption of pre-clearance models, digital identity solutions and direct communication channels with travellers to deliver faster, more personalised border journeys. Investments in digital infrastructure, they argue, will help border agencies manage rising traveller volumes even as security demands increase.

WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara and SITA CEO David Lavorel describe Better Borders as a blueprint rather than a vision statement—one that provides a practical path to balancing security, efficiency and economic opportunity. They emphasise that border modernisation should be viewed as a whole-of-government priority, requiring coordination between tourism, home affairs, foreign affairs, finance, transport and national security agencies.

The report ultimately concludes that borders will define the next era of global mobility. Countries that modernise them will become magnets for travellers, investors and innovators. Those that delay will find themselves constrained by outdated systems unsuited to the scale and speed of tomorrow’s travel demand.

“Borders are the window to a country,” the authors write. “The future of travel, tourism and national competitiveness begins at the border.”