By Andy Smith
We all want travel to be secure, safe, and easy. But as traveler numbers surge to record highs and governments aim to unlock tourism’s full economic power, border agencies face a critical challenge: how do you handle rising demand without compromising security?
This week, European and global leaders in border security, technology, and policy meet in Tallinn, Estonia, to tackle exactly that.
Europe’s in-tray is full. From large-scale migration to evolving security threats, the continent’s unique geographic and cultural diversity demands solutions that balance security with the need to keep legitimate trade and travel flowing.
Demand is booming, are borders keeping up?
Travel and tourism are the lifeblood of European prosperity. And they’re only growing. Last year, passenger numbers across Europe soared nearly 10%, with capacity up by more than 9%, according to IATA.
In response, European airports are investing billions to expand and modernize. Governments, too, are stepping in to back infrastructure improvements. But shiny new terminals alone won’t deliver the benefits, not unless border systems evolve alongside them.
From static to smart: why border modernization matters
Border security can’t lag behind. It needs to embrace the same tech-driven advancements shaping traveler expectations and responding to today’s fast-moving threats.
Right now, many passengers face long queues and repeated document checks, with IATA reporting over 70% encounter delays. That’s frustrating for travelers and a strain on agency resources, especially when most people pose no risk.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Digitalized, interoperable, and dynamic borders can transform the experience, letting governments adapt policies and procedures in real time, strengthen security, and boost their country’s appeal as a destination for trade, tourism, and investment.
Integration is the key
Effective border management is never just one agency’s job. It brings together immigration, customs, public health, intelligence, and law enforcement. Siloed systems create gaps and inefficiencies; integrated systems, on the other hand, offer a unified, real-time view of travelers and goods, allowing faster, smarter decisions and keeping resources focused where they matter most.
Creating a better border experience
By using secure digital identities and pre-clearing travelers before they even arrive, border agencies can reduce congestion and speed up processing. And because the border experience shapes a visitor’s first and last impression, improving it also strengthens a country’s global image.
Start small, scale big
The path forward doesn’t require sweeping overnight change. In fact, the most successful transformations often start small, with modular, collaborative approaches.
Digital travel credentials (DTCs) are a prime example. Worldwide, demand for faster, contactless processes is skyrocketing, with over 60% of passengers saying they’d pay for a DTC. In Aruba, a DTC pilot cut border processing time to just eight seconds, while improving data accuracy and compliance.
Immediate wins, long-term gains
Governments can make meaningful progress by tackling immediate pain points now while laying the groundwork for broader transformation. It’s about asking: what can we improve today with minimal disruption, and how does that fit into the bigger vision of a fully digital, integrated, and secure border?
Thoughtful, incremental action builds momentum for larger change.
Building the borders of the future
Borders will always be about managing risk. But by rethinking how people, goods, and information move across them, European governments can create systems that are not just more secure, but also more efficient, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of a fast-changing world. Crucially, these systems can balance the demands of security with the economic benefits of growing travel and tourism.
Andy Smith is Director for Industry & Innovation at SITA, the global air transport industry-owned IT-tech organization that works with over 75 governments— including every G20 nation — to modernize airport and border operations.
The International Border Management and Technologies Association (IBMATA), a not-for-profit international NGO committed to the safe and secure movement of people and goods across international borders, holds its Border Management & Technologies Summit Europe 2025 in Tallinn from 4-6 June.
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