SITA, the global travel sector IT and tech solutions provider has announced the launch of SITA e-Visa and SITA Electronic Travel Authorisation to meet the rapidly growing demand from governments.
This, it said is purposed for digital visa systems to stimulate national economies after COVID-19, strengthen security and improve the travel experience.
Governments globally are shifting to modern travel authorisation solutions, like electronic visas and Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs).
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), traditional visas; applications made via a consulate or embassy – decreased from 77 per cent in 2008 to 53 per cent in 2018 implying a growing demand for digital travel solutions.
The advantages of digital authorisation solutions include improved security, reduced administrative burden, easier travel, and increased visitor flows, promoting spending that benefits local economies and creates employment.
For example, one government’s introduction of an e-Visa scheme covering 40 plus countries in 2014 to 2015 led to a 21 per cent increase in international visitor arrivals and the creation of 800,000 jobs accounted for around 20 per cent of the growth seen in the country’s travel and tourism over the period.
SITA’s new solutions
The mobile capability of SITA’s new e-Visa and ETA capability allows travellers to make applications and provide their biometric information using their personal devices before they travel.
For travellers, this is simpler, more convenient, and less time-consuming than applying for more complex traditional or on-arrival visas.
For governments, they can biometrically verify the applicant’s identity. The mobile app also creates the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-compliant Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) – a development in digital identity for travel that may replace physical passports in the future.
SITA’s e-visa and ETA solutions provide visas containing ICAO’s Visible Digital Seal (VDS), an encrypted bar code that enables visas and ETAs, paper or electronic, to be digitally verified for authenticity, offering enhanced security and fraud prevention.
Head of SITA AT BORDERS, Jeremy Springall, said: “Adopting e-Visa and ETA supports national prosperity. We’ve productised our proven and robust travel authorisation systems to benefit more nations around the world as they shift to digitalise and future-proof their borders.
“The solutions help countries to cope with growing passenger volumes, improve security and efficiency, and deliver a more seamless travel experience that travellers demand, removing the complexities of applying for traditional visas.”
Springall added: “The adaptability of these two solutions means that they are fully interoperable with existing border control and airline systems. And, they comply with international standards and best practices.”
SITA’s border management solutions
SITA has deployed border management solutions for over 25 years to support cross-border mobility while safeguarding borders, helping over 70 countries today. In 1996, SITA pioneered the first ETA system for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The aim was to give authorities advance visibility into the huge influx of tourists crossing the border, helping to reduce immigration bottlenecks.
The digital solutions support safer, easier, and more secure travel with potential economic benefits