WTTC Calls for Coordinated Action to Safeguard EES Implementation Without Disrupting Travel

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) notes the concerns raised by Europe’s airport and airline community regarding the implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), as outlined in an open letter published by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and IATA on 29 th June 2026.

Context
- EES Rollout Concerns: Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and IATA raised concerns about operational readiness in an open letter (29 June 2026).
- WTTC Response: While supporting modernized, secure borders, WTTC warns that poor implementation could cause long delays, damaging Europe’s competitiveness as a destination.

Key Findings
- Traveller Sentiment: WTTC research (May 2026, 2,512 travellers from US, UK, Canada, Australia) shows that waits of 3+ hours would deter about one-third of visitors.
- Economic Risk: Up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending could be at risk if bottlenecks persist.

WTTC Recommendations
1. Accelerate Travel to Europe App: Enable digital pre-registration for EES.
2. Communication Campaign: Inform travellers in key source markets about new border requirements before departure.
3. Operational Readiness: Ensure adequate staffing, reliable equipment, and streamlined processes, especially for those pre-registered.

Broader Impact
- Travel & Tourism contributed $3 trillion to Europe’s economy and supported 40.7 million jobs in 2025.
- WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara emphasized that while EES is a step toward smarter borders, delays must not become the norm: “Europe cannot afford to compromise its competitiveness or the experience it offers millions of visitors.”

This statement underscores the tension between security upgrades and traveller experience. If Europe mishandles the rollout, destinations with faster, more seamless entry processes could gain a competitive edge.