New EU Entry System May Cut Tourist Numbers, Cause Border Delays

The upcoming European Entry-Exit System (EES) risks deterring millions of tourists and costing billions in travel spending, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The new system, designed to enhance border security, could lead to prolonged delays at Schengen borders.

Analysis based on a survey of travelers from the UK, US, Canada, and Australia indicates that if border waits consistently reach three to four hours, approximately one-third of these travelers would be significantly less likely to visit Schengen or might forgo visiting altogether. This could threaten up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending by 2026, the WTTC warned.

While travelers generally support modernized border controls and understand the long-term benefits of digital and biometric systems, their willingness to visit Europe plummets when faced with the prospect of lengthy and unpredictable queues. The WTTC emphasizes the need for governments, border authorities, and the travel sector to collaborate closely to ensure the EES implementation is as seamless as possible, mitigating potential negative impacts on tourism.

“

The challenge now is not whether EES should continue, but how governments, border authorities and the travel and tourism sector work together to ensure implementation is as seamless as possible.