The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has joined the chorus of concern raised by Europe’s airport and airline community regarding the implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), urging governments to fix the chaotic system before it turns off tourists for good.
Adding its considerable weight to an open letter published by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and IATA on June 29, the WTTC stated: “The Travel and Tourism sector fully recognizes the importance of modernizing border systems and strengthening security across Europe, but WTTC has consistently warned that without adequate flexibility, reliable equipment, sufficient staffing and traveller communication, operational bottlenecks risk undermining the visitor experience and Europe’s global competitiveness as a destination.
If not addressed, the WTTC warns, the situation “could place Europe at a clear disadvantage compared to other global destinations offering faster, more seamless entry processes.”
Recent WTTC analysis, based on research among more than 2,500 travellers across key long and short-haul markets to Europe, indicates that consistent border waits of three or more hours could significantly deter demand, with around one-third of travellers saying they would be less likely to visit the Schengen area.
Applied to 2026 forecasts, this could place up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4 billion in potential visitor spending in Europe at risk, states the WTTC.
To that end, the organization, which represents the private sector of Travel & Tourism and is world’s the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide, is calling for three key actions to ensure a smooth rollout:
- Accelerate the uptake of the Travel to Europe app for digital EES pre-registration
- Launch a coordinated communication campaign in key source markets so travellers clearly understand the new border requirements before departure
- And guarantee full operational readiness at borders through adequate staffing, reliable equipment, and streamlined processes, including for those who have already submitted biometric and pre-registration data.
The WTTC says the Travel & Tourism sector supports the long-term benefits of a more efficient and secure border framework, but that its implementation must be managed in a way that safeguards the seamless movement of international travellers and protects the economic value a sector that contributed $3 trillion to the European economy and supported 40.7 million jobs in 2025, equivalent to the combined population of Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium.
“EES represents an important step towards smarter, more secure borders for Europe. But implementation must be practical, coordinated and traveller focused,” said WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC. “If lengthy delays become accepted practice, travellers will look elsewhere. Europe cannot afford to compromise its competitiveness or the experience it offers millions of visitors. We encourage policymakers to work closely with industry to ensure the system delivers on its promise of better borders without creating unintended barriers to travel.”
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