Survey reveals rising demand for biometric travel tech

Entrust has released findings from its Seamless Travel Experience Survey, illuminating the growing demand for technology-driven travel solutions.

The survey, which gauged responses from 1,750 frequent flyers within G20 nations, uncovers travellers' increasing appetite for reduced friction in international travel processes, especially through advanced security technologies.

A majority of the respondents, including Australians, indicated common challenges in areas such as customs, immigration, and visa procedures. In Australia, 64% of travellers expressed a preference for biometric solutions, such as biometric corridors and remote identity verification, over traditional methods. The trend is most pronounced in India, with 88% of respondents favouring these technological advancements.

Key findings from the survey reflect a strong global support for biometric technology. Specifically, 94% of Australian respondents would opt for biometric solutions if such options could reduce airport wait times by 20-30%. Across the globe, similar high levels of support are evident, with India exhibiting the strongest demand.

Immigration and customs processes emerged as the most challenging aspects of international travel. In Australia, 87% of travellers identified customs clearance as their primary pain point, followed by immigration procedures at 81%. Despite advances in airline mobile applications and online check-ins, border processes, particularly visa and ETA applications, along with security screenings, were areas highlighted for necessary transformation.

While biometric technology garners considerable interest, concerns about data privacy and the potential for technological failures were notable. In Australia, 40% of respondents cited technology reliability as a chief concern, while 24% were primarily worried about data privacy issues associated with biometric technologies.

In terms of desired future solutions, travellers identified electronic visa applications, remote identity verification, and e-passports as key advancements for faster, more secure border crossings. The majority of Australian respondents viewed electronic visa applications as the most beneficial improvement for their travel experiences.

Gordon Wilson, Vice President of Identity Verification at Entrust, commented on the survey's implications, "These findings emphasize the global shift toward seamless, biometric-powered travel solutions. Travelers are calling for an experience where security meets convenience, but with weather, engineering, and worker issues already causing regular disruption, technology needs to be set up to ensure that it alleviates the barriers to travel without creating new ones. To help meet this demand, Entrust aims to redefine borderless travel through trusted digital identity."

The survey was performed in April 2024 by the market research firm Cint, involving participants from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Spain, Australia, and India.