WTTC Endorses ICAO’s Next Generation Public Key List to Promote Safe and Seamless Travel | News
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomes the introduction of the next generation Public Key Directory (PKD) by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which marks a significant milestone in the evolution of safe and seamless global travel.
WTTC has long championed initiatives that enable safe and seamless travel. The Better Borders report underlines the importance of modernizing border systems to meet growing global demand. According to the report, Travel & Tourism is expected to reach a global GDP of $16.5 trillion by 2035, accounting for 12.5% of the world’s workforce. Furthermore, smarter border management could unlock $401 billion in additional GDP and create 14 million new jobs in G20, EU and African Union countries.
As international travel continues to increase, the need to improve both border security and operational efficiency has never been more critical. ICAO’s enhanced PKD system will enable governments, airlines and airports to verify digital travel data in real time, ensuring the authenticity of documents and improving the overall passenger journey.
The new system supports faster border processing, remote document authentication and the integration of verified biometric technologies. Together, these developments pave the way for more streamlined, secure and traveler-centric experiences worldwide.
Commenting on the announcement, Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC, said:
“ICAO’s next-generation Public Key Directory is a transformative step towards the future of global travel. By enabling secure, real-time verification of digital travel data, this initiative strengthens both security and facilitation at borders. At WTTC, we fully endorse this advancement, which aligns with our vision for a seamless, traveler-centric journey and supports the continued growth and resilience of the travel and tourism sector.”
Initiatives such as ICAO’s PKD demonstrate how digital innovation can simultaneously increase safety and improve traveler experiences, supporting a more resilient and future-proof global travel and tourism ecosystem.
For more insights, consult WTTC’s Better Borders report and ICAO’s latest developments in digital border systems.
