Pushing Borders OutA Key Ingredient to New Capacity in Tourism Development

Solomon WongExecutive Vice PresidentInterVISTAS Consulting

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Part IOverview of Issues and 

Opportunities

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The Opportunity

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Source: Boeing Current Market Outlook, 2012, Page 5

4.8%

5.1%

3.8%

5.4%

Forecasted Average Annual Rates of Growth (to 2031)

LatinAmerica

NorthAmerica

AsiaPacific

Europe

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Role of Connecting Flights

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Multiple Visa Requirements

Dual or triple requirements for connections

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Visas Not Aligned to Growth MarketsFew Markets for Hassle-Free Travel for Chinese

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Visa processes can be too complex

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Tourists will choose other options

Stay at home

Travel to other countries

Stay in‐countrySave moneyto buy car

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Part IINew technologies applied to travel facilitation (airport controls and 

visa issuance) 

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Financial Services as Inspiration

Teller model of serviceto 1970s

Growth of business & long line‐ups1970s to 1980s

Innovation & Technology1980s to Present

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Minimize Paper Handling

Photo credit: Rapid Travel Chai

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Minimize Paper: Photo Cheque

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Automated Border Clearance

Photo credit: Vancouver Airport Authority

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Electronic Travel Authority

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Electronic Travel Authority

• Developed in the 1990s– Australian implementation – Companion to electronic visas

• Rapid expansion– Recent implementations (United States)– Upcoming programs (Canada)

• Relevance to tourism– Benefits: fast, inexpensive, integrated with

check-in– Challenges: confusion with e-Visa, limitation

to certain countries

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Biometrics & e-Passport Integration

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Global Trusted Traveler

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Global Trusted Traveler

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Part IIIVision 2020 for “pushing borders 

out”

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Thank you!

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