The challenge

Across the travel ecosystem, several barriers may stand in the way of realizing this 24-hour “apply and fly” vision. Despite technology advancements, government agencies responsible for processing visa applications face growing backlogs. Both travelers and immigrants can wait weeks, months, and sometimes even years for processing of documentation such as employment authorizations, travel credentials, or replacement passports.

In the United States, our travel ecosystem agencies, including the Department of State, US Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, are critical to protecting national security, vetting travelers entering the country, and ensuring the US has access to the workforce it needs to continue generating economic growth. Adjudicating complex matters, such as citizenship naturalization or traveler entry, can’t be rushed and must follow myriad and well-established laws, rules, and systems. As technology advances, travelers’ expectations (especially for our “digital native” generations) are shifting, which can create challenges between users’ experience and the processes established to allow people to travel and immigrate.

The solution: reimagine the Future of Travel

To overcome these challenges, government agencies can collaborate with the private sector in new ways that champion a seamless, end-to-end traveler experience. These collaborations can help agencies identify and implement emerging technologies and modern tools that can expedite processing, identify high-risk cases, and enable the rapid approval of low-risk travel. Private sector partners can also share perspectives and lessons learned from across the travel ecosystem, promoting a more holistic, user-centered approach that benefits travelers, immigration officers and workers alike.

What could the building blocks of reimagined travel look like? Here are four considerations:

Deloitte’s Future of Travel

Deloitte’s Future of Travel offering can help to create a more connected, accessible, and secure world where governments, businesses, workers and travelers can confidently navigate a modern and seamless travel ecosystem.

With customizable, automation-rich technology products, unmatched strategic experience, proven processes, and a strong global footprint, Deloitte provides a truly transformative end-to-end solution. Together, we can propel travel operations forward and reach an enhanced state of efficiency.

To learn more about our approach to making travel more seamless and secure, please visit Deloitte.com/futureoftravel