The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomes the introduction of the next-generation Public Key Directory (PKD) by the International Civil Aviation Organization, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of secure and seamless global travel.

WTTC has long championed initiatives that enable safe and seamless travel. Its Better Borders report underscores the importance of modernising border systems to meet growing global demand. According to the report, Travel & Tourism is projected to reach $16.5 trillion in global GDP 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 across G20, EU, and African Union nations.

As international travel continues to expand, the need to enhance both border security and operational efficiency has never been more critical. ICAO’s upgraded PKD system will enable governments, airlines, and airports to verify digital travel credentials in real time—ensuring document authenticity while improving the overall passenger journey.

The new system supports faster border processing, remote document authentication, and the integration of verified biometric technologies. Together, these advancements pave the way for more streamlined, secure, and traveller-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 credentials, this initiative strengthens both security and facilitation at borders. At WTTC, we fully endorse this advancement, which aligns with our vision for a seamless, traveller-centric journey and supports the continued growth and resilience of the Travel & Tourism sector.”

Initiatives such as ICAO’s PKD demonstrate how digital innovation can simultaneously enhance security and improve traveller experiences, supporting a more resilient and future-ready global Travel & Tourism ecosystem.