TBM Staff - Mumbai
Teodora Marinska, COO, and Head of Public Affairs, European Travel Commission, emphasised the pivotal role of digitalisation in facilitating travel to Europe during a session at the Arabian Travel Market. She hailed the introduction of a new bill aimed at fully digitising the Schengen visa application process as a positive step forward, anticipating that it would simplify and expedite the procedure by eliminating the need for personal appearances, particularly benefiting frequent travelers.
Europe boasts the world’s largest passport-free travel area, the Schengen area, which Marinska sees as a cornerstone for fostering inter-regional tourism. She attributed the rapid post-pandemic recovery largely to internal or inter-regional tourism.
Marinska acknowledged the frustrations associated with obtaining Schengen visas due to appointment delays, often stemming from a preference for consulates with more streamlined processes. Digitalisation, she stressed, is the solution being pursued by the European Union to address this issue comprehensively.
Anticipating a transformative impact, Marinska emphasised the importance of digitalisation for creating a seamless travel experience, highlighting the need for smooth implementation at borders to prevent delays and avoid burdening transportation operators.
She lauded the success of the Schengen visa system as a model for others, while cautioning that security concerns should not overshadow the values of free movement and the economic benefits of travel.
In advising the Gulf Cooperation Council on adopting Schengen-inspired policies, Marinska urged prioritizing the traveller’s perspective to streamline processes and enhance the overall experience.
Recognising the rapid pace of change in the tourism landscape, Marinska emphasised the necessity for adaptable systems capable of swift adjustment.
