Collaboration between WTTC and Aruba's Government to orchestrate the inaugural smooth travel experience combining air and ground journeys, utilizing biometric technology as the key component.
In an exciting development for the Travel and Tourism industry, Aruba has announced the launch of a groundbreaking pilot project called 'Aruba Happy Flow'. This innovative initiative, a partnership between the Aruba Airport Authority and biometrics company Vision-Box, aims to create a seamless, secure, and easy travel experience from flight to car rental and hotel check-in [1].
Prime Minister of Aruba, Mrs Evelyna C. Wever-Croes, expressed pride in this partnership, highlighting its potential impact on the future of Travel and Tourism [2]. The project will utilise biometric technology, specifically facial recognition, to pass travelers through checkpoints during their journey, making it a completely touch-free process [3].
The 'Aruba Happy Flow' was initially launched in 2015 and is now being extended to include car rental and hotel check-in [4]. Travellers arriving at Aruba's Reina Beatrix International Airport will use Vision-Box's biometric technology for the extended Happy Flow, ensuring secure identity checks for all stakeholders in the travel ecosystem [5].
The Aruba Happy Flow is designed to eliminate the need for travellers to provide personal information and passport details multiple times. Instead, passengers will provide their identity only once when travelling, with the data then processed securely, satisfying organizations and government agencies throughout the journey [6].
The shared platform in the Happy Flow pilot will securely and accurately transfer data between stakeholders, enhancing efficiency and service provision [7]. Divi Aruba Resorts and the Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort are participating hotels in the Happy Flow pilot extension, while the local Hertz Car Rental franchise in Aruba is the car rental partner [8].
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Government of Aruba have partnered to launch this world-first pilot that links aviation and non-air destination services [9]. WTTC's Seamless Traveller Journey programme, led by Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, aims to transform the travel industry by eliminating the need for travellers to repeatedly provide their personal information and passport details [10].
WTTC's Gloria Guevara encourages other governments to test and adopt the latest biometric technology for improved travel security and efficiency [11]. With an investment in new aviation infrastructure and technologies like biometrics, WTTC estimates that between 12 million and 31 million additional Travel & Tourism jobs could be created by 2028 [12].
The Aruba Happy Flow pilot is a significant step towards creating a unified travel ecosystem where the traveller uses a seamless biometric identity to facilitate passport-free, document-free movement and services throughout their trip [1]. This initiative underscores Aruba's commitment to innovation and its ambition to lead the way in digital transformation within the Travel and Tourism sector.
[1] World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) [2] Aruba Tourism Authority [3] Aruba Airport Authority [4] Aruba Government Press Release [5] Vision-Box [6] Oliver Wyman Consulting Firm [7] WTTC Seamless Traveller Journey Programme [8] Divi Aruba Resorts [9] Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort [10] Hertz Car Rental Aruba [11] WTTC Press Release [12] WTTC Economic Impact Report 2019
This initiative, the Aruba Happy Flow, demonstrates Aruba's commitment to integrating technology into its lifestyle, using biometric technology for a seamless travel experience from flight to car rental and hotel check-in. The World Travel & Tourism Council's Seamless Traveller Journey program, led by Gloria Guevara, aims to transform the travel industry by embracing technology, with Aruba as a prime example.
