Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: Given the surge in demand for travel over the last few years the launch of EES in November and the ETIAS scheme next year will add significant complexities for many travellers who are not clear on what this means for them and their travel plans to the EU. It is vital that the travel industry is prepared for the introduction of new processes and that there is a smooth and efficient process for border staff to implement the new measures whilst minimising any disruption to travellers on their journeys and avoiding travel chaos. 

In order to avoid significant details at airports and ports, it remains critically important that the government initiates a clear and robust communication strategy to ensure no one is left with any degree of uncertainty. There are already working groups in place cross industry and government and as we get close to the date this will require even more scrutiny. Right now there is very limited public awareness of what this means for anyone expecting to travel to Europe from outside the EU and as we get closer to the launch date and key travel periods clear and transparent communication will be vital.

Safety and security are of course paramount, but it is crucial that the government and the travel industry work together to make sure that Brits have a thorough understanding of the new systems, when they come into effect and how they will impact travel. 

The risk of confusion, delays and anxiety all remain a significant worry as anyone who does not purchase an ETIAS before travelling to the EU will not be allowed entry and under the EES, all passengers without EU passports will be required to have their fingerprints registered and their pictures taken on arrival in the bloc.

 We understand that people can be hesitant to travel if they expect delays however with this information valid for the next three years of travel, we then hope to see the use of automated border control checks and self-service systems increase the speed of processing times and improve the overall experience for all travellers so we do not think it should discourage people from travelling. We expect the EES to be a small addition to the process of travel and have minimal impact on the incredibly strong demand we are seeing for travel this year from consumers.

We recommend booking through your local travel agent who will be able to ensure you are fully compliant with all travel requirements, as well as receiving the best value for flights and accommodation, using their expert knowledge. Advantage is working together with all our travel agent partners to ensure they are aware of the new processes and are able to help their customers."