Articles tagged “borders”

Managing Foreign Visitor Data Is Getting a Pandemic Rethink Across Travel

Sean O'Neill, Skift

New tech launched today in Seychelles spotlights the issues many border agencies will face when collecting coronavirus-related health data from travelers.

European Union to Bar Most U.S. Travelers From Entry When It Reopens Borders

Philip Blenkinsop, Reuters

The U.S. once aspired to be an example to the world in its organizational feats. But not in 2020. The country's chaotic response to the pandemic may cost the travel industry dearly as bans against U.S. visitors spread.

Spain Speeds Border Opening to June 21 for Schengen Tourists

Joan Faus, Reuters

Canada and the U.S. Slated to Extend Travel Ban Through July

David Ljunggren and Steve Scherer, Reuters

No "bienvenue" for you. The United States and Canada appear set to agree to keep their 5,500-mile border closed to nonessential traffic, as the coronavirus continues to spread in both nations.

Italy Asks Fellow European Union Nations to Welcome Italian Visitors Soon

Marja Novak, Reuters

Germany, Switzerland, and Lithuania seem the most willing to reopen their borders to Italians soon, but expect other countries to be more reticent.

EU Health Agency Slams Border Closures as Too Late and Costly to Tame Coronavirus

Francesco Guarascio, Reuters

The fine print in this Tuesday report by Europe's top health agency is that border controls can sometimes be effective in delaying an epidemic at its start or in isolated regions. In other words, now that the pandemic is unleashed, many travel restrictions aren't worth the cost to society.

Travel Industry to Expand Biometrics Tech to Speed Traveler Identification

Justin Bachman, Bloomberg

Airlines and other travel companies have been testing more than 50 systems for so-called biometric identification technologies, such as faceprint scans. But the industry needs to agree on standards for collecting, tracking, exchanging, and protecting travelers' data to speed everyone's journeys.

The Resilience of the American Vacation in Mexico

Sarah Enelow-Snyder, Skift

The relationship between American tourists and Mexico is nearly a century old and has weathered ups and downs. Today's drug-related violence, mounting border tension, and political rhetoric won't stop these trips, but are clearly disrupting them.

WeChat to Smooth China’s Border Process for Travelers Between Hong Kong and Mainland

Lulu Yilun Chen, Bloomberg

When people pass between Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, they have to present border documents, called permits. A new feature on the popular WeChat app could replace the need for the documents someday, according to a proposal. Here's hoping.

Record Number of Electronic Devices Swept Up in U.S. Border Inspections

Associated Press

The legality of searching electronic devices is a contested but long-standing practice. The chances of being searched are small. Last year, roughly 7 out of every 100,000 international travelers arriving in the U.S. had their devices searched.

Southbound Lanes at U.S.-Mexico Border Crossing Closes for Weekend Repairs

Julie Watson, Associated Press

Some 50,000 cars pass through this U.S.-Mexico border crossing on weekends. Damn, with all this talk about border walls, it seems the U.S. and Mexico are actually neighbors with myriad connections.

Trump Scales Back Vision for His Border Wall With Mexico

Margaret Talev and Justin Sink, Bloomberg

The border wall was the presidential campaign promise that most excited Trump's supporters. It would be a huge disappointment for them if it doest materialize. If some semblance of a wall indeed gets constructed, then expect it to tarnish the U.S. brand as a tourist destination.