How Biometrics Can Aid Travelers in the Philippines

How Biometrics Can Aid Travelers in the Philippines

Published on : May 27, 2019

How can biometrics aid travelers?

  1. Identification process
  2. Minimizing documentation
  3. Enhanced tactile and personal experience

 

Biometrics in the Philippines is an increasingly popular choice for security and identification systems. In this day and age, the travel industry is beginning to embrace the use of biometrics. For a smarter travel experience, the simple paper boarding pass is evolving into digital passes. More travelers are downloading digital passes instead of printing hard copies (an aged way of traveling).

With these developments, there is an increasing demand for new airport systems and faster travel processes. Keeping up with the speed of technology is very important for the travel industry. A slow travel and documentation process can discourage old and new travelers alike.

There are still many sectors that need to include biometrics in their systems. Thankfully, the travel industry is beginning to embrace the advantages and security of using these devices. Since biometric characteristics are not easily replicated, more travelers feel secure. Biometrics can speed up and optimize traveling to make it faster, safer, and simply more convenient. Here are some benefits of biometrics for travelers:

 

Identification process

Identification Process

Identification is one of the most common applications of biometrics. Biometrics use human characteristics that have no permanent change. There are two types of biometrics: physiological and behavioral. Physiological biometrics include facial features, fingerprints, voice, retina, and iris data. Behavioral biometrics relates to signature patterns, handwriting, and gait.

Deploying biometrics for traveling has always been a slow process. But with continuing advancements, more organizations are seeing the great benefits of incorporating biometrics. The goal of biometrics for travel is to make the overall experience smoother and more accurate for both employees and guests, which can reduce the risk of fraud.

Global terrorism has caused global paranoia. Thus, security measures in various airports and borders are increased. The downside of increased security measures causes delays, frustration, and inherent misidentification. To manage and optimize the flow of people within various points of entries, identity and security systems are implemented, most of which mainly use biometrics. These advanced systems acquire fingerprints from visa applicants. The recorded fingerprints are then crosschecked in the database to see if the applicant has any previous records under a different identity. For example, these security measures are implemented under the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Program.

 

Minimizing Documentation

Modern travel requires personal travel documents. Before proper identification was used for travel, cases of fraud were common occurrences. The acquisition of biometrics for travel has become an essential and major part of travel documentation. More individuals feel secure during their travels because fraud has become a minor threat.

Biometric passports integrate a contactless chip that makes a passport machine readable and blocks the release of unnecessary information. Besides airports, hotels also benefit from using biometrics in their systems. Hotel accommodations are using facial recognition systems to accurately identify their guests.

The hotel can scan guest IDs and input their information. Guests can confirm bookings much faster with this system, cutting down the check-in time significantly. Cruises also implement a similar system with facial recognition biometrics to improve and hasten the disembarking process.

 

Enhanced Tactile and Personal Experience

Enhanced Tactile and Personal Experience

Biometrics can enhance a customer’s personal experience with their pre-booked accommodations. Preferences such as room temperature, meals, and drinks can be configured prior for a fully immersive personal experience. Another great innovation with biometrics can incorporate AI technology and biometric indicators to detect heart rate and blinking in order to adjust to the body’s current state at the time. A driver on the verge of dozing off can be detected by the AI, which will adjust the vehicle towards full autonomy to keep the driver safe.

What does this mean for upcoming travelers? Upcoming travelers can enjoy the benefits of a much more tactile experience when traveling. Adding a personal touch to any customer service, may it be from shopping to lodging will always improve the mood of the consumer or guest. Guests who have pleasant experiences tend to have a more positive response and are more likely to return to the establishment because of the comfort and familiarity. That is the key to a great personalized experience. In relation to biometrics, simply streamlining payment and check in experiences can impact the travel industry positively.

 

Key Takeaway

In the Philippines, biometrics can improve the overall travel industry. It’s a known fact that most facilities and accommodations locally are not technologically up to date despite the world-class service being offered. For Filipino travelers, biometrics is the next best move for a better, faster, and much more personal experience. Tourism continues to grow as one of the most powerful industries, with more destinations and more visas becoming accessible.

Streamlining the identification process for travelers can improve the flow of people within airports, public transportation, and cruises. Identity fraud will be successfully averted especially with the new security measures being offered by biometric systems. These security measures are not easily replicated, keeping data safe and secure, away from dangerous individuals who may take advantage of this.