The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has raised concerns that the introduction of Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) border controls may put as many as 41 million visitor arrivals at risk. This warning reflects potential significant disruptions in visitor flow linked to the recent immigration system changes.
According to WTTC analysis, border processing delays of up to three hours could emerge at European entry points. Such extended waiting times might negatively influence tourism arrival numbers and spending, which could affect the sector’s overall performance.
Potential Impact of Prolonged Border Queues
Travelers crossing into Europe may experience substantial wait times at border control as the EES
is implemented region-wide. The WTTC has highlighted that these delays represent a potential threat to maintaining current visitor volumes and tourism-related revenues. Reports detailing these concerns have been published between early and mid-June 2026.
While the specific causes behind such delays remain primarily associated with the EES rollout, the WTTC refrains from speculating on other factors or providing country-specific effects. The focus remains on the risks posed by the extended border checks inherent in the new system.
