FAQ: How can digital identities transform travel & hospitality?

In the post-pandemic years, European travel has been soaring. Spain alone set a new record last year, with 94 million international travelers, accounting for €126 billion in tourism revenues. Apart from concerns about overtourism, the boom brings serious challenges for travel operators. They must satisfy an increasing demand without neglecting the experience of their guests, safety, and efficiency. Digital identities (eIDs) offer a solution to expedite travel formalities from the airport to the hotel room. Get the most critical questions about the technology answered:

What exactly are digital identities?

Digital identities (eIDs) are secure electronic credentials that confirm a person’s identity in both digital and physical contexts. Typically, eIDs are linked to digital wallets, such as the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI), which the EU is currently developing. However, apart from that, private vendors will also be able to launch their ID wallet solutions. The solutions enable verified access to services such as hotel check-ins, flight bookings, and car rentals – with no need for physical documents or paper signatures. For the travel and hospitality industry, eIDs are transformative, enabling smoother guest journeys, reducing administrative overhead, and supporting compliance with legal and security requirements. Instead of copying passports at check-in (which can be a data privacy violation) or manually processing forms, staff can focus on delivering a better guest experience.

What are the key operational challenges that digital IDs help solve?

To this day, the travel sector is still burdened by outdated, fragmented identity processes. These include repeated document checks, manual paper forms, and inconsistencies across borders. eIDs offer a unified, secure, and legally compliant alternative. They reduce costs by automating onboarding, eliminating friction in customer interactions, and mitigating security risks from data mismanagement or fraud. With eIDs, identity verification becomes faster, more accurate, and less intrusive.

How do eIDs enhance the hotel check-in experience?

Digital identity enables guests to check in online or via a mobile app using their verified electronic identification (eID) before arrival. This eliminates the need to present ID at the front desk, reducing queues, which is especially helpful during peak hours. Guests can also sign mandatory registration forms electronically. For hoteliers, this results in improved operational efficiency, legal compliance (e.g., reporting to local authorities), and higher guest satisfaction. Ultimately, this technology frees up staff time and enables a more contactless and modern guest experience.

What role do digital identities have in fighting fraud?

Digital fraud in travel, including phishing, fake listings, and identity theft, is on the rise. eIDs provide strong user authentication to fight back. They use encrypted data, biometric authentication, and verified credentials to prevent impersonation. This protects both guests and providers from unauthorized transactions, account hijacking, or reputational damage caused by fraudulent activities. Secure and easy onboarding can even become a brand asset that differentiates offers from the competition.

Can digital identities be linked to health records and medical information?

Yes. eIDs can be linked to verifiable digital health certificates (e.g., COVID-19 vaccinations, test results, yellow fever records, and many more). These documents are issued and signed by certified medical authorities securely. When integrated with eIDs, they become tamper-proof and easy to verify by airlines, hotels, or border authorities. This ensures compliance with international health regulations, speeds up entry processes, and enhances traveler safety.

Are eIDs also used for business travel and corporate clients?

Corporate travelers and their companies benefit from consistent identity profiles across platforms. eIDs streamline bookings, access negotiated rates, and authenticate travelers on arrival. Business documents, such as NDAs, expense reports, or rental agreements, can be signed digitally, increasing speed and accountability. Travel managers gain better control over compliance and cost transparency, while travelers enjoy smoother and more transparent processes. This is especially relevant for multinational companies with cross-border operations, as it ensures an efficient workflow and compliance.

Where can I get additional information?

Want to dive deeper into the topic of eIDs and discover use cases for the tourism industry? Download our new whitepaper for free.

All You Need to Know About eIDs for Travel & Hospitality

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Customer success stories

Customer success stories

FAQ: How can digital identities transform travel & hospitality?

What exactly are digital identities?

What are the key operational challenges that digital IDs help solve?

How do eIDs enhance the hotel check-in experience?

What role do digital identities have in fighting fraud?

Can digital identities be linked to health records and medical information?

Are eIDs also used for business travel and corporate clients?

Where can I get additional information?

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