For years, the travel industry has promised us a paperless utopia. No more dog-eared passports, misplaced boarding passes, or rummaging through handbags for that all-important scrap of paper. Instead, sleek digital passports and clever gadgets would glide us across borders like seasoned diplomats. Yet, as the latest Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey reveals, the dream is not quite departure-ready.
When asked whether they’d be comfortable using a passport or ID stored on a smartphone, 40% of respondents said yes, while another 30% sat on the fence with a polite “maybe.” Predictably, youth led the charge — 55% of under-35s nodded happily, compared to 46% of the 35–54 age bracket and just 38% of the 55-plus group. In other words, Gen Z are almost 45% more likely than their grandparents to flash a smartphone at a border guard and hope for the best.
The fine print of digital dreams
But enthusiasm does not erase worry. More than a third of travellers fret about being stranded if their phone runs out of charge or, heaven forbid, goes missing in an airport lounge. The survey notes that women are particularly cautious 42% expressed concern about losing access, compared to 33% of men.
“Digital passports are appealing to some segments of the population, but travellers want confidence that they’ll still have access when technology fails and that data security and privacy concerns are addressed,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
The irony is that while 30% of respondents believe digital passports would make travel quicker and more convenient, only 4% seem thrilled about the United States belatedly joining countries already using such systems. Among under-35s, excitement levels dip to almost zero — hardly a ringing endorsement for Washington’s attempt to play catch-up.
Wearables: the gadget aisle nobody’s queuing for
As for wearable technology, the survey paints a picture less “James Bond” and more “still in beta.” Just 3% of travellers have tried smart glasses or live translation gadgets. Another 14% say they plan to give them a go, while 35% remain in the “maybe one day” camp.
Interestingly, the most curious cohort is travellers aged 35–54, with 18% planning to explore wearables, which is 50% above average. Apparently, this is the age where one is tech-savvy enough to experiment, but not so young as to dismiss smart glasses as nerd chic.
Translation triumphs: tech that actually works
Where the survey strikes gold is in translation. Nine out of ten travellers regard live translation in messaging and video apps as a blessing. Over a third (36%) call it “extremely useful,” while 54% deem it “somewhat useful.” For once, there’s little generational divide, though the 35–54 group edges ahead with 40% rating it “extremely useful,” compared to 35% of their younger and older counterparts.
“Live translation built into communication apps has the potential to remove one of the biggest barriers to international travel — language,” Richards explained. “The more seamless the technology becomes, the more confident and independent travellers will be.”
It’s hard to argue. Unlike the fragile promise of digital passports, live translation is a practical bridge, allowing travellers to book a train ticket in Tokyo, order tapas in Madrid, or survive a Parisian taxi driver’s spirited commentary without needing a Berlitz dictionary.
The verdict: promising, but patience is required
So, will we soon stroll through airports armed only with our smartphones, smart glasses and apps? Perhaps, but don’t retire the leather passport wallet just yet. For now, travellers remain intrigued, cautious, and keen to see whether governments, tech firms and airlines can provide innovation, reliability and trust.
Until then, the future of travel technology resembles an under-tested prototype: glossy on the outside, but still in need of a sturdier battery and a little more faith from its would-be users.
By Sandra Jones
