Jamaica is set to implement SITA’s digital travel declaration technology.

Air transport IT specialist SITA is to deploy a digital travel declaration solution to help the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) facilitate travelers’ pre-trip journeys.

The platform allows passengers to submit all immigration, customs and health documents required to enter Jamaica.

Currently, the Jamaican government uses a separate platform to collect travelers’ immigration and customs information.

The deployment of SITA technology is said to help PICA officials integrate these processes into a single platform for travelers to submit all documents and information and obtain travel permits.

Using this technology, passengers’ travel documents are verified and certified even before they arrive at the airport.

SITA Americas President Mathis Serfontein said, “We are proud to support the Jamaican government in adapting its systems to welcome travelers as visitor numbers quickly return to pre-pandemic levels.

“The benefits of digital travel reporting in terms of added efficiency and simplicity are well-established for the long term.

“We appreciate the ways in which Jamaica has made efforts to improve its border processes with the help of new technologies and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”

SITA’s digital travel manifest allows passengers to avoid long airport queues.

By implementing this technology, PICA aims to facilitate a safe and smooth return to international travel in Jamaica as tourism recovers.

PCA CEO Andrew Winter said: “We want to welcome visitors to Jamaica in the friendliest, safest and most transparent way possible, and we’re delighted to see visitors returning in large numbers.

“SITA has given us the opportunity to streamline our immigration processes and provide a simpler experience for travelers by helping to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Given Jamaica’s past successes in implementing SITA’s innovative cross-border solutions, I know the digital travel manifest will be of great benefit to Jamaica’s economic and governance strategies.”

Last month, Brazil’s São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and RIOgaleão – Tom Jobim International Airport (RIOgaleão) (GIG) used SITA to upgrade their passenger processing technology.