(Lebanon, NH – December 15, 2025) – More than half of the world’s most experienced travelers use translation apps to help them navigate language barriers, with women and non-US travelers leading the way, according to the latest Global Rescue Fall 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

Overall, 59% of travelers reported using translation apps during trips. The share was higher among women (61%) and non-US respondents (62%) compared to men (60%) and US travelers (59%). Only 38% said they do not use translation tools.

The primary reason travelers turn to translation apps is practical: communication with locals — such as reading menus, ordering food or asking for directions — cited by nearly six in ten respondents (59%). Women (60%) were slightly more likely than men (57%) to use translation tools for this purpose. Non-US travelers, however, were more inclined to use translation apps to gain independence and confidence while traveling (15%) compared to US travelers (9%).

“Translation apps have become a quiet but vital part of the modern traveler’s toolkit,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “They help break down barriers, allowing travelers to connect, navigate and explore more confidently, even when language is a challenge.”

While translation apps make travel easier and more accessible, they’re not foolproof. Subtle nuances, slang and cultural expressions can cause errors or misunderstandings. Experts recommend using them as helpful tools — not as a substitute for learning a few key local phrases.

Gaining popularity are real-time translation apps — which instantly translate spoken conversations. More than half of all respondents (54%) said they have used them during international travel. Women were slightly more likely than men to have tried real-time translation (55% versus 53%), while usage was lower among non-US travelers (51%) than US travelers (55%). Another 28% said they haven’t used real-time translation apps yet but plan to.

“The data show that travelers value tools that make communication easier, but adoption still varies,” Richards said. “Technology is closing the gap between languages, helping travelers feel safer, more independent and more engaged in their surroundings.”

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About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. Respondents shared their attitudes, behaviors and preferences related to travel safety, technology and global mobility.

About Global Rescue

Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue maintains exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. The company has provided medical and security support during every major global crisis over the past two decades.
For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.