(Lebanon, N.H – April 14, 2026) – Rare natural phenomena such as auroras, solar eclipses, wildebeest migrations and volcanic eruptions are the strongest catalysts for event-driven international travel, surpassing sporting events, concerts and festivals, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Even so, the findings show that event travel remains a selective motivator, tempered by safety concerns, crowd density and overall risk tolerance.

Overall, 19% of travelers say natural phenomena are the most likely event type to influence their decision to travel internationally. Major sporting events rank a distant second at 11%, followed by music concerts or tours at 9% and cultural or religious festivals at 8%. Conferences and global summits trail at 6%. Notably, 39% of travelers say none of the listed live event types would influence their decision to travel internationally, reinforcing that event travel is not a primary driver for most travelers.

Women show a stronger inclination than men toward phenomenon-driven travel. Twenty-five percent of women say natural events such as auroras or solar eclipses influence their international travel decisions, compared to 15% of men. Men, however, are more likely to travel for major sporting events, with 19% citing sports as a motivator versus 9% of women. Women also demonstrate slightly higher interest in music concerts and cultural festivals.

US and non-US travelers differ sharply in their motivations. Non-US travelers are significantly more likely to travel internationally for natural phenomena, at 25%, compared to 17% of US travelers. US travelers are more inclined to say no event type influences their travel decisions at all, with 42% selecting “none of the above,” compared to 33% of non-US respondents.

“Natural phenomena create rare, time-specific travel opportunities that can’t be replicated or rescheduled,” 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. “That urgency makes these events more compelling than sports or entertainment, but they still don’t override safety, crowd and risk considerations for most travelers.”

Among travelers who do pursue event travel, planning approaches remain divided. Overall, 27% say they prefer to avoid event-driven travel altogether. About 21% say the event itself is the primary reason for the trip, and another 21% say the event strongly influences their destination choice. Fifteen percent treat events as a secondary add-on to an existing itinerary.

Non-US travelers are more likely to build trips around events, with 23% saying the event is the primary reason for travel and 26% saying it strongly influences destination choice. In contrast, 33% of US travelers say they prefer to avoid event-driven travel. Men are slightly more likely than women to avoid event travel, while women are marginally more likely to let events shape destination decisions.

Crowd density remains a critical limiting factor for event travel. Overall, 38% of travelers say crowds discourage them from attending events in person, while 33% prefer smaller or less crowded events. Only 20% say they tolerate crowds if the event is important, and fewer than 1% actively seek out large, high-energy crowds.

Women are more likely than men to say crowds discourage attendance, while men show a higher willingness to tolerate crowds for important events. US and non-US travelers express similarly high levels of crowd aversion, underscoring that large gatherings continue to elevate perceived risk regardless of traveler origin.

“These findings highlight that even the most compelling natural events must be matched with strong safety planning and crowd management,” Richards said. “For destinations hoping to attract event travelers, managing risk is just as important as promoting the spectacle.”

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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 1,400 current and former members between January 13 – 17, 2026. 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.