(Lebanon, NH – July 27, 2026) — Nearly 44% of experienced international travelers are at least somewhat concerned that natural disasters will impact their future travel plans, reflecting a growing awareness that extreme weather and geological events have become a routine travel risk. Their concerns are reinforced by experience: one-third (33%) report they have already had an international trip disrupted by wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other natural disasters, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

“Natural disasters have become an expected possibility of international travel planning rather than a remote one,” 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. “When one out of every three experienced travelers has already had a trip disrupted by a wildfire, hurricane, earthquake or volcanic eruption, it’s understandable that many now factor these risks into every stage of planning.”

Among all respondents, 44% are extremely, very or somewhat concerned about natural disasters affecting future travel, while 33% are slightly concerned and 23% are not concerned.

US-based travelers are somewhat less concerned than their international counterparts. Among US-based travelers, 43% are at least somewhat concerned, 34% are slightly concerned and 23% are not concerned. Among non-US-based travelers, 48% are at least somewhat concerned, 30% are slightly concerned and 22% are not concerned.

Unlike many travel risks, natural disasters can emerge with little warning and rapidly shut down airports, close roads, interrupt communications and overwhelm local emergency services. Recent years have brought increasingly frequent travel disruptions from wildfires across Southern Europe and North America, hurricanes throughout the Caribbean, volcanic eruptions in Iceland and Indonesia and major earthquakes in popular international destinations.

“Travelers can no longer assume their destination will operate normally simply because conditions were fine when they booked,” Richards said. “Preparation means monitoring conditions before departure, building flexibility into itineraries and having access to professional assistance if circumstances change.”

Travelers should monitor weather forecasts and official advisories before departure, consider flexible travel arrangements where possible, maintain emergency communications and ensure they have access to medical, security and evacuation resources if local infrastructure becomes compromised.

“Preparation is what separates a travel disruption from a travel crisis,” Richards added. “Experienced travelers recognize that while they can’t prevent natural disasters, they can prepare for them.”

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About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed the world’s most experienced international travelers between June 30 – July 6, 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.