(Lebanon, NH – August 26, 2026) — Escalating geopolitical tensions, civil unrest and armed conflicts around the world are reshaping international travel decisions, with nearly one-third (29%) of the world’s most experienced international travelers canceling, postponing or changing an international trip in 2026 because of destination safety concerns, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

The survey found that 72% of experienced international travelers say geopolitical tensions, civil unrest and security concerns influence where they travel at least a moderate amount, including 42% who say those issues influence their destination choices a great deal or a lot. Only 8% report that security concerns play no role in selecting international destinations.

Among travelers who changed their plans, 9% selected an alternative destination, 7% postponed an international trip and 6% canceled a trip altogether. A

nother 71% have continued with their original travel plans despite the increasingly uncertain global security environment.

“International travelers are adapting to a world where geopolitical instability has become part of the travel planning process,” 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. “Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, civil unrest, terrorism concerns and regional security issues are causing experienced travelers to reassess destinations that may have seemed routine only a few years ago. Travelers aren’t giving up on international travel, they’re making more informed decisions about where and when to go.”

While concern is widespread, differences emerge between US-based and non-US-based travelers.

Among US-based travelers, 72% say geopolitical tensions and security concerns influence their destination choices at least a moderate amount, including 44% who say those factors influence them a great deal or a lot. Twenty-eight percent have already changed, postponed or canceled an international trip in 2026 because of destination safety concerns.

Among non-US-based travelers, 74% say security concerns influence their destination choices at least a moderate amount, while 40% report those issues influence them a great deal or a lot. Nearly 29% have also altered their travel plans, but they are significantly more likely than US travelers to change destinations rather than cancel trips. Nearly 14% of non-US travelers selected a different destination compared with 8% of US-based travelers.

Traveler Decision-Making Tools

When assessing destination safety, experienced travelers overwhelmingly rely on authoritative sources. Nearly 49% identify government travel advisories as their most important source of information before traveling internationally. Another 21% rely primarily on news reports, while 16% turn first to travel security providers.

US-based travelers are more likely to rely on government travel advisories (52% versus 41%), while non-US-based travelers place greater emphasis on news reports (28% versus 19%). Only 5% of experienced travelers say they typically do not research destination safety before departing.

“The quality of information matters as much as the destination itself,” Richards said. “Experienced travelers don’t rely on headlines or social media alone. They compare government advisories, monitor credible news reporting and seek professional security intelligence to understand what’s happening on the ground before they commit to an itinerary.”

Richards said today’s international travelers recognize that geopolitical conditions can evolve rapidly and affect transportation, border crossings, demonstrations, curfews and access to medical care.

“The question is no longer simply, ‘Where do I want to travel?’ It’s ‘What risks exist there today, and how quickly could conditions change?'” Richards said. “Experienced travelers understand that informed destination selection is one of the most effective ways to reduce travel risk while still enjoying the world.”

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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.