(Lebanon, N.H – March 12, 2026) – Most travelers say they generally feel safe traveling alone, but a significant portion still modify their behavior and avoid certain destinations due to security concerns, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Mexico and the Middle East are the most frequently cited destinations travelers avoid due to safety concerns.

Overall, 67% of travelers say they usually feel safe traveling solo in most destinations. Another 19% say they sometimes feel safe, while 6% say they rarely feel safe and 6% say they do not feel safe traveling alone. These findings highlight a prevailing sense of confidence among solo travelers, tempered by persistent underlying risk awareness.

Clear differences emerge between US and non-US travelers. Nearly three-quarters (76%) of US travelers say they usually feel safe traveling alone, compared to 46% of non-US travelers. In contrast, non-US respondents are far more likely to express uncertainty, with 31% saying they sometimes feel safe and 11% saying they rarely feel safe. Nearly 9% of non-US travelers say they do not feel safe traveling solo at all, compared to 5% of US travelers.

“Travelers may feel confident overall, but that confidence is not universal and it varies significantly by region,” 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. “Non-US travelers, in particular, appear more cautious and less assured when navigating destinations alone.”

That caution is reflected in the safety measures travelers adopt. The most common precaution taken when traveling alone is remaining aware of surroundings at all times, cited by 81% of respondents. Dressing conservatively to blend in follows at 57%, while 45% say they hire reputable drivers or taxis. One-third select lodging with 24-hour security or staffed lobbies, and 23% prioritize hotels with elevator key card access. Only 5% report taking no safety precautions at all.

Non-US travelers consistently report higher use of layered safety measures. Compared to US travelers, they are more likely to choose hotels with elevator key card access, carry portable door locks and stoppers, use personal alarms and rely on staffed lodging. They are also more likely to report constant situational awareness while traveling alone.

Safety concerns are also influencing where travelers choose not to go. Overall, 51% of travelers say they have avoided certain countries due to safety concerns when traveling alone. Among non-US travelers, avoidance rises sharply to 64%, compared to 47% of US travelers.
“These behaviors show that travelers are not ignoring risk — they are actively managing it,” Richards said. “Avoiding destinations, selecting secure lodging and adjusting daily habits are all part of a broader effort to reduce exposure and maintain personal safety.”

###

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.