(Lebanon, N.H. – May 3, 2023) Despite forecasts of a declining economy and a potential slide into a full-blown recession, travelers overwhelmingly are keeping their itineraries for international and domestic trips this year, according to the recent Global Rescue Spring 2023Travelers Sentiment and Safety Survey of the world’s most experienced travelers.

More than three-quarters (76%) of travelers said predictions of a recession have not caused them to cancel or postpone international travel in 2023. Only four percent of respondents stated that expectations of an economic recession compelled them to call off or reschedule an upcoming trip abroad.

Travelers are skirting economic projections from financial professionals signaling the U.S. economy is headed for a recession. “Whether travelers disbelieve an economic slowdown is looming or adopted a post-pandemic determination to travel while they can, they are brushing aside recession hesitation and keeping their plans to travel internationally,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Adventure trips (35%) are the leading kind of travel respondents are planning for 2023, followed by fishing trips (29%), beach getaways (27%) and hiking excursions (24%). Two-thirds (66%) of respondents revealed they plan to travel to destinations where they have never been. Africa led all destinations chosen by respondents, followed by Italy, Alaska, Spain and Iceland.

Traveler concerns about trip disruption continue to shift away from pandemic-related worries. Having an injury or illness (47%) is the overwhelming fear among respondents followed distantly by civil unrest (13%), trip cancellation (11%), and losing important things like a passport, wallet or purse (9%).

Most will travel as a couple (45%) while another quarter (26%) will journey with family or a group of friends. Solo travelers comprise 23% of those making an international trip.

Since the pandemic, the travel landscape has shifted. “Whether you’re taking a trip alone or with others obtaining additional precautions – like emergency medical and security evacuation protection – are essential,” Richards said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey 

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,600 of its current and former members between April 25-30, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue 

The Global Rescue Companies are the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.