(Lebanon, N.H. — January 26, 2026) — Visiting a new country, destination or continent is the top travel resolution for 2026, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, signaling a strong appetite for exploration and global mobility despite ongoing uncertainty in the travel environment.

Overall, 41% of respondents say their most important 2026 travel resolution is to visit someplace new. The desire for exploration is particularly pronounced among women, with 46% citing new destinations as their top priority compared to 40% of men. The gap widens geographically: 54% of non-US travelers prioritize visiting new destinations, versus 38% of US travelers.

US respondents are more focused on increasing the frequency of travel, with 21% naming “travel more” as their top resolution, compared to 15% of non-US travelers.

“Travelers are clearly prioritizing discovery in 2026,” 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. “Whether it’s a first-time destination or an entirely new region, that sense of exploration comes with added complexity — and it reinforces why medical, security and evacuation preparedness remain essential.”

Off-Peak Travel Becomes the New Normal

While bold exploration is top of mind, most travelers are not dramatically changing when they travel. A majority, 57%, say they expect to travel internationally during off-peak or ‘hidden’ seasons about the same as before, but 34% say they are more likely to do so in 2026.

Women are more inclined toward off-peak travel, with 39% saying they are more likely to travel during hidden seasons, compared to 33% of men. US travelers express greater hesitation, with 10% saying they are less likely to travel off-peak, compared to just 1% of non-US travelers.

“Hidden-season travel offers fewer crowds and often better value, but it can also mean limited infrastructure and reduced local services,” Richards said. “Travelers need to balance opportunity with risk awareness.”

Lesser-Known Destinations Strongly Preferred

Destination choice further underscores the shift toward exploration. More than half of all respondents, 52%, say they prefer lesser-known international destinations with fewer crowds in 2026. Only 12% favor well-known destinations with established tourism, while 27% report no strong preference.

Women overwhelmingly favor lesser-known destinations, with 63% selecting this option compared to 49% of men. Non-US travelers, at 55%, also show a stronger preference for emerging or less crowded destinations than US travelers, at 52%.

“Travelers are pushing beyond traditional hotspots,” Richards said. “That trend increases the importance of having rapid access to medical care, evacuation services and real-time security intelligence — especially in destinations where resources may be limited.”

###

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. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.