NEWS

(Lebanon, NH – January 5, 2026) – More than one in three travelers are thinking about retiring outside their home country, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. The results show strong curiosity about international retirement among younger and higher-income respondents, with only about half of all travelers saying they plan to retire domestically.

“Travel often sparks more than just short-term adventure—it opens people’s eyes to what life could look like elsewhere,” 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. “For many, the idea of retiring abroad represents freedom, affordability and access to new experiences.”

Younger Travelers More Open to the Idea

Interest in retiring abroad was highest among travelers under 55, particularly those between 35 and 54 years old. While the majority of survey respondents are over 55, the data indicate that a new generation of travelers is beginning to link their travel ambitions with long-term lifestyle planning.

“People who started traveling globally in their 30s and 40s are now thinking about how they could make that lifestyle permanent,” Richards said. “They’ve seen firsthand how different cultures live—and they’re considering how that could fit into their future.”

Income Plays a Major Role

Wealthier travelers are leading the retirement-abroad trend. Respondents with household incomes above $150,000 were the most likely to consider living overseas, with interest tapering among those earning less than $100,000. Nearly one in ten travelers (9%) reported annual incomes above $500,000, a group particularly drawn to international retirement options.

“Financial flexibility is often a deciding factor,” Richards noted. “The more exposure travelers have to global destinations—and the means to plan accordingly—the more comfortable they are with the idea of retiring somewhere new.”

Gender Similarities in Retirement Outlook

Men (38%) and women (35%) were nearly identical in their interest in retiring abroad. Just over half of all respondents (51%) said they intend to remain in their home country, while 13% are undecided.

“These numbers reflect growing openness to global living,” Richards said. “Even if travelers don’t ultimately move abroad, the fact that one-third are seriously thinking about it shows a significant cultural shift in how people view retirement.”

For more information, contact:

Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.

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 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 supported Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.

(Lebanon, NH – December 31, 2025) – Travelers around the world are divided on whether they’d embrace the next generation of supersonic passenger flights, but they overwhelmingly agree on one thing: when it comes to exploring the world, authenticity and history matter most.

According to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, US travelers are more eager to board a new, low-noise supersonic jet from New York to London than their international counterparts. Nearly one in three Americans (31%) said they would book a $3,500 round-trip ticket on a 3.5-hour flight, compared to just 26% of non-US respondents. Women were more cautious than men, with only 27% saying they’d book the flight versus 30% of men and a larger share of women (39%) saying “maybe” compared to 34% of men.

“The data show a clear curiosity about the return of supersonic travel after a two decade absence, but travelers remain practical and cautious,” 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. “For many, speed is appealing, but not necessarily worth the cost or the unknowns of a brand-new travel capability.”

When it comes to airport convenience, however, US travelers are far ahead in adopting programs designed to save time and reduce stress. More than 64% of American respondents said they’re already members of a trusted traveler program such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, compared to just 20% of non-US travelers. Meanwhile, another 22% of non-US respondents said they plan to join soon, more than triple the share of Americans (6%) who said the same.

Women are also slightly ahead of men in trusted traveler program participation, with 57% saying they’re already members compared to 52% of men. But while men tend to prioritize speed — 47% cited saving time as their top reason for joining — women leaned toward peace of mind, with 38% emphasizing convenience and less stress.

For those not enrolled, practical concerns remain. Cost and the time involved in the application process were the top reasons cited by both men and women, but women were notably more likely to express privacy concerns (11%) than men (6%).

Despite differences in speed preferences and travel logistics, both genders — and travelers across regions — share an appetite for discovery rooted in meaning rather than mass tourism. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of all respondents said they prefer hidden gems over iconic attractions. Women (69%) and non-US travelers (68%) were slightly more likely than men (64%) and Americans (64%) to seek out lesser-known treasures over tourist landmarks.

When asked whether they choose destinations for historic significance or modern appeal, the vast majority (75%) selected history. Women again led the way (77%), slightly outpacing men (75%). US travelers (78%) were more historically minded than their non-US counterparts (70%), suggesting that while Americans may embrace faster flights, they prefer destinations where the past runs deep.

“Today’s travelers are increasingly intentional,” Richards said. “They want experiences that feel authentic, immersive and personally meaningful — whether that means avoiding crowds, skipping the obvious stops or connecting more deeply with a destination’s history and culture.”

For more information, contact:

Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.

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 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. The company has supported 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.

(Lebanon, NH – December 22, 2025) – When it comes to fantasy travel companions, most travelers want expertise and conversation over glitz and glamor, according to the latest Global Rescue Fall 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

More than one in six respondents (17%) said they would most like to travel with travel expert Rick Steves, who topped the list for both men and women and was especially popular among US travelers (22%). Women (23%) were even more enthusiastic about Steves than men (15%), reflecting a preference for cultural exploration and authentic experiences over celebrity status.

Among women, Oprah Winfrey (10%) and Taylor Swift (6%) were next most popular, while men were more inclined toward Rory McIlroy (5%), Robert De Niro (7%) and Willie Nelson (6%). Internationally, Robert De Niro was the clear favorite (13%) among non-US respondents, followed by Taylor Swift (8%) and Halle Berry (7%).

“Travel is personal. Whether someone wants deep cultural insight from Rick Steves, creative inspiration from Taylor Swift, or worldly storytelling from Robert De Niro, the choices say a lot about how travelers view the journey itself,” said Bill McIntyre, Global Rescue director of communications.

When asked where they would go with their dream celebrity companion, travelers revealed a mix of wanderlust and worldliness. Istanbul (11%) and Paris (9%) were the most popular destinations overall, followed closely by London (9%) and Dubai (8%).

Women favored Istanbul (15%) and Paris (11%), while men leaned slightly more toward London (9%) and Dubai (8%). Non-US travelers preferred Istanbul and Singapore, while Americans gravitated toward Paris and Istanbul.

“These responses show that travelers remain inspired by destinations rich in culture, history and global connectivity,” McIntyre said. “Even in fantasy travel, people are thinking about real-world experiences — places that combine beauty with meaning.”

For more information, contact:

Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7-13, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.

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 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 supported Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.

(Lebanon, NH – December 15, 2025) – More than half of the world’s most experienced travelers use translation apps to help them navigate language barriers, with women and non-US travelers leading the way, according to the latest Global Rescue Fall 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

Overall, 59% of travelers reported using translation apps during trips. The share was higher among women (61%) and non-US respondents (62%) compared to men (60%) and US travelers (59%). Only 38% said they do not use translation tools.

The primary reason travelers turn to translation apps is practical: communication with locals — such as reading menus, ordering food or asking for directions — cited by nearly six in ten respondents (59%). Women (60%) were slightly more likely than men (57%) to use translation tools for this purpose. Non-US travelers, however, were more inclined to use translation apps to gain independence and confidence while traveling (15%) compared to US travelers (9%).

“Translation apps have become a quiet but vital part of the modern traveler’s toolkit,” 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. “They help break down barriers, allowing travelers to connect, navigate and explore more confidently, even when language is a challenge.”

While translation apps make travel easier and more accessible, they’re not foolproof. Subtle nuances, slang and cultural expressions can cause errors or misunderstandings. Experts recommend using them as helpful tools — not as a substitute for learning a few key local phrases.

Gaining popularity are real-time translation apps — which instantly translate spoken conversations. More than half of all respondents (54%) said they have used them during international travel. Women were slightly more likely than men to have tried real-time translation (55% versus 53%), while usage was lower among non-US travelers (51%) than US travelers (55%). Another 28% said they haven’t used real-time translation apps yet but plan to.

“The data show that travelers value tools that make communication easier, but adoption still varies,” Richards said. “Technology is closing the gap between languages, helping travelers feel safer, more independent and more engaged in their surroundings.”

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. 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.