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(Lebanon, NH – July 27, 2026) — Nearly 44% of experienced international travelers are at least somewhat concerned that natural disasters will impact their future travel plans, reflecting a growing awareness that extreme weather and geological events have become a routine travel risk. Their concerns are reinforced by experience: one-third (33%) report they have already had an international trip disrupted by wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other natural disasters, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

"Natural disasters have become an expected possibility of international travel planning rather than a remote one," 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. "When one out of every three experienced travelers has already had a trip disrupted by a wildfire, hurricane, earthquake or volcanic eruption, it's understandable that many now factor these risks into every stage of planning."

Among all respondents, 44% are extremely, very or somewhat concerned about natural disasters affecting future travel, while 33% are slightly concerned and 23% are not concerned.

US-based travelers are somewhat less concerned than their international counterparts. Among US-based travelers, 43% are at least somewhat concerned, 34% are slightly concerned and 23% are not concerned. Among non-US-based travelers, 48% are at least somewhat concerned, 30% are slightly concerned and 22% are not concerned.

Unlike many travel risks, natural disasters can emerge with little warning and rapidly shut down airports, close roads, interrupt communications and overwhelm local emergency services. Recent years have brought increasingly frequent travel disruptions from wildfires across Southern Europe and North America, hurricanes throughout the Caribbean, volcanic eruptions in Iceland and Indonesia and major earthquakes in popular international destinations.

"Travelers can no longer assume their destination will operate normally simply because conditions were fine when they booked," Richards said. "Preparation means monitoring conditions before departure, building flexibility into itineraries and having access to professional assistance if circumstances change."

Travelers should monitor weather forecasts and official advisories before departure, consider flexible travel arrangements where possible, maintain emergency communications and ensure they have access to medical, security and evacuation resources if local infrastructure becomes compromised.

"Preparation is what separates a travel disruption from a travel crisis," Richards added. "Experienced travelers recognize that while they can't prevent natural disasters, they can prepare for them."

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.

(Lebanon, NH – July 20, 2026) — Despite persistent increases in airfare, hotel rates and other travel expenses, the world's most experienced international travelers are continuing to travel abroad with relatively few changes to their plans, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

More than 7 in 10 travelers (71%) said higher travel costs have not changed their international travel plans. Among US-based travelers, 73% reported costs have not altered their plans, compared with 65% of non-US-based travelers.

When travelers did adjust their plans, the most common response was reducing time spent at their destination rather than canceling or postponing travel. Overall, 16% said they reduced activities or discretionary spending, 6% postponed a trip, 5% chose a less expensive destination and 2% shortened their trip.

Non-US-based travelers were more likely than US-based travelers to seek lower-cost destinations (9% versus 4%) and were slightly more likely to reduce spending (17% versus 15%) or shorten their trips (3% versus 2%).

"The survey shows experienced international travelers remain committed to seeing the world even as costs continue to rise," 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. "Rather than canceling trips, they're making thoughtful adjustments that preserve the experience while controlling discretionary spending."

Travelers overwhelmingly identified airfare as the expense that increased the most over the past year, cited by 77% of respondents. Hotel and accommodation costs ranked second at 47%, followed by food and dining (40%), travel insurance (22%), tours and activities (19%), baggage fees (16%) and ground transportation (14%).

Although airfare increases were reported at nearly identical rates by US-based and non-US-based travelers (78% and 77%, respectively), notable differences emerged elsewhere. Non-US travelers were considerably more likely to report higher hotel and accommodation costs (60% versus 44% among US travelers) and increased food and dining expenses (45% versus 38%). US-based travelers reported slightly higher increases in baggage fees (16% versus 14%) and tours and activities (18% versus 17%).

"Airfare has become the great equalizer, nearly everyone feels those increases regardless of where they live," Richards said. "But once travelers arrive, local costs vary significantly by destination, exchange rates and regional inflation, which helps explain why non-US travelers are reporting sharper increases in lodging and dining."

Richards said the findings reflect a broader shift in traveler behavior. Rather than abandoning international travel, experienced travelers are becoming more strategic by booking earlier, seeking greater value and trimming optional expenses instead of sacrificing the trip itself.

"International travel remains a priority for these travelers because they recognize its personal and professional value," he said. "They're adapting their budgets, not giving up their plans. That's a sign of resilience and careful planning, not reduced interest in exploring the world."

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.

(Lebanon, NH – July 13, 2026) — Experienced international travelers overwhelmingly choose clothing based on the practical demands of their trip rather than trying to disguise themselves as locals, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. But experts say what travelers wear, and how they behave, can influence both their safety and the quality of their travel experience.

The survey found that 54% of international travelers dress primarily to meet the practical needs of their trip, whether for sightseeing, outdoor adventures, business, nightlife or other activities. Another 25% intentionally dress to blend in and avoid calling attention to themselves, while 13% prioritize minimizing luggage by packing light. Just 5% say they dress exclusively to respect local customs and avoid unnecessary attention as a demonstration of cultural appreciation.

The responses were remarkably similar between US-based and non-US-based travelers. Among US-based respondents, 53% prioritize practicality, compared with 58% of non-US travelers. US-based travelers were slightly more likely to dress to blend in (26% versus 22%), while both groups reported nearly identical preferences for minimizing luggage (13% US, 14% non-US) and dressing primarily to respect local customs (5% US, 4% non-US).

"Experienced travelers know there's no universal travel uniform," 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. "The goal isn't to disguise yourself as a local. It's to dress appropriately for your destination, your activities and the local culture while avoiding unnecessary attention."

The findings reinforce a long-standing lesson of international travel: first impressions matter. Travelers who stand out because of their clothing or behavior may unintentionally signal that they are unfamiliar with local customs, making them more noticeable to scammers, pickpockets and opportunistic criminals.

"No one should have to hide who they are, but travelers should recognize that clothing communicates," Richards said. "Respecting local customs and avoiding overtly touristy behavior demonstrates cultural awareness, helps build positive interactions with residents and can reduce your security profile."

Global Rescue security experts recommend travelers research local dress norms before departure, particularly in countries with conservative social or religious customs. Clothing that is considered routine at home may be viewed as disrespectful or provocative elsewhere.

Simple adjustments can also help travelers avoid unnecessary attention. Experts recommend wearing muted rather than flashy clothing, limiting expensive jewelry, carrying smaller cross-body bags instead of oversized backpacks and avoiding clothing with political slogans, national flags, profanity or potentially offensive imagery. Understanding local etiquette—from tipping customs to appropriate gestures and public behavior—can also help travelers avoid unintentionally offending residents.

"Blending in isn't about pretending to be someone you're not," Richards said. "It's about demonstrating respect for the people and culture you're visiting. Travelers who prepare ahead, observe local customs and dress appropriately often have richer experiences and fewer problems."

For experienced travelers, dressing for success abroad means balancing practicality with cultural awareness, a combination that can make international travel safer, smoother and more rewarding.

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.

(Lebanon, NH – July 8, 2026) — Despite another summer marked by record-breaking temperatures and increasingly severe weather events worldwide, most experienced international travelers are not overly concerned about extreme heat or weather-related health risks when planning trips abroad, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

The survey found that only 12% of respondents are extremely or very concerned about extreme heat and weather-related health risks while traveling internationally. In contrast, 52% are somewhat or slightly concerned, while 36% report they are not concerned at all.

The findings were remarkably consistent between US-based and non-US-based travelers. Among US-based respondents, 13% were extremely or very concerned, 51% were somewhat or slightly concerned and 36% were not concerned. Among non-US-based travelers, 10% expressed high concern, 58% were somewhat or slightly concerned and 32% said they were not concerned.

"Experienced international travelers understand that unpredictable weather changes are one of many travel risks that can be managed with preparation," said Jeff Weinstein, a paramedic and a medical operations manager for Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. "They recognize that staying hydrated, adjusting itineraries and understanding local conditions significantly reduce the likelihood of heat-related illness."

While relatively few international travelers identify extreme heat as a significant health concern, 27% say access to quality medical care is their top health worry while traveling abroad. Foodborne illness ranked second at 17%, followed closely by injuries from accidents (16%) and infectious diseases (14%). Medical evacuation needs were identified by 12% of respondents, while only 3% cited heat-related illness as their greatest health concern.

US-based travelers placed even greater emphasis on access to quality medical care, with 28% identifying it as their primary concern compared with 20% of non-US-based travelers. Conversely, non-US travelers were substantially more concerned about high medical costs (8%) than US-based travelers (2%), and were also more likely to identify medical evacuation needs as their leading concern (15% versus 11%).

"The survey suggests experienced travelers aren't dismissing extreme weather, they're putting it into context," Weinstein said. "Their greatest concern isn't necessarily avoiding every risk. It's knowing they'll have access to quality medical care and, if necessary, medical evacuation should something serious occur."

Weinstein noted that rising global temperatures still require travelers to take practical precautions.

"Heat waves are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and affecting destinations that historically experienced milder summers," he said. "Travelers should monitor weather forecasts, recognize the early signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, remain hydrated, avoid strenuous activities during peak afternoon temperatures and understand where medical care is available before they need it."

With climate-related disruptions becoming increasingly common, Weinstein said preparation remains the best defense.

"International travelers routinely prepare for passport requirements, security risks and transportation disruptions," he said. "Extreme weather deserves the same level of planning. A few simple precautions can prevent a medical emergency from becoming a trip-ending event."

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.