NEWS

(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.

(Lebanon, NH – June 22, 2026) – Civilian trips to the moon may represent the most compelling vision of the future of extreme travel, especially following the successful Artemis mission, but such adventures remain a niche interest among travelers. According to new data from the Global Rescue Spring 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, lunar surface tourism ranks as the most appealing currently unavailable extreme travel experience, attracting just over 9% of respondents.

That modest level of interest underscores a broader reality: even the most ambitious and high-profile future travel concepts fail to generate widespread demand. Following lunar tourism, under-ice Arctic and Antarctic submersible expeditions rank second at 6%, alongside similar levels of interest in orbital hotels and stratospheric balloon voyages.

“Even the most imaginative and technologically advanced travel experiences are struggling to break beyond niche appeal,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies. “There’s curiosity, but not commitment.”

Despite these high-profile and often futuristic experiences, the dominant response is disinterest. Nearly two-thirds of travelers (63%) say they are not interested in any currently unavailable extreme travel experiences, reinforcing that these offerings remain niche rather than broadly appealing.

When looking at currently available extreme travel, interest improves slightly, but reluctance still dominates. Antarctic expedition trekking stands out as the clear leader, drawing 20% overall. Arctic polar bear trekking follows at 13% with Mount Everest climbing attracting limited interest overall (5%). Nearly half of travelers (45%) say they are not interested in any existing extreme experiences including running with the bulls of Pamplona, swimming with Great White Sharks, BASE Jumping and volcano boarding.

Among travelers aged 44 and younger, interest in extreme travel is notably higher—though still far from universal. For currently available experiences, Antarctic expedition trekking leads decisively at 29%, followed by Arctic polar bear trekking (19%) and climbing Mount Everest (12%). Notably, fewer younger travelers opt out entirely (23%) compared to the broader population, indicating a greater willingness to engage in physically demanding, remote adventures.

Interest in future extreme travel is even more pronounced among this younger cohort. Lunar tourism ranks as the top choice at nearly 20%, more than double the level seen in the overall survey, followed by volcano interior exploration (14%) and a range of emerging concepts including orbital hotels, deep-sea trench dives and stratospheric balloon voyages (each around 10%).

However, even among younger travelers, limits are clear. More than a quarter (27%) still say they are not interested in any currently unavailable extreme travel experiences, and the most extreme concepts, such as a one-way trip to Mars, attract minimal interest (2%).

Taken together, the data highlights a fundamental disconnect between the rapid expansion of extreme travel possibilities and the relatively narrow audience willing to pursue them.

“The industry is pushing boundaries, from space to the deep ocean, but most travelers are not following,” Richards said. “Extreme travel, whether available today or envisioned for the future, remains a niche market driven by a small subset of highly motivated individuals.”

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,100 current and former members between April 7–13, 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 – June 15, 2026) — Rising jet fuel prices, airline route reductions and higher airfares are fueling concern among international travelers, but destination safety remains the most important factor influencing travel decisions, according to the results of a new Global Rescue SNAP Survey.

Nearly seven in ten travelers (69.79%) reported they are either very concerned or somewhat concerned that global airline travel will become less reliable or less affordable as jet fuel prices rise and European airlines reduce flight schedules. Only 6.72% said they are less or much less concerned, while 22.30% reported no change in their level of concern.

The findings come amid reports of soaring jet fuel costs, widespread airline schedule reductions and warnings from aviation industry leaders that airfare increases are likely to continue if fuel market instability persists.

Despite growing concern over airline costs and reliability, destination safety remains the primary driver of international travel decisions.

More than half of travelers (55.31%) said destination safety is still more important to their travel plans than airline ticket costs or route reductions. However, more than one-quarter (26.81%) said both destination safety and airline costs are significant concerns, highlighting the increasingly complex risk calculations travelers are making. An additional 12.08% said airline ticket costs and route reductions are now a bigger deterrent to international travel than destination safety concerns.

“International travelers are facing a convergence of challenges that extends well beyond traditional safety concerns,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “Travelers are increasingly evaluating affordability, airline reliability, operational disruptions and destination safety simultaneously. The travel decision-making process has become far more complex than it was just a few years ago.”

The survey also found that, despite record-breaking heatwaves affecting parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, most travelers are not changing their international travel plans.

More than 71% of respondents said they have not modified their international travel because of extreme heatwaves. Only 4% reported modifying or canceling travel due to extreme heat.

“Travelers appear willing to adapt to environmental challenges rather than abandon travel altogether,” Richards said. “The data suggests experienced travelers continue to prioritize travel while adjusting expectations and managing risks as conditions evolve.”

About the Global Rescue SNAP Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 500 current and former members between June 2–8, 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. Since 2004, Global Rescue has provided field rescue, medical evacuation, security extraction and travel risk management services to individuals, enterprises and governments worldwide.