NEWS

(Lebanon, NH – September 21, 2026) — Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a mainstream travel planning tool in just three months, but experienced international travelers remain unwilling to let AI take control of their trips or accept its recommendations without verification, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

The survey found that 51% of travelers now expect to use AI in some capacity when planning international travel, 31% to narrow travel options and another 20% primarily for inspiration. That's a sharp increase from March, when only 36% expected to use AI for travel planning.

At the same time, the percentage of travelers who say they will not use AI at all has fallen dramatically, dropping from 36% in March to 26% today.

"The adoption curve has accelerated remarkably," 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. "In only three months, AI has moved from an emerging planning tool to something that a majority of experienced international travelers expect to use. But increased use should not be confused with increased trust. Travelers are embracing AI as an assistant, not an authority."

Unlike earlier in the year, when AI users primarily viewed the technology as a way to narrow choices, today's travelers are also turning to it for trip inspiration. Non-US-based travelers lead that trend, with 31% saying they will use AI mainly for inspiration compared with just 16% of US-based travelers.

US-based travelers, meanwhile, continue to be somewhat more likely to use AI as a decision-support tool to narrow travel options (32% versus 27%), although the gap has narrowed considerably since March, when US travelers were more than twice as likely as non-US travelers to use AI in that way (24% versus 11%).

The role of human advice also shifted significantly. In March, non-US travelers were considerably more likely than US travelers to rely primarily on human recommendations (31% versus 22%). Today, that relationship has reversed. Twenty-six percent of US-based travelers now say they rely mostly on human recommendations compared with only 15% of non-US-based travelers.

Despite growing acceptance of AI, trust remains carefully qualified.

Nearly 60% of travelers said they trust AI-generated travel information only after verifying it through other sources. Just 6% mostly trust AI without verification, and no respondent said they completely trust AI-generated information. One-quarter (25%) said they do not trust AI-generated travel information at all.

The survey also suggests travelers' caution is grounded in experience. More than one-quarter (27%) said they have encountered incorrect or outdated AI-generated travel information. Nearly one-quarter (24%) caught the mistake before traveling, while 3% said inaccurate AI information affected their travel plans.

"The data show travelers are learning how to work with AI rather than relying on it blindly," Richards said. "They're verifying recommendations, checking sources and applying their own judgment. That's exactly the right approach for international travel, where outdated visa rules, incorrect entry requirements or inaccurate safety information can have real consequences."

Travelers also remain unwilling to delegate travel decisions to artificial intelligence.

More than six in ten (61%) said they would not allow an AI assistant to automatically make travel-related decisions such as rebooking flights or changing itineraries. Only 11% would allow AI to act with their approval, while 20% said it would depend on the circumstances. Not a single respondent said they would allow AI to make travel decisions without human approval.

"Experienced travelers have drawn a clear line," Richards said. "AI can suggest destinations, compare itineraries and summarize information, but people still want the final say. International travel requires judgment, context and the ability to respond when conditions change—qualities that travelers continue to reserve for themselves."

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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 9, 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 - Sept 14, 2026) — More than one in five experienced international travelers (21%) say losing or having a smartphone, laptop or other device lost or stolen while abroad is their greatest travel technology concern, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. The finding underscores travelers' growing dependence on digital devices that now store nearly every aspect of an international trip, from passports and boarding passes to reservations, payment methods and emergency contacts.

"Today's traveler carries an entire trip inside a single device," 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 that device is lost, stolen or compromised, the disruption extends far beyond replacing a phone. Travelers can suddenly lose access to transportation, accommodations, financial accounts and critical communications when they need them most."

While device loss ranked as the leading concern overall, the survey revealed meaningful differences between US-based and non-US-based international travelers regarding other technology threats.

US-based travelers were significantly more concerned about malicious public Wi-Fi networks and "juice jacking" attacks at public charging stations, with 14% identifying that as their greatest worry compared with just 1% of non-US respondents. "Cybercriminals increasingly target travelers who connect to unsecured public networks or charging stations in airports, hotels and transportation hubs," Richards said. "Using a VPN, avoiding sensitive financial transactions on public Wi-Fi and carrying your own charging equipment are simple precautions that dramatically reduce digital risk."

US-based travelers (4%) were also more likely to worry about voltage and electrical plug incompatibilities damaging electronics, compared to 2% of non-US-based travelers.

Among non-US-based travelers, the leading concern after device loss or theft was corporate or banking security lockouts triggered by foreign IP addresses, nearly twice the level of concern compared to US-based travelers. Non-US-based travelers expressed greater concern than their US counterparts about device confiscation or digital border searches (12% vs. 8%); geographic blocking of essential apps, websites and search engines (11% vs. 9%); and failure of two-factor authentication (2FA) text messages while abroad (11% vs. 6%)

"As governments strengthen border inspections, financial institutions tighten fraud protections and cyber threats continue to evolve, international travelers need to think beyond physical safety," Richards said. "Preparing your digital life before departure—backing up devices, enabling secure authentication methods, notifying financial institutions of travel plans and carrying redundant access to critical information—is now an essential part of responsible international travel."

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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 – September 8, 2026) — The world's most experienced international travelers are sending a clear message about what motivates them to cross borders, and what doesn't. More than 40% say golf vacations, wellness escapes and yoga retreats are the least appealing reasons to travel internationally, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

The category overwhelmingly ranked last among all travel motivations, with 41% of respondents identifying golf and wellness travel as the least attractive reason to leave home. The next closest category—wine, vineyard, brewery and distillery tours, was selected by just 14%, followed by festivals, concerts and sporting events (12%).

By comparison, relatively few travelers dismissed outdoor adventure activities (5%), culinary travel (5%), museums and art (5%), beaches (4%), historical sites (3%) or nature and wildlife experiences (2%) as reasons to travel internationally.

"The world's most experienced travelers aren't looking for experiences they can find almost anywhere," 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're seeking destinations that offer adventure, extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, history and cultural immersion. International travel is about discovery, not simply relaxation."

The survey found remarkably little difference between US-based and non-US-based travelers. Forty-one percent of US-based travelers and 40% of non-US-based travelers ranked golf and wellness travel as their least appealing reason to travel abroad. Likewise, wine tourism ranked second among both groups, although US travelers were slightly more likely to dismiss it (15% versus 11%).

While travelers agree on what they don't want, their preferred reasons for international travel reveal a strong appetite for active, experience-driven journeys.

More than one-quarter (27%) say outdoor adventure activities, including hiking, skiing, diving and similar pursuits, are their primary reason for traveling internationally. Another 21% travel primarily for nature, wildlife and natural phenomena, while 15% choose destinations for historical sites, heritage travel and architecture.

Other motivations trail considerably. Only 4% primarily travel for museums and art, 3% for beaches, 3% to visit friends and family, 2% for culinary experiences, 1% for wine tourism and fewer than 1% for festivals or sporting events.

The survey also revealed one notable geographic distinction. Non-US-based travelers are substantially more likely to travel for outdoor adventure, with 38% identifying it as their primary motivation compared with 24% of US-based travelers. Conversely, US-based travelers are more likely to travel for historical sites, heritage travel and architecture (17% versus 8%). Interest in nature and wildlife experiences is nearly identical for both groups at about 21%.

"The findings reflect the continued rise of experiential travel," Richards said. "Experienced travelers increasingly measure the value of a trip by what they can do, learn and experience rather than by the amenities where they stay. Adventure, wildlife and history create lasting memories that can't be replicated at home."

Richards said the survey underscores a broader evolution in international travel preferences.

"The world's most experienced travelers generally aren't crossing oceans for a spa treatment or a round of golf," he said. "They're traveling to climb mountains, explore ancient civilizations, encounter wildlife and experience places that fundamentally differ from their everyday lives. Those are the journeys that continue to inspire international travel."

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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 – Sept. 1, 2026) — Competition for overhead bin space has become one of the defining frustrations of modern air travel, with more than three-quarters of the world’s most experienced international travelers saying that securing space for carry-on luggage has become more stressful in recent years, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

For experienced international travelers, the concern extends beyond convenience. Carry-on bags frequently contain prescription medications, passports, travel documents, electronics, valuables and clothing needed immediately upon arrival. Being forced to gate-check a carry-on can create serious complications, particularly during international journeys involving multiple flights, tight connections or delays. If the bag is misdirected, replacing essential items may be difficult.

“Losing access to a critical medication can quickly become more than a travel inconvenience,” 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. “Travelers should keep essential prescriptions in their personal item, carry enough medication for unexpected delays and bring copies of prescriptions or supporting medical documentation when appropriate.”

Overall, 76% of experienced international travelers totally or somewhat agree that finding overhead bin space has become more stressful. Just 18% disagree, while 6% say the question is not applicable.

“The race for overhead bin space has become an unfortunate ritual of modern air travel,” Richards said. “For many travelers, boarding the aircraft isn’t just about finding their seat anymore. It’s about finding a place for the bag that contains everything they need during the flight and, perhaps, for the entire trip.”

The concern begins before passengers board the aircraft. Thirty-one percent of travelers say they are always or often concerned about finding available overhead bin space for their carry-on luggage. Another 27% are sometimes concerned, meaning 58% worry about overhead bin availability at least some of the time. Only 42% say they are rarely or never concerned.

“The concern isn’t simply whether your suitcase fits,” Richards added. “It’s whether you’ll have immediate access to essential medications, electronics, business materials and travel documents if the overhead bins fill before you reach your row. Experienced travelers think carefully about what goes into their carry-on and what must remain with them at all times.”

The findings reflect broader changes in airline travel. Checked baggage fees, fuller flights, tighter boarding schedules and travelers’ desire to avoid lost luggage have encouraged more passengers to maximize their carry-on allowances. The result is greater competition for limited cabin storage and increased anxiety during boarding.

The survey also reinforces another lesson seasoned travelers have learned over time: Packing efficiently improves nearly every aspect of the travel experience. Travelers who bring smaller, lighter carry-on bags move through airports more quickly, navigate flight connections more easily, and reduce the likelihood that their luggage will need to be gate-checked.

Richards recommends that travelers review airline carry-on size restrictions before departure, board as early as their ticket or status permits and consolidate personal items whenever possible. Travelers should also keep medications, passports, electronics, travel documents and other essentials in a smaller bag that can fit beneath the seat should gate-checking become unavoidable.

“While travelers can’t control how full a flight will be; they can control how prepared they are,” Richards said. “Packing thoughtfully, protecting access to essential medications, keeping critical items within reach and planning for the possibility of a gate-checked bag can eliminate much of the stress before the aircraft door even closes.”

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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 and 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.