NEWS

(Lebanon, N.H. – August 16, 2023) Loud, rude conduct and disrespectful or entitled behavior by tourists while visiting another country are the leading characteristics that infuriate the world’s most experienced travelers, according to the summer 2023 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

“Global tourism is on track to rise by 30% in 2023 as travelers make up for lost time due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions. Unfortunately, a few travelers may have forgotten their manners in their post-pandemic travel exuberance. If so, then I hope they remember them soon,” 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.

An important part of travel is the responsibility each traveler bears at every destination. Are you dressed inoffensively? Is your behavior appropriate for the region? How you present yourself in foreign localities reflects on your homeland, but it also stirs reactions from the local population that could be helpful or provocative.

According to the survey, the worst tourist conduct observed by other global travelers was being too loud (27%). In second place, 26% of respondents reported that travelers’ unwillingness to try local cuisine or follow local social customs was the most infuriating behavior. The third most disappointing trait (18%) was the expectation that destination residents speak the same language as the traveler. Fewer than 10% of respondents said tourists who wear revealing, offensive or shabby clothing were the most exasperating.

“When you’re visiting a new country, it’s essential to respect the local culture and customs. Behaving like a tourist can be seen as disrespectful and offensive to locals. Travelers should do the research to know and understand the little things about the customs and culture of your destination,” said Harding Bush, a senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue.

Looking and acting like a tourist can produce assumptions that you are inexperienced, naive, lacking cultural awareness, and wealthy. “Standing out as a tourist can make you appear vulnerable and an easy target for scams, pickpockets and other types of crime. By blending in you reduce the risk of local criminals or scam artists spotting you as a foreign traveler and targeting you for fraudulent schemes or petty crimes,” Bush said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – August 15, 2023) The Global Rescue security operations team supported several members during the Maui wildfire, including helping a California family get to safety during the deadly disaster in Lahaina, Hawaii. “The wildfire was spreading rapidly due to high winds and power was lost throughout the region,” said Adam Bardwell, a security operations manager for Global Rescue, a corporate travel risk and crisis management firm.

The member and his family safely reached Kapalua Airport where communication service remained temporarily intact, but the flights were stalled due to the dangerous conditions. The member contacted Global Rescue security operations seeking potentially life-saving advice.

“Due to the uncertainty on the ground, the Global Rescue security operations team relayed a rapid action plan with multiple escape contingencies that included evacuation options via land, sea, and air. We advised the member to drive immediately to Kahului Airport along route 340 if it remained open and clear, and board a flight off Maui to the island of Oahu,” Bardwell said.

At that point, communications were cut off but not before the member received Global Rescue’s list of alternate evacuation options which included an air evacuation from a small airfield via a chartered aircraft if Route 340 to the Kahului Airport was impassable and a boat transport capable of landing on the Maui shore to evacuate personnel and then returning to a nearby fishing vessel at sea. Helicopter transport out of the area was unavailable due to high winds that had grounded rotary wing aircraft. “If all airlift plans were unsuccessful, Global Rescue had pre-arranged for a zodiac boat transport capable of launching off Maui from the beach to a fishing vessel at sea,” Bardwell said.

Inadequate communications services on Maui during the disaster hindered overall safety and contributed to confusion. Thousands of people on Maui lost cellphone service because of the wildfires and, combined with the loss of 911 emergency services and officials failing to activate the state’s outdoor siren warning system, exacerbated.

Bardwell suggests travelers carry a satellite messaging system. “If you’re going to a place that has limited exits and limited cellphone service, the satellite communicator is absolutely necessary,” said Bardwell. “It doesn’t matter where you are, you have to be able to make the call for help.”

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About Global Rescue   

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – August 7, 2023) Incidents of misbehaving airline passengers remain high, according to the International Air Transport Association. Some aviation experts say many customers have most likely lost patience with airlines over widespread delays and cancellations in recent years. The world’s most experienced travelers overwhelmingly (51%) advised that individuals stranded overnight at the airport should rest, relax and try to sleep, according to the summer 2023 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Seventeen percent of respondents added that the next best thing to do when stranded overnight at the airport is to take a lively walk for a few minutes every hour.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation airlines cancelled 1.7% of domestic U.S. flights over the first three months of 2023. While that is much lower than the 2.7% flight cancellation rate for all of 2022, it still leaves nearly 30,000 aircraft on the tarmac due to cancellation.

“Global tourism is on track to rise by 30% in 2023 as travelers make up for lost time due to pandemic-related travel restrictions,” 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. “Unfortunately, recurring flight delays and cancellations are disrupting highly anticipated post-pandemic trip plans. It’s understandably frustrating travelers, but I hope a combination of traveler patience and travel industry recovery combine to return global tourism to normal levels.”

Nearly half of the survey respondents (48%) reported the most important thing they would do if their flight was cancelled, no hotels were available, and they had to spend the night at the airport would be to check for airport lounges or sleeping pods that they could rent for the night or a few hours.

“I was at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris facing a flight delay. No one knew how long it would be. I found a sleeping pod to use,” said Meghan Mahoney, a Global Rescue director and avid international traveler. The pod had a bed, desk and chair, and a noise cancellation system. “It was totally private so I could nap in comfort or work. And since I was still at the airport, I could regularly check flight status. The pod was worth every penny for the several hours I needed,” she said.

Sixteen percent said obtaining snacks and water before the airport shops close was essential while 11% believed fully charging their electronic devices was most important along with carrying an in-ear or over-ear headset to cancel out external noise or play calming music. Maintaining situational awareness is essential for personal safety and flight updates. “As a solo female traveler, I never cover more than one ear with a headphone so I can remain audibly aware of my surroundings,” said Josie Daigle, the Global Rescue social media manager.

Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – July 31, 2023) Traveler fears are dwindling at the same time many are hoping to plan trips to countries currently listed by the U.S. Department of State as Level 3 – Reconsider Travel. As the travel rebound continues, traveler worries are shifting dramatically, and their appetite for exploring the world is increasing,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies. 

Traveler concerns about civil unrest and terrorism decreased by half in the last six months, withering from 14% to 7% since January 2023, according to the results of the summer 2023 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Apprehension about COVID exposure and infection while traveling has dramatically dropped at a rate of 88%, down to 4% compared to 33% in August 2022.  

Nearly half (48%) of the world’s most experienced travelers claim their greatest anxiety is having an injury or accident followed by trip cancellation (13%). Yet, despite that, travelers are increasingly interested in visiting new destinations outside of the traditional ones.  

Before the pandemic, people were more content with traditional tourist attractions. Viewing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and taking a River Seine cruise in Paris, visiting India’s Taj Mahal, or soaking up the sun on the Guanabara Bay, Rio De Janeiro, during Carnival, were historically go-to vacation activities. But now, tourists have a growing enthusiasm for places beyond the traditional, some of which are risky. 

The U.S. Department of State issues a travel advisory for every country and rates them on a risk scale from 1 to 4. A country with a Level 4 designation carries a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. A Level 1 travel advisory is the lowest level for safety and security and advises travelers to exercise normal precautions. Travelers going to countries with a Level 2 advisory are encouraged to exercise increased caution due to heightened risks to safety and security.  

The countries listed by U.S. officials as Level 3 are the destinations where government officials advise people to reconsider and avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. Among the list of 20 countries with a Level 3 travel advisory, Egypt, Colombia, China and Hong Kong are the top four destinations the world’s most experienced travelers want to visit. Nigeria, El Salvador, Cote d’Ivoire and Niger were the least desirous places, according to the survey. 

“The desire and willingness to travel to less touristy destinations are how many travelers will avoid the crowds associated with the post-pandemic travel rebound,” Richards said. “Before COVID, people were content with traditional tourist destinations. But now, places that are less accessible and a little more risky are gaining interest.” 

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.  

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey   

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.  

About Global Rescue   

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – July 26, 2023) Travelers are planning multiple trips in 2023, according to the summer 2023 Global Rescue Travelers Sentiment and Safety Survey. “Half of the world’s most experienced travelers are planning four or more trips this year, and they’re using credit card reward points to help pay for them,” 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.

A fifth of respondents are planning six or more trips in 2023, another 31% will take four-to-five leisure trips, and 41% said they would take two-to-three vacations. Only seven percent said they would take a single trip and one percent reported they would not take any leisure trips in 2023.

With inflation and the rising cost of travel, it’s no surprise that most respondents (64%) reported using credit card reward programs to offset leisure trips and vacation expenses.

Travelers are catching up on lost trip opportunities due to the pandemic. Demand for adventure tourism has shot up since COVID-19 with African safaris, hiking trips, camping excursions and motorcycle tours experiencing the fastest growth. But, there’s a limit to the risks travelers are willing to take, according to the survey.

The overwhelming majority of respondents (75%) would decline space tourism, even if they could afford the half-a-million-dollar cost for a few minutes of weightlessness. When it comes to undersea adventure tourism, 65% of respondents said they would take part in snorkeling or scuba diving tours of reefs, underwater caves, marine life and shipwrecks. Only 5% would stay at an undersea hotel or dine at an underwater restaurant. Less than 2% would sign up for a deep-sea tour in a submarine.

“Travelers are demonstrating a growing desire for authentic experiences in an increasingly globalized and connected world,” Richards said. “While pent-up demand is playing a role in the adventure travel boom, we don’t expect to see it subside anytime soon.”

As more people return to travel and plan multiple trips, most (61%) are traveling with a guide, an outfitter or an expedition organization in 2023. “Respondents consistently indicated they include on-the-ground experts on their trips to reap the benefits of their local language skills, cultural knowledge, touring efficiency and overall safety,” said Matt Aubin, associate director of Global Rescue partner and channel programs.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – June 6, 2023) Travelers are casting off on cruise ships in record numbers, surpassing 2019 levels and breaking sales records. Part of the comeback is due to revenge travel, but smaller ship sizes and access to new, remote destinations are important factors attracting passengers.

“Cruises are back on the travel list. Forty percent of respondents have already taken a cruise since the pandemic started or, if they haven’t, they plan to in 2023,” said Michael Holmes, vice president of marketing for Global Rescue, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.

Smaller cruise ships are rising in popularity. Industry experts expect the number of smaller cruise ships to double by 2030, according to reports. The Global Rescue Spring 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey revealed that people taking cruises prefer smaller ships when it comes to vessel size.

Half of cruising respondents (50%) will set sail in small ship cruisers that have a capacity of fewer than 800 passengers. Only 11% of respondents who plan to take cruises this year selected mega-ships with a capacity greater than 3,500 passengers. Seventeen percent of cruising respondents prefer small-midsized ships (800 to 1,499 passengers), followed by a fifth of cruise enthusiasts (20%) who favor midsized ships (1,500 to 2,500 passengers), while an equal percentage choose large ships (2,500 to 3,500 passengers).

“Smaller cruise ships are easier to maneuver and have greater port access compared to mega-cruise ships. The smaller capacity ships open up river cruising, visiting tucked-away harbors, exotic locales, pristine beaches and remote places or ports where larger ships can’t reach,” Holmes said.

The Global Rescue survey revealed that the cruise destination preferences among the world’s most experienced travelers include tropical cruises (21%), glacier excursions (14%) and fjord journeys (12%). River, transocean, fall foliage and Panama Canal voyages rounded out the top seven types of cruises travelers have planned for 2023.

Survey respondents are shrugging off the impacts of inflation and predictions of a possible recession. According to the Global Rescue survey, nearly half of the respondents (45%) are planning to absorb the higher travel costs without skimping.

As travelers return to cruising, their concerns are changing, too. Traveler fears of COVID have plummeted, according to the Global Rescue survey. The greatest anxiety among the world’s most experienced travelers who cruise is having an injury or illness unrelated to COVID.

“While confidence to cruise has returned, travelers must remember that access to medical help for an illness or injury during travel at sea is limited. Health safety resources on board a cruise ship are similar to a health center – but it’s not a hospital,” said Jeff Weinstein, a paramedic and an associate manager of medical operations for Global Rescue.

Serious medical emergencies aboard cruise ships that are beyond the capabilities of the onboard medical team require transportation of the individual to a higher-quality medical facility – either by making port or calling a helicopter for an airborne rescue.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,700 of its current and former members between April 25-30, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – May 31, 2023) Travelers returning to trips following the pandemic are taking longer vacations, making plans on their own and taking new lessons with them. According to the Global Rescue Spring 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, one out of four of the world’s most experienced travelers will take longer trips in 2023 than in the past. Less than 10% of respondents said they would take shorter trips while the majority (65%) said their trips will be about the same as in the past, neither shorter nor longer.  
 

“Travelers are making up for lost time due to the pandemic. Despite higher prices and flight disruptions, people are not only scheduling trips for 2023 but many are planning longer ones,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 
 

Travelers revealed their biggest bungles and lessons learned when traveling. More than a third of respondents (35.18%) said overpacking was their biggest travel mistake. Overpacking is a persistent traveler mistake, but the improvement has been substantial since COVID-19. In February 2020, immediately before the pandemic, three-out-of-four respondents said overpacking was the biggest mistake travelers make.  
 

Harding Bush, senior manager of operations at Global Rescue, advises travelers to “pack light, and buy what you need there.” Pat Pendergast, The Fly Shop’s director of international travel, suggests travelers “make a list of all the items you packed but never used and then use that list to guide how you pack for future trips.” 
 

Failing to plan free time in a travel itinerary is the second biggest mistake among travelers, although, like overpacking, improvement since the pandemic is striking. According to the survey results, 28% of respondents said not planning and scheduling free time was their second biggest mistake. Three years ago, before the pandemic, 40% of respondents admitted to creating ambitious itineraries that did not include free time.  
 

The third biggest mistake listed among travelers is assuming that the laws of your country travel with you. Eleven percent noted this as a lesson all travelers should know. “The laws of your home country don’t travel with you. That’s why knowing the local laws of the destination(s) is critical before traveling,” Richards said. 
 

As more people return to travel, most of them are relying on a mix of resources to plan their itineraries. Less than a fifth of respondents (17%) use a travel agent. Only three percent use full-service, one-stop online resources – like Kayak, Expedia and Travelocity – for flights, hotels and auto rentals. Nearly a third of respondents (31%) use multiple online resources for each part of a trip. The majority of travelers (46%) do it by themselves with a mix of direct phone calls, online resources and email. 
 

“Travelers are increasingly looking for travel customization at every level from the moment they leave home until they return. At the same time, the pandemic pushed people to become more reliant on online services. The combination of those two factors has driven travelers to do more self-guided travel planning,” Richards said. 

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information. 
 

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey  
 

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,700 of its current and former members between April 25-30, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel. 
 

About Global Rescue  
 

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – May 23, 2023) Business travel is predicted to surge and bleisure travel has taken off, according to the Global Rescue Spring 2023 Travelers Sentiment and Safety Survey. Seventy percent of business travelers responding say their work-related travel will match or exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2023. The majority of business travelers taking the survey (65%) will include bleisure travel, adding extra days to their business trip for personal or leisure activities.  

More than half of responding business travelers (55%) will travel both domestically and internationally for business compared to a year ago when nearly three-out-of-four respondents (72%) had not traveled abroad for business or did not have plans to do so.  

“The business traveler mindset has changed, and employer attitudes have shifted, too. Face-to-face meetings are more effective at establishing and maintaining relationships than virtual meetings. It’s no surprise that domestic and international work-related travel is rising along with bleisure travel,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. 

As business travel increases, so do the challenges facing employers, especially following the pandemic and the rise of remote work. “The biggest management challenge in this evolving environment will be how duty of care plays a role in protecting a location-independent workforce. They have to ask themselves if a set of rules or policies designed to maintain their health, safety and well-being while working is in place,” Richards said. 

The overwhelming majority of business travelers surveyed (72%) say they do not have or do not know if they have a duty of care policy in place. The majority of the 28% of business travelers who say they have duty of care provisions in place have trouble listing what the plan includes. More than half say their policy includes pre-trip destination planning and health alerts. However, fewer than half say security, travel tracking and alerts were available during the trip. 

“Corporate leaders carry a duty of care responsibility to their employees, to take care of them and avoid exposing them to any unnecessary or undue risk. As more workers become location-independent and include bleisure in their business travel trips, the more the firm’s duty of care policies must evolve,” Richards said.  

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information. 

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey  

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,700 of its current and former members between April 25-30, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel. 

About Global Rescue  

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. (May 5, 2023) – Kristin Harila, the Norwegian XC skier-turned-mountaineer extraordinaire and Global Rescue Mountain Advisory Council member became the fastest woman to climb all 14 mountains above 8000 meters this week after summiting Cho Oyu. Harila topped the previous record set by Spanish climber Edurne Pasaban in 2010.

“Congratulations to Harila and her ongoing achievements in mountaineering. Her record-breaking history of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, talent and love of mountaineering is an example for all of us. She is an extraordinarily gifted, focused and spirited athlete and will undoubtedly continue to set new records and bring about fresh innovations to a fast-growing sport,” said Dan Richards, the CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, which has provided Harila with field rescue and medical evacuation protection since 2021.

Harila has a bigger record-breaking plan on her mind. In the spring of 2022, she set out to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000 meter (26,247 feet) and higher peaks in less than 189 days – and breaking the record held by Nims Purja, a Global Rescue Mountain Advisory Council member. Harila was six months in and two summits away from making history when the Chinese government’s strict zero-COVID policy forced her to stop.

Undaunted, Harila set out in April 2023 for her second attempt to break the speed record. This time she started her attempt in Tibet to mitigate the risk of a repeat of last year’s issues with the Chinese government. Her recent Cho Oyu summit and her April 26th summit of Shishapangma complete Harila’s climbs in Tibet, an autonomous region of China. Harila will now attempt to climb the remaining 12 mountains before the end of October 2023.

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For more information contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560.1195.

About Global Rescue   
The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – May 3, 2023) Despite forecasts of a declining economy and a potential slide into a full-blown recession, travelers overwhelmingly are keeping their itineraries for international and domestic trips this year, according to the recent Global Rescue Spring 2023Travelers Sentiment and Safety Survey of the world’s most experienced travelers.

More than three-quarters (76%) of travelers said predictions of a recession have not caused them to cancel or postpone international travel in 2023. Only four percent of respondents stated that expectations of an economic recession compelled them to call off or reschedule an upcoming trip abroad.

Travelers are skirting economic projections from financial professionals signaling the U.S. economy is headed for a recession. “Whether travelers disbelieve an economic slowdown is looming or adopted a post-pandemic determination to travel while they can, they are brushing aside recession hesitation and keeping their plans to travel internationally,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Adventure trips (35%) are the leading kind of travel respondents are planning for 2023, followed by fishing trips (29%), beach getaways (27%) and hiking excursions (24%). Two-thirds (66%) of respondents revealed they plan to travel to destinations where they have never been. Africa led all destinations chosen by respondents, followed by Italy, Alaska, Spain and Iceland.

Traveler concerns about trip disruption continue to shift away from pandemic-related worries. Having an injury or illness (47%) is the overwhelming fear among respondents followed distantly by civil unrest (13%), trip cancellation (11%), and losing important things like a passport, wallet or purse (9%).

Most will travel as a couple (45%) while another quarter (26%) will journey with family or a group of friends. Solo travelers comprise 23% of those making an international trip.

Since the pandemic, the travel landscape has shifted. “Whether you’re taking a trip alone or with others obtaining additional precautions – like emergency medical and security evacuation protection – are essential,” Richards said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey 

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,600 of its current and former members between April 25-30, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue 

The Global Rescue Companies are 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 provided medical and security support to its 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 – April 24, 2023 – Former Navy SEALs and other military special forces veterans are actively assisting and coordinating extractions for travelers caught in war-torn Sudan. Security operations experts for Global Rescue, the leading security and medical evacuation and travel risk management services company, are in direct contact with stranded travelers.  

Global Rescue coordinated the maritime extraction of several people to Egypt, a 600-mile journey along the Red Sea. “We moved quickly to advise people in Port Sudan to depart the country immediately. We successfully extracted multiple western tourists from the region, who were initially reluctant to leave. They were advised to depart at once, before the fighting spread to Port Sudan- at which time movement would be nearly impossible,” said Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and the senior manager of security operations for Global Rescue.  

“People in Sudan were advised to shelter-in –place as street fighting and attacks on the airport are preventing the use of overland and aviation departures. We’re tracking their movements and providing immediate security advisory services throughout the ordeal,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.    

Travelers in the region for leisure and business were suddenly trapped when widespread fighting erupted between warring factions and quickly spread to the capital city and the airport, shutting down flights in and out. Bush and his Global Rescue team of former military special forces veterans are experts in medical and security operations. They are providing extensive logistic, rescue, extraction and advisory services and guidance where needed for people trapped in areas where fighting is present and other areas of Sudan. 

“The two rival Sudanese armies are driving the country toward a full-blown civil war. Sudan and adjacent regions are unpredictable and potentially more dangerous. While the U.S. and European embassies are evacuating staff, American and European business and leisure travelers are at tremendous risk of being left behind if they do not have access to professional assistance,” Richards said.   

When Russia invaded Ukraine, travelers quickly learned they needed to add emergency evacuation plans that include the ability to extract clients from a country if conditions become dangerous. “We see similar scenarios playing out in Sudan,” Richards said. 

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.   

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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – April 6, 2023 – The full impact of a deadly avalanche striking a Himalayan mountain pass in northeast India this week is unknown but rescue operations for climbers and trekkers affected by the snow slide continue. “Avalanches are one of the deadliest things that can happen on a mountain, and they’re one of the greatest risks a climber or trekker can face,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “Preparing for them is a key element of the Global Rescue operations team activity before every deployment to the Himalayas.”   

Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of field rescue and medical evacuation services, has medical and rescue experts for on-the-ground rescue operations in Nepal – nearly 300 mi/476 km from the site of this recent avalance. . 

Rescue operations after a major snow slide are inherently more dangerous since the chance of further avalanches is elevated, according to Dan Stretch, a Global Rescue operations manager who is based in Nepal during the Mount Everest climbing season and has coordinated hundreds of evacuations and crisis response operations.  

“Additional avalanche risk is a factor. We have to determine the safety for a ground or airborne rescue that will take place where we know the snow and ice are unstable. Avalanches can make the terrain around climbers and trekkers less accessible to rescuers. We receive reports from local expedition groups. Beacon technology helps recover climbers trapped in the snow. Everyone works together,” Stretch said.  

Avalanche forecasting provides up-to-date avalanche conditions, but it’s not as reliable as weather predictions. Climbers communicate with their expedition provider to make them aware of the avalanche risk during a climb. Ascents and descents are attempted during the time of day when avalanche risk is lowest. Whenever possible, mountaineers typically carry an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel when they start their expedition,” Stretch said. 

In October 2022, a massive avalanche swept down Mount Manaslu, striking the mountain’s base camp. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Later that day, another avalanche on the same mountain tragically took the life of a Nepali guide. A few days later, a deadly avalanche struck a group of mountaineers training on Mount Draupadi ka Danda II.   

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.       

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 provided medical and security support to its 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 – March 21, 2023 – Despite growing fears of civil unrest, millions of people are expected to visit Jerusalem this year as part of a religious pilgrimage or religious tourism to the Holy Land. The biggest risk of traveling to Jerusalem during the spring holidays is the sheer number of people.  

“Like any other place teeming with people, crowds can make it challenging to move around the city. There’s no avoiding large gatherings. They’re just part of the deal. Avoid them when you can, embrace them when you can’t, with caution,” said Kent Webber, senior manager, Intelligence Products & Services at Global Rescue. “Crowds also increase the risk of pickpocketing, car theft, identity theft, and other crimes.”  

One of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem attracts roughly 1.5 million Jews, Muslims, and Christians combined each spring, whose pilgrimage during the Passover, Ramadan, and Easter holidays, accounts for a 55% increase in the city’s year-round population of 970,000 residents.   

Travelers flocking to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchr, the Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount, or elsewhere throughout the city during these religious holidays should follow five guidelines to minimize risk.  

First, visit popular attractions during off-peak hours to thwart would-be pickpockets. Harding Bush, senior manager of Security Operations at Global Rescue, advises travelers to wear clothing with zippered pockets or pockets on the inside, like a vest or a sport coat, that make it difficult to snatch a wallet. Also, leave that expensive watch back home. To foil identity thieves, travelers should hide things with their names, phone numbers and addresses on them. No exposed luggage tags.  

Next, monitor local activities. Exploring one of the most deeply divided and contested areas in the world during the spring holidays heightens tensions. “Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza without warning,” according to the U.S. Department of State. Escalating violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank has been reported in recent weeks. Travelers should register with their country’s embassy and sign up for alerts and advisories. American citizens in Israel, for example, should join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive emails and text messages from the United States Embassy in the event of emergencies in the area.  

Third, expect traffic and plan around it. Expect delays and, perhaps, the inability to access certain areas. Hiring a local professional driver will help streamline your adventures and get you around some of the congestion. “Driving a vehicle in a foreign country is a high-risk activity. Always hire a local driver who knows the area. Being unaware or confused by directions can bring you to a vulnerable location or make you an obvious target for attack,” said Bush.  

Fourth, stores and markets may not be fully operational, or open at all, during the holidays. Ask the staff at the hotel for a list and a map of these services and make sure they’re open. Local knowledge is the key here.   

Finally, visitors should be respectful of these traditions and avoid behavior that may be seen as discourteous or, worse, profane. The influx of travelers in the city during this period is there for religious pilgrimage or faith-based tourism and their customs and practices abound.   

Israel is a reasonably safe place to travel, and it receives a “moderate” security risk rating owing to the persistent possibilities of a terrorist attack and ongoing political violence. 

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.  

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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – March 14, 2023 – Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, will deploy a team of specialists to Nepal to perform rescue operations during the Mount Everest 2023 spring climbing season where a record number of rescues are expected. 

“During the two-month 2023 Mount Everest spring climbing season, there will usually be several rescue operations performed each day, keeping the deployment team busy from before dawn until nearly midnight. The busiest time is the two-week Mount Everest summit window when the medical and rescue operations team performs up to 25 rescues a day,” said Dan Stretch, a Global Rescue operations manager based in Nepal during the Mount Everest climbing season who has performed more than 500 evacuations and crisis response operations in the Himalayas.  

Recovering climbers and trekkers is much more than a high-altitude mountain chopper rescue. Performing a rescue includes helicopter and ambulance transports, hospital admissions and looking after individuals admitted to a hospital for care. “The deployment team members are located in multiple areas to support individuals throughout their rescue, transport, recovery and safe return home,” Stretch said. 

Ignoring symptoms of altitude sickness during climbs is one of the major avoidable blunders mountaineers and trekkers make during this time, according to Stretch. “Ascending higher with symptoms of altitude sickness in the hopes of getting better is unwise. Generally, you won’t get better. Everyone needs to heed the warning signs. It can mean the difference between a successful summit and cutting your expedition in half and potentially ending up hospitalized,” he said.  

Avalanches are a dangerous reality in the snowy high mountains, and so is the brutal weather. Preparing for them is a key element of the deployment team’s activity. “Avalanche risk is a factor when we determine the safety of ground rescue. We monitor the weather and receive daily reports from our team. There are times when adverse weather can prevent or delay helicopter rescue. At these times we rely on ground rescue or have members shelter in place until the weather clears,” he said.   

Last year, there were a record-breaking number of climbing permits issued, and Global Rescue conducted a record-breaking number of rescue operations. The 2023 spring climbing season will set new records.  

“There will be more people in the region adventuring, partly from the COVID backlog but also due to increased demand to go trekking and climbing,” said legendary mountaineer and a member of the Global Rescue Mountain Advisory Council Ed Viesturs.  

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.      

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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. (March 11, 2023) – U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin secured her 87th World Cup in Sweden today becoming the winningest alpine skier in history. Shiffrin’s win broke the tie of 86 wins set by Ingemar Stenmark in 1989.  

“Congratulations to the Greatest Of All Time, Mikaela Shiffrin. Her history of hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, talent and love of skiing is an example for all of us. She is an exceptionally gifted, focused and indomitable athlete in a highly competitive global sport. Winning her 87th World Cup race and surpassing all other skiers is an astonishing achievement,” said Dan Richards, the CEO of Global Rescue, which has provided travel risk management and crisis support since 2006 for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams. 

Shiffrin’s win elevates her past Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins. 

“It is truly magnificent to be able to watch Mikaela Shiffrin write her name into history,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “She is the definition of a champion, both inside and out, and the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team couldn’t be happier to celebrate this massive achievement with her. We can’t wait to watch Mikaela win even more in the future!”  

Shiffrin credited her team, family and friends for her success and for helping her remain strong, focused, and positive and having the right goals. “It’s been incredible to be part of that. I’m just really thankful.”  

She added that she still has a strong desire to compete. “It’s not over yet, which is even more ridiculous! I still had the same feeling at the start of this run that I have every race—I shouldn’t feel pressure, but somehow I feel something in my heartbeat. That’s the anticipation we want to feel as ski racers and I have it—it’s stronger than ever. I’m just getting started.”. 

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For more information contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560.1195.  

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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – March 6, 2023 – One-out-of-four international travelers needs hospitalization or medical attention during travel but nearly half of them do not obtain a pre-travel health screening, and fewer do any research about the quality of medical care at their destination beforehand, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. 

According to the Merck Manuals, when it comes to foreign travel, about 1 in 30 people traveling abroad require emergency care. That percentage is higher among the world’s most experienced travelers. According to the survey, one out of four (24%) revealed that they needed hospitalization or medical attention during travel.  

Unfortunately, only about a third (38%) of surveyed travelers researched the quality of medical care at their destination before traveling abroad. The balance (62%) did not do any research in advance. 

“In today’s travel landscape, you may not want to travel to any destination where the level of medical care isn’t up to your standards unless you have medical evacuation services. It puts you, your health and your trip at risk,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.  

“Hospital layouts differ. The medication might not look the same. Some hospitals use IVs with glass bottles instead of plastic bags. Triage may be done differently than it is in the United States,” said Jeff Weinstein, medical operations associate manager at Global Rescue.  

“Travelers should obtain destination reports covering everything from travel health and personal security advice to currency and common scams before taking a trip, especially to a foreign country,” Richards added.  

More than half (54%) of the world’s most experienced travelers surveyed by Global Rescue said they obtain a pre-travel health consultation with a physician to discuss their itinerary, pre-existing conditions, a medications list and any health concerns they may have to decrease medical risks during travel.  

That’s nearly two times better than the average, according to Mass General Brigham that reported 30 million travelers visited limited-resource countries overseas, but only 25 to 30% sought medical advice before they went.  

“Certain health conditions and medications can increase your health risks during travel and these risks will vary by destination, activities and mode of travel,” Weinstein said.  

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.       

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey        

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 of its current and former members between January 30 and February 4, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic 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 provided medical and security support to its 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.       

The world’s most experienced travelers expose how to manage inflation, potential airline disruptions and a very busy forecast for global tourism in 2023 

Lebanon, N.H. – February 27, 2023 – Global tourism is expected to rise by 30% in 2023, according to reports and the world’s most experienced travelers have revealed their secrets, and mistakes, on how to manage the upcoming busy travel year, crowded destinations, higher costs and potential travel disruptions.  

The majority of travelers (41%) are planning trips further in advance to lock in reservations and prices, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Another 18% said they plan to travel during off-peak seasons. Thirteen percent said they will seek undiscovered destinations or locales that are off-the-beaten path, 11% said they would avoid traveling on weekends and holidays to avoid crowds, and nearly 5% revealed they would skip international travel and take trips domestically only. About 1-in-10 said they would not do anything differently. 

The predicted rise in travel coincides with higher travel-related costs. Nearly half of the surveyed travelers (45%) are planning to absorb the higher travel costs without skimping. The other half will look for less expensive destinations (13%), reserve less costly lodging (8%), shorten trips (6%), find destinations that have an advantageous currency exchange with their home country currency (5%), do less shopping (5%), dine out less (4%) and do more bleisure travel combining work-related travel with leisure trips (3%).    

Recurring news about airline staff shortages, disrupted flights, and jumps in cancellations are forcing travelers to protect their trips. More Americans are cautious after a spike in flight cancellations at the end of 2022, according to a Reuters report.   

“As travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, more travelers than ever believe emergency rescue and evacuation services are essential, whether it’s due to COVID, a natural disaster, civil unrest or simply to help assist with more complicated travel logistics. Travel protection for emergency medical services and evacuation is no longer optional; it’s obligatory,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Scheduling nonstop flights (35%) whenever possible is the leading way survey respondents will manage potential flight disruptions and staff shortages followed by purchasing travel protection (30%) for delayed or canceled flights, lost luggage, and trip cancellation, according to the Global Rescue survey. Eleven percent of travelers said they will avoid checking luggage and opt for carry-on baggage and 7% said they would travel during off-peak days and times. 

As travelers plan trips for 2023, respondents revealed a shift in the types of travel they want compared to responses from spring 2022. The biggest change is a 40% dip in respondents who are planning to travel to visit family and friends. Another change is the 21% decline in surveyed travelers who are preparing for outdoor adventure trips. 

Despite the shift, outdoor adventure travel led all types of international travel planning followed by a bucket list trip (26%), a culture exploration trip (24%), visiting friends and family, a dream trip (15%) and a wellness trip (5%). A fifth of respondents reported the international trips planned for 2023 were work-related or bleisure.  

The survey revealed 7-out-of-10 of the world’s most experienced travelers are members of a Trusted Traveler Program, like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, compared to only 22% of American flyers, according to a survey reported in Yahoo! Finance. 

As travel returns following the easing of pandemic restrictions, many travelers are readjusting to travel. According to the Global Rescue survey, even the most well-traveled individuals make mistakes following a travel layoff. Survey respondents admitted that over-packing (28%) was the biggest travel mistake since returning to travel, distantly followed by overly ambitious travel itineraries (9%).  

Travel mistakes like forgetting an international plug adapter, failing to change your phone data plan, drinking unsafe water or forgetting to notify your bank you would be out of the country each accounted for 4% or fewer responses. Letting your passport or Trusted Traveler Program membership expire, tipping inappropriately, forgetting your prescription medicine, or medical security protection each accounted for fewer than 2% of responses.  

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.      

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey       

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 of its current and former members between January 30 and February 4, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. – February 13, 2023 – Traveler fears of COVID continue to plummet while concerns over civil unrest increase. The Global Rescue Winter 2023 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey revealed the greatest anxiety among the world’s most experienced travelers about international travel is having an injury or illness unrelated to COVID. The survey further uncovered a major shift in traveler worries about civil unrest and terrorism in international destinations. 

Since August 2022, apprehension about COVID dramatically dropped at a rate of 61%, down to 13% compared to 33% in late summer, according to the results of the quarterly surveys. While COVID fears continue to plunge, other traveler reservations are rising. Traveler concerns about civil unrest and terrorism nearly doubled in the last six months, jumping to 14% in the latest survey from 8% in late summer 2022. 

Today, more than a third of travelers (37%) said their biggest fear is suffering a non-COVID illness or injury, followed by civil unrest (14%), trip cancellation (12%), being robbed (4%), natural disasters (3%) and nuclear attack (less than 1%).   

When it comes to traveling internationally there are other concerns travelers have that, while less severe than illness or injury, are nevertheless worrisome, especially as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels but staffing shortages within the travel industry persist. Nearly a quarter (23%) of survey respondents said hotel and lodging safety was most important, while 10% worry about car service and taxi safety. Some want to know if the destination is safe for families (15%) or women (11%) to travel. Ten percent want to know if they’ll need physical protection. Identity theft and cyber security remain important concerns with 9% of respondents. Less than 3% worry about automobile rental safety or environmental safety. 

“Traveler confidence is skyrocketing and they are mitigating their worries by safeguarding their trips and safety with more protections,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “Whether it’s flight disruptions, war, natural disaster, or a pandemic, the new normal for travelers includes travel protection for emergency medical services and evacuation. Travel protection services are no longer a take-it-or-leave-it option. We are forecasting significant increases in demand for travel protection services,” Richards said.   

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.     

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey      

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 of its current and former members between January 30 and February 4, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic 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 provided medical and security support to its 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, N.H. (Jan. 24, 2023) – U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin secured her 83rd FIS World Cup win in Italy to become the winningest female skier of all time. 

“Congratulations to the Greatest Of All Time, Mikaela Shiffrin. She is an incredibly talented, mentally resilient athlete in a highly competitive global sport. Winning her 83rd World Cup race is a spectacular achievement,” said Dan Richards, the CEO of Global Rescue, the company providing emergency and crisis support since 2006 for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team in the event of illness or injury among any of the team members. 

Shiffrin’s win elevates her past the previous record holder, American skier Lindsey Vonn, and moves her within three victories of Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins. 

“Mikaela Shiffrin is now not only the best woman alpine skier of all time, but she is also a great person, teammate and role model for the sport of alpine skiing,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “As an organization, we are so proud of her accomplishments and cannot wait to see how she further transforms the sport and the history books next.”  

Shiffrin admitted she was nervous before her run, but her anxiety washed away once it was time to go. “Everything went quiet and I just pushed as hard as I could at every turn. It’s still hard for me to believe that I have the mental focus again to be strong on the second run. It’s something I don’t take for granted.” 

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For more information contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560.1195.  

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 provided medical and security support to its 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.  

Biden Administration pushes court to restore traveler mask mandate. 

Lebanon, NH – January 17, 2023 – Travel industry leaders strongly oppose the Biden Administration’s decision to fight to keep a mask mandate in place.  The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on Tuesday from the Biden Justice Department on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to reinstate a mask mandate for air travel, after a federal judge in Florida struck down the mandate last April, according to news reports. 

“The decision by the Department of Justice to fight to reinstate the mask mandate is not medically indicated and it contradicts President Biden’s declaration in September that the pandemic is over,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

“It is a reckless, unnecessary action that will spread traveler fear and uncertainty further damaging an industry badly ravaged by the pandemic,” Richards said. 

The fight to keep mask mandates is not a popular one among travel industry groups. The U.S. Travel Association, for example, praised the elimination of the mask mandate. “The current decision to halt enforcement of the federal mask mandate effectively returns the choice of mask usage on planes and other forms of public transportation to travelers and travel industry workers, a further step toward endemic management of COVID,” Tori Emerson Barnes, the association’s executive vice president, said at the time. 

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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 provided medical and security support to its 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   

The World’s Most Experienced Travelers Name the Top 25 Travel Songs  

Lebanon, N.H. – January 14, 2023 – As travelers shrug off inflation and emerge from holiday travel disruptions, people are searching international trips in droves, according to a recent report. Global Rescue conducted a survey of the world’s most experienced travelers to identify a collection of the best travel songs to inspire trip-takers.   

“Travel confidence is exploding in a positive direction. TSA data reflects traveler volumes pushing past pre-pandemic levels for the first time in more than two years. Call it revenge travel or make-up travel, the comeback to international travel is surging,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.  

“People are gearing up for a return to travel after the pandemic pause. They are driving a significant rebound in travel activity and the Global Rescue survey revealed the Top 25 travel songs that inspire adventure, encourage exploration, and re-connect us with loved ones,” Richards said.     

Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” was identified as the favorite travel song followed by:   

• Dancing Queen by ABBA 
• Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers 
• Caribbean Queen by Billie Ocean 
• Three Little Birds by Bob Marley 
• Saturday in the Park by Chicago 

• Teach Your Children by CSNY 
• Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker 
• Already Gone by Eagles 
• Rocket Man by Elton John 
• Lose Yourself by Eminem 

• Autumn Leaves by Eric Clapton 
• Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra 
• I Got Your (I Feel Good) by James Brown 
• Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey 
• Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd 

• Nothing Else Matters by Metallica 
• Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback 
• I’m Leavin’ on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary 
• Timber by Pitbull 
• Bohemian Rapsody by Queen 

• Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf 
• Don’t You Worry About a Thing by Stevie Wonder 
• Burning Down the House by Talking Heads 
• Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison 

The complete collection of The Global Rescue Top Travel Songs is available on Spotify.  

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey   

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 1,000 of its current and former members between October 25 and 31, 2022. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.      

Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.  

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 provided medical and security support to its 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 – January 12, 2023 – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the re-appointment of Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to an additional two-year term on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB).

“[Richards’] experience will be important as the Board provides me with advice and counsel on issues and concerns that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry. I appreciate your willingness to devote your time and efforts to the Board,” said Secretary Raimondo.

“I look forward to sharing my knowledge and recommendations with Secretary Raimondo and the Board to help the travel and tourism industry recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic and work to shield the industry from future threats,” Richards said.

The board is comprised of 32 leaders from businesses and organizations in the domestic travel and tourism industry. Participating leadership includes Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, Bill Hornbuckle, the CEO of MGM Resorts and Matt Goldberg, the CEO of Trip Advisor, among others. Members advise the Secretary of Commerce on how government policies and programs affect the travel and tourism industry and offer counsel on current and emerging issues to support sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry as our nation’s economic engine.

“Travel and tourism returned with force in 2022 as we opened up our country once again to visitors from around the globe,” said Secretary Raimondo. “The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing expert recommendations and industry insight to optimize the American travel experience,” she said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com  or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

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 provided medical and security support to its 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. 

Rescue and medical evacuation teams are standing by
to assist travelers who may need field rescue, medical evacuation or medical advisory.

Lebanon, NH – January 6, 2023 – Global Rescue operations experts are standing by to assist travelers who may need field rescue, medical evacuation or medical advisory due to the volcanic activity reported within Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Kīlauea’s summit caldera within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

According to the U.S. Geological Service Volcano Notification Service (USGS VNS), the Kīlauea volcano began erupting at approximately 4:34 p.m. HST on January 5, 2023, when the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in Kīlauea summit webcam images indicating that the eruption had resumed.

“Global Rescue’s intelligence and operations teams are monitoring the event and will report unsafe sulfur dioxide levels in the area in case air quality decreases,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. “Travelers are advised to monitor developments as conditions can change rapidly and with little notice.”

The opening phases of eruptions are dynamic, according to information from USGS. “Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor.”

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory elevate Kīlauea’s volcano alert level to WARNING and its aviation color code to RED as this eruption and associated hazards are evaluated.

“Flight disruptions or evacuations may be ordered if the situation escalates. Travelers should be prepared to utilize any means necessary to exit the affected region, including air, sea and land travel. Monitor local media, government alerts and airport notices to stay informed as the situation develops,” said Harding Bush, a former Navy SEAL and senior manager of security for Global Rescue.

“Travelers should check with the airlines and see if they are still able to fly to their destinations. Volcanic ash is a dangerous element of a volcanic eruption. The ash can damage aviation equipment, it’s very fine and can damage jet engines. Ground vehicle transportation may be affected, too, for the same reasons,” Bush said.

Volcanic ash near a flight path shuts down all aviation. In 2010 a volcano eruption in Iceland shut down air travel in Europe for a significant time.

“Travelers have learned that anything can happen during a trip, especially since the pandemic. Their mindset has made a tectonic shift, moving travel protection for emergency evacuation from ‘optional’ to ‘obligatory’. Travelers learned that emergency rescue and evacuation services are often essential, whether it’s due to COVID-19, a natural disaster, civil unrest or simply needing emergency help when you’re traveling,” Richards said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

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 provided medical and security support to its 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.