Travelers’ Distrust of Agentic AI Runs Deep; Most Reject AI Trip Planning But Welcome Help With Discounts and Savings
Travelers’ Distrust of Agentic AI Runs Deep; Most Reject AI Trip Planning But Welcome Help With Discounts and Savings
(Lebanon, NH – January 12, 2026) – While artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, most of the world’s most experienced travelers remain reluctant to let “Agentic AI” — autonomous digital assistants that plan, book and manage trips — take charge of their journeys, according to the latest Global Rescue Fall 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
When asked if they would consider using Agentic AI for their next international trip, just over one in five (22%) said yes. Men (24%) were more open than women (19%) and US travelers (23%) were slightly more receptive than non-US travelers (20%). Nearly four in ten (40%) said they would not use it and another 38% were unsure.
“Travelers are curious but cautious,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “They want to understand how these emerging AI systems make decisions before they’re comfortable handing over control.”
Only 18% of respondents said they had heard of Agentic AI before the survey. Awareness was slightly higher among men (19%) and non-US travelers (20%) than among women (14%) and US respondents (17%).
Comfort levels dropped sharply when travelers were asked how they’d feel about letting Agentic AI make autonomous decisions. Only 20% said they would feel comfortable letting AI design a complete trip itinerary based on their preferences. Women and international travelers were the most hesitant.
Discomfort grew when the scenario involved Agentic AI booking flights, hotels or activities without traveler approval. Nearly eight in ten (79%) said they would feel uncomfortable with that level of control. Women were especially skeptical, with 83% reporting unease compared to 77% of men.
When asked about allowing AI to automatically rebook disrupted flights or hotels, acceptance rose slightly — about 22% said they would feel comfortable, while roughly 60% said they would not. Americans were marginally more open than international travelers, but women again showed greater caution.
The one area where travelers showed stronger acceptance was AI-driven cost savings. About 38% said they would be comfortable letting AI apply promo codes or adjust bookings to find better deals. Men (40%) and US travelers (39%) were more open to this than women (38%) or non-US respondents (35%).
“These results show a clear boundary between curiosity and trust,” Richards said. “Travelers may welcome AI tools that save them money, but they’re not yet ready to let those tools make major decisions on their behalf.”
About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey
Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. Respondents shared their attitudes, behaviors and preferences related to travel safety, technology and global mobility.
About Global Rescue
Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue maintains exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. The company has provided medical and security support during every major global crisis over the past two decades.
For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.
One in Three Travelers Plan to Retire Abroad; Younger, Higher-Income Travelers Show Growing Interest in International Retirement
One in Three Travelers Plan to Retire Abroad; Younger, Higher-Income Travelers Show Growing Interest in International Retirement
(Lebanon, NH – January 5, 2026) – More than one in three travelers are thinking about retiring outside their home country, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. The results show strong curiosity about international retirement among younger and higher-income respondents, with only about half of all travelers saying they plan to retire domestically.
“Travel often sparks more than just short-term adventure—it opens people’s eyes to what life could look like elsewhere,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “For many, the idea of retiring abroad represents freedom, affordability and access to new experiences.”
Younger Travelers More Open to the Idea
Interest in retiring abroad was highest among travelers under 55, particularly those between 35 and 54 years old. While the majority of survey respondents are over 55, the data indicate that a new generation of travelers is beginning to link their travel ambitions with long-term lifestyle planning.
“People who started traveling globally in their 30s and 40s are now thinking about how they could make that lifestyle permanent,” Richards said. “They’ve seen firsthand how different cultures live—and they’re considering how that could fit into their future.”
Income Plays a Major Role
Wealthier travelers are leading the retirement-abroad trend. Respondents with household incomes above $150,000 were the most likely to consider living overseas, with interest tapering among those earning less than $100,000. Nearly one in ten travelers (9%) reported annual incomes above $500,000, a group particularly drawn to international retirement options.
“Financial flexibility is often a deciding factor,” Richards noted. “The more exposure travelers have to global destinations—and the means to plan accordingly—the more comfortable they are with the idea of retiring somewhere new.”
Gender Similarities in Retirement Outlook
Men (38%) and women (35%) were nearly identical in their interest in retiring abroad. Just over half of all respondents (51%) said they intend to remain in their home country, while 13% are undecided.
“These numbers reflect growing openness to global living,” Richards said. “Even if travelers don’t ultimately move abroad, the fact that one-third are seriously thinking about it shows a significant cultural shift in how people view retirement.”
For more information, contact:
Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195
About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey
Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.
About Global Rescue
Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has supported Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.