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Global Rescue’s 2021 Holiday Travel Gift Guide

It’s that time of the year again: time to find the perfect gift for the travelers on your holiday shopping list. Check out our 2021 holiday gift guide for people who love to travel.

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Traveler Confidence Surges, Travel Rebounds

COVID-19 fears subside, travelers are significantly less concerned about travel Lebanon, NH – November 8, 2021 – Traveler confidence is surging, and it’s driving a significant rebound in travel activity. Nearly 86% of travelers have…

COVID-19 fears subside, travelers are significantly less concerned about travel

Lebanon, NH – November 8, 2021 – Traveler confidence is surging, and it’s driving a significant rebound in travel activity. Nearly 86% of travelers have taken domestic trips, and 42% have traveled internationally, since the pandemic started a year a half ago, according to the 2021 Fall Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

“Between April and October, there’s been a 74% jump in people taking domestic trips and an enormous 207% increase in individuals traveling internationally,” said Dan Richards, the CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

Fear of COVID-19-related quarantine or infection while traveling declined by 37% compared to January 2021, according to the survey of the most experienced travelers in the world. Three out of four survey respondents said they are “less” or “much less” concerned about travel today compared to the beginning of the pandemic, reflecting a 65% improvement in individual concerns about travel compared to traveler attitudes at the beginning of 2021.

“As COVID-19 fears subside, people are significantly less concerned about travel,” Richards said.

Vaccination prevalence, its efficacy and the declining infection rates are contributing to a return to travel normalcy. According to the survey, 73% of travelers reported being vaccinated, or having recovered from a COVID-19 infection, makes them feel safe enough to travel.

More than half of respondents (53%) said having medical evacuation protection gives them sufficient peace of mind to travel. “Travel insurance and protection services are taking off at pace with travel as it resumes,” Richards said.

Respondents said rescue service from point of injury or illness, including COVID-19, and transport to a medical facility were more important than Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance protecting against financial loss from last-minute trip cancellation or disruption.

“Since the pandemic, there’s been a 30% increase in travelers designating medical evacuation as the most important travel protection needed. COVID-19 brought to light the limitations of travel insurance and the importance of having a separate medical support and evacuation safety net that includes medical evacuation and transport for COVID-19,” Richards said.

A third of survey takers (36%) said choosing uncrowded or remote destinations was an important factor to feel safe enough to travel. Respondents listed China, the Middle East, Africa, India and Russia as the regions they were least likely to tour. Canada, Mexico, France, Italy and Spain were recognized as the countries travelers were most likely to visit.

Conversely, respondents said masking and physical distancing — common requirements endorsed by officials — were the least effective behaviors that would make them feel safe enough to travel.

“COVID-19 vaccines and treatments are successfully saving lives. People are keeping their fingers crossed in the hopes the end of the pandemic is near. Unfortunately, government officials haven’t found and applied a standardized system that will encourage a return to international business and leisure travel,” Richards said.

Some countries, like the U.S., still call for illogical rules like requiring fully vaccinated returning resident travelers to obtain and present a negative test result for COVID-19 infection. Vaccinated travelers to Bermuda who arrive without a negative pretest must quarantine until they get a negative result. In South Korea, a 14-day quarantine is required regardless of vaccination status.

“More pandemic procedural discernment will encourage people to book travel and help deliver the travel industry out of an economic crisis,” Richards said.

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 1,500 of its current and former members between October 26-30, 2021. The respondents exposed a significant rebound in travel activity and confidence as well as critical preferences for international destinations and COVID-19 protocols.

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 decade. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.

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COVID-19 Positive and Symptomatic on Vacation? Global Rescue Medevacs You Home

When a symptomatic member tested positive for COVID-19 during a fishing trip to the Bahamas, a medical evacuation to a higher level of care was needed.

Montana resident and avid fly fisher Dolly Webster and her partner Michael Smith set off for a six-day fishing trip to the island of Great Inagua. Little did they know one of them would catch more than fish.

The tiny island is 375 miles/604 kilometers southeast of Nassau, the Bahamas. It’s a paradise for fly fishing enthusiasts who are seeking tarpon, bonefish and permit.

It was Webster’s first time to the area, but Smith was a veteran of 20 visits to the island. But her novice status didn’t diminish her skills or her luck. “I caught so many fish. It was terrific. I hooked up my first tarpon. They are amazing fish, so huge, strong and acrobatic,” Webster said.

Despite Being Careful, COVID-19 Strikes

A day or so before their trip ended, the pair needed to obtain negative COVID-19 tests before returning to the U.S.

Webster has severe allergies to a variety of vaccinations that make getting a COVID-19 vaccine a potentially dangerous undertaking that could lead to hospitalization.

“I have a health history of poor reactions to vaccines like tetanus and penicillin. I was planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I need to do it in a hospital because the potential for an adverse reaction is high,” she said.

Consequently, Webster has been fastidious in minimizing her risk of exposure and infection by assiduously following pandemic guidelines and staying abreast of the scientific developments associated with the disease.

She and her partner followed COVID-19 protocols to the letter; masking, physically distancing, taking part in outdoor activities like fishing, and obtaining negative PCR tests before traveling to the island nation.

Smith’s test at the end of the fishing trip was negative. Webster’s was positive. She was stunned.

“I was shocked when I heard the nurse say my test was positive since I’d been so careful.”

A Higher Level of Care Was Called For

The-treatment-room-in-Bahamas

Great Inagua Island’s small clinic was not capable of providing the level of medical care appropriate for Dolly.

The news seized the duo with substantial uncertainty and trepidation. Dolly’s symptoms were undeniable. The medical facilities on the island were limited, and the twosome was far from a higher level of care. They felt trapped.

They researched all their options, including one where Smith — who was permitted to travel — would fly to the U.S. Upon his arrival, he planned to obtain the needed treatment medicine, specifically monoclonal antibody treatments that help the body fight COVID-19. The medicine was unavailable on the island. Smith figured he would return to Great Inagua with the medicine for Dolly.

Fortunately, the option Smith chose was to call Global Rescue.

“He reported Dolly had been experiencing what they thought was a head cold since the previous Saturday, but symptoms had elevated and now resembled the flu,” according to Carlene Merola, a Global Rescue medical operations senior specialist.

The couple was using the only health center on Great Inagua Island. The clinic staff found Webster’s oxygen level was low and her blood pressure was below the normal range. Those vital signs are danger signals because decreased oxygen can result in impaired functioning of the heart and brain.

“We also checked out the medical facility’s abilities. We learned the small clinic was treating patients outside while passing around a small oxygen cylinder between patients who required it. We determined the clinic was incapable of providing adequate medical care and transport to a facility with a higher level of care was medically warranted,” Merola said.

A Speedy Medical Evacuation to Miami

Dolly-Webster-and-air-ambulance

Dolly boarding the air ambulance bound for a hospital with a higher level of care in Miami.

Smith and Webster are members of Global Rescue. Until now, they had not needed medical evacuation services, especially for a COVID-19 case during a pandemic. They were uncertain how things would play out.

“We were both somewhat skeptical when we called Global Rescue whether it would be a positive response,” Smith said.

“I called. The phone was answered by a human being. I explained the situation and 10 seconds later I was connected to medical operations senior specialist (Merola) who immediately asked about Dolly’s symptoms, the exam, diagnosis, vital signs and more,” Smith added.

The Global Rescue operations team acted quickly and confirmed an airborne medical evacuation was on the way.

“We understood the situation and the urgency for an appropriate medical evaluation. This was a field rescue and she needed a level of hospital care not available on the island so we arranged an immediate air ambulance transport to a hospital where she could receive appropriate medical care. We knew we had to get her out as soon as possible,” said Jeff Weinstein, Global Rescue medical operations supervisor.

It was a comfort for Dolly, who knew that getting treatment as soon as possible was vital to recovery.

“Every hour counts. I was desperate to get off that island and get early treatment,” she said.

After the jet arrived, the in-flight medical team conducted a medical examination to monitor Dolly’s condition. The couple boarded the evacuation jet and made their way to Miami.

“Every transport is unique,” said Carlos Salina, CEO of the air ambulance firm working with Global Rescue. “People have special health conditions. Every country has distinct requirements for entry to pick up patients and then you have to make certain you meet all the restrictions for countries you’re going to. Those rules are often changing,” he said.

Salinas is personally invested in his work. “I’ve had COVID-19 and I can tell you that you feel like you’re going to die,” he said. Salinas was transported by his firm when he got COVID. His advice to travelers is simple. “Get vaccinated and use the mask.”

When the couple arrived at the airport, they were transported to the hospital by a vehicle arranged for by Global Rescue. Dolly was immediately admitted, examined and began receiving monoclonal antibody treatment.

Glad to Have Global Rescue

Dolly-Webster-recieving-care-for-COVID-19

Dolly receiving the proper treatment vital to her recovery.

The couple returned to Montana where Dolly continued her recovery. They have told their story to friends and family – advising them to travel with a Global Rescue membership.

“Don’t leave home without it,” she insisted.

Webster is reflective following the experience and how the pandemic is changing the way we live and the way we travel.

“It’s so variable in the effects it can have on a person’s health. It is a frightening disease. We can no longer travel how we used to. Our whole world has changed. Travelers now need medical evacuation protection for any trip and not just adventure trips like mountaineering, trekking, remote fishing or anything else,” she said.

Webster believes travelers use the word ‘rescue’ too lightly. She promises never to do that again.

“There are no words for that moment when Global Rescue helped me get my life back,” she said.

Weeks later, Webster is near full recovery, getting back to normal and planning her vaccination. She remains impressed with how Global Rescue performed.

“I’m still awestruck by the level of care, concern and nurturing from the entire Global Rescue team,” she said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

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How to Travel with a Dog (or Two)

Whether you’re opting for a road trip or an international destination, here’s a list of considerations for safe and smart travel with your dog.

Global Rescue member Rob Beaton has been traveling with his dogs for more than 20 years. In April and May 2021, he made a 3,418-mile loop around Baja, California, with his three travel companions: Whitney, Senna and Willow.

A seasoned traveler, Beaton has developed what works for his dog family: voice control for off-leash exercise, leashes for urban areas and border crossings, and hamster cage water bottles for constant water access in the vehicle.

[Related Reading: Hiking Safety Tips for You and Your Dog]

You’ll want to develop your own methods to keep everyone — two and four footed — safe and happy on your trip. Whether you’re opting for a road trip or an international destination this fall/winter, here’s a list of considerations for safe and smart travel with your dog.

Start Small

dog-on-road-trip

Your pet’s first trip should be a short one. In fact, plan a few trips with gradually longer distances: a car trip to a local dog park, a car trip for an overnight at a friends’ house, then a lengthy car trip to a pet-friendly hotel for a weekend. Practice — and have contingency plans in place if at any point your dog becomes anxious.

Global Rescue members Chelsea and Rebekah Bakos-Kallgren have been practicing backyard camping with their 1-year-old puppy, Abol, before scheduling a 2022 summer trip.

“We use an old tent and old sleeping bags perfect for sharp puppy nails,” said Bakos-Kallgren. “The rain fly creates a vestibule so she’s in her dog bed, outside the tent, but near us. It took a lot of treats but our first try was a success.”

Visit Your Vet

Even if you are just crossing state lines for a week-long vacation, make sure your dog is healthy. Check in with your local veterinarian, make sure all vaccinations are up to date, and get a baseline health status to bring any underlying conditions to light before travel.

When traveling internationally with your pet(s), there may be animal health requirements for that destination. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, factors to consider may include meeting time frames for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administration of medications/ treatments.

Bring Paperwork

Just as you would bring your driver’s license and passport, your dog will need a collar with ID tags. It’s also wise to pack a copy of your dog’s vaccination records, which you might need if your pet is ill or needs to be boarded for a day during your trip. Usually a copy on your phone will be enough, or you can keep a copy in your glove box for safe keeping. Be sure to have a photo of your pet and any microchip documentation if they do happen to leave your side.

Have the Right Safety Gear

dog-safety-gear

Your pet will need a variety of safety devices depending on the type of vacation you have planned: a carrier or harness for car travel, a life jacket for water exploration or a reflective vest for hiking. A microfiber dog towel is handy there’s unexpected bad weather or water play.

You’ll also pack food, snacks and plenty of water. Make sure you have a water bowls for a variety of situations, such as stable for car travel or collapsible for on the go. Water should be accessible at all times — like Beaton does with the hamster cage water bottles — so your pet doesn’t have to wait for you to stop for gas before getting a drink. Safe Travel partner Orvis offers a no-splash travel bowl as well as a weekender kit with collapsible bowls.

Research Your Destination

AAA, North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, suggests researching your travel plans specifically for your pets. This means not only state animal policies — Hawaii, for example, requires a five-day quarantine period for pets who meet pre- and post-arrival requirements — but also drilling down to city, county and municipality breed-specific regulations.

Never show up to a location assuming it is pet-friendly. Depending on your plans, you’ll want to research:
Hotels: some allow pets to stay for free while others have a per-night fee
Campground or RV park: many have leash laws
National parks: many have strict dog regulations due to wildlife
Restaurants: some outdoor seating establishments welcome pets

Prepare for Pit Stops

Beaton stops hourly to let his dogs run. “There are plenty of side roads and trails with little traffic where they can run off-leash,” he said. “Sometimes we have to get a bit creative. Cellular tower roads are great. They are usually near major roads or highways and only fenced near the tower, giving us plenty of room to run.”

You could also look for a dog park — fenced-in areas where your dog can run off-leash under your supervision — in your destination. Dogfriendly.com and BringFido.com each offer a list of dog parks for every town in the United States.

Not comfortable leaving your pet alone in the car, even for a moment? The Humane Society of the United States recommends traveling with one other human on a long drive so you can take shifts using the rest room or stopping for supplies.

Check-In with the Airline

dog-travels-by-train

Plane, train or boat — each transportation provider has its own set of rules. Amtrak charges a fee for small dogs and cats in a carrier (20 pound maximum). Unless you have a service animal, pets are typically not allowed on cruise lines and, if they are, will most likely stay in the ship’s kennel. If you are bringing your pet on a plane, each airline has its own requirements for in-cabin pets from booking to airport arrival to destination. United asks your pet remain in its kennel at all times.

Traveling Internationally with Your Dog

More than two million pets travel by air each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. They offer this advice for transporting your pet:

Check the condition of the kennel from top to bottom, including the security of the door latch.
Write your name, address and phone number on the kennel, and make sure your pet is wearing a tag with the same information.
Make sure your pet is used to the kennel long before the trip.
Do not give your pet solid food in the six hours prior to the flight, although a moderate amount of water and a walk before and after the flight are advised.
Do not administer sedation to your pet without the approval of a veterinarian, and provide a test dose before the trip to gauge how the pet will react.
Be sure to reserve a space for your pet in advance, and inquire about time and location for drop-off and pick-up.
Try to schedule a non-stop flight; avoid connections and the heavy traffic of a holiday or weekend flight.
When you board, tell a pilot or a flight attendant there is a pet in the cargo hold. The airlines have a system for providing such notification, but it doesn’t hurt to mention it.

Bring a First Aid Kit

The American Kennel Club has a comprehensive list of first aid kit items for your dog: gauze, non-stick bandages, scissors, tweezers and an antibiotic spray (or ointment) to treat cuts, sores, rashes, dry skin and allergies. Orvis, a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner, has a field dog first aid kit with surgical-quality instruments and a 93-page field guide. It can be separated into two kits: one to carry in your vest, the other to keep in your vehicle.

Coronavirus Concerns

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus causing COVID-19 can spread from “people to animals including pets in some situations, mostly during close contact.” The numbers have been small, but if you’re worried about your pet catching the virus it is best to keep them at home or in locations, such as a friend’s home, where you know everyone is vaccinated. Pets should not wear masks and hand sanitizer should not be used on their fur or skin.

Watch the Weather

dog-with-sweater

Your dog may have a fur coat, but they get cold just like you do. Most dogs will be fine outside in the winter for short periods of time, but dogs with fine hair (greyhounds), smaller breeds (Chihuahuas) and older dogs may need a sweater or coat for longer walks, hikes or treks.

Flying? When the outdoor temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, airlines declare a “no-fly day” and pets are not allowed to fly. It will be too cold on the tarmac for your dog.

Have a Plan in Place

What happens to your pet if you are incapacitated?

“Understand your dog may not be able to evacuate with you,” said Adam Bardwell, supervisor of operations at Global Rescue. He notes mitigating factors such as helicopter weight limits, stress level of the pet, and the pet-friendliness of your destination. “Assume your dog will not be cared for if you do not have a plan in place.”

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Why You Need a Travel Company

Travel companies have on-the-ground experience at a destination, insider information about the accommodation options and, because of the pandemic, extensive knowledge about entry and exit requirements. These are the people you want on your side…

Throughout history, there has been someone helping merchants travel for business and individuals travel for religious purposes. As transportation evolved over time from horse-drawn carriages and steamships to railways and airplanes, an expert was still on hand to arrange a grand tour of Europe in the 18th century or a multi-generational safari in the 20th century. This middleman today has many different names — travel agent, travel advisor, travel designer, tour operator, tour guide, travel management company — but all provide a valuable service: helping travelers create the trip of a lifetime.

Travel agents become popular in the 1960s as a faster and easier way to book flights, but their value has grown beyond route knowledge and discounted tickets. Many travel companies have on-the-ground experience at a destination, insider information about the accommodation options and, because of the pandemic, extensive knowledge about entry and exit requirements.

These are the people you want on your side when planning a trip in today’s travel environment. Across specialties — climbing guides to safari companies to women-only tour operators — travel experts match their expertise with your request, creating a personalized trip hard to find by just searching the Internet and clicking the “book now” button.

A Flywire survey of frequent travelers across the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Canada and Japan found 56% will be more likely to book a tour through a private tour operator than they were before the pandemic, and 49% are more likely to book a specialty trip through a tour agent.

If you’re wondering why you should use a travel management company to plan your next trip, our Safe Travel Partners provide nine ways they can assist.

Work Within a Budget

You’ve been saving for years for a guided tour of Italy, but are worried that it might not be enough for the luxury travel you’re envisioning. A travel company can create a trip to match your budget.

“Good travel advisors do not just know what the best hotel is, they know what the best hotel is for you and your budget and can help you find the right fit,” writes Larry Olmsted in Forbes magazine.

Easier Travel Planning

travel-planning-made-easy

The primary responsibility of a travel agent was to make the process of travel planning easier for clients. Today, they ensure clients experience the best trip possible.

“Rather than merely booking transactions or acting as order-takers, agents now function as travel advisers,” said Kimberly Franke of Kanna Travel Services, a travel company specializing in outdoor recreation travel logistics. “They work collaboratively with clients to sort through vast amounts of information and make informed decisions, much like financial advisers assist clients in managing their money.”

Tailor Trips to Your Needs

You’d like to have a camp experience on your next trip, but are not quite sure what that entails. Ask your tour operator.

“We work to ensure our clients enjoy the camp experience at our remote lodges. Most importantly, when you are looking at booking a trip, we are extremely honest about the pros and cons of what you will be experiencing so you can choose a trip that fits your physical requirements,” said Kevin McNeil, co-owner of Aylmer Lake Lodge with wife Patti. “From start to finish, we want you to enjoy your trip in a setting where you are comfortable.”

Offer a Personal Touch

personal-touch-on-trips

Want to backcountry ski or ice climb in Canada? Many smaller tour operators focus on their core expertise.

“Clients come to me because I’m not a big guiding company. I’m a one-man show, running my business and guiding trips myself while at the same time raising a young family here in my hometown of Canmore, Alberta,” said Tom Wolfe, owner of Sawback Alpine Adventures, internationally certified Mountain Guide, and a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the International Federation of Mountain Guides. “I’m a guide first and foremost because I love making great trips for my clients and taking part in those personally.”

Help You Set and Meet Goals

Before you try a hands-free bat hang on the burliest crag, you may want to consider finding a climbing guide to help you reach your summit aspirations.

“Are you looking for something that is technically interesting — some technical challenges in a climb — or altitude endurance challenges? To create the best-customized program, I want to figure out what excites them about their climbing,” said Kel Rossiter, owner and lead guide of Adventure Spirit Rock+Ice+Alpine Experiences.

Share Insider Access

travel-insider-access

Travel companies have made connections in the industry, giving them access to the finest restaurants, hotels, theaters and venues around the globe.

“My relationships with trusted partners in every country give me up-to-date, local knowledge and insider access to un-Google-able experiences, such as glamping on private lands, a tour of a vineyard and wine tasting with a member of the Spanish royal family, or hearing stories from a member of an iconic family in Sydney with access to the vault of the rarest pearls on Earth,” said Mimi Lichtenstein, founder and custom travel advisor of Truvay Travel.

Create Small Group Experiences

You want to get back to the water but in a smaller, more personalized way because of the coronavirus variants. Your travel guide might suggest a small group experience, such as a private yacht or a close-to-home river cruise.

“Our travel company caters to small group experiences. Not only does this allow our clients to have the full attention of our guides and staff throughout their trip, it also makes it easier to focus on health and safety,” said Brandon Morris, owner and founder of FlashpackerConnect Adventure Travel. “We speak extensively with our clients to develop the perfect trip for them, with careful consideration of every aspect of their trip from the level of activity to accommodations preferences. We are fully able to customize the way we build out trips.”

Pandemic Assistance

When it comes to health and safety guidelines, 86% of travelers say these details are more important now than they were before the pandemic. Many travel companies have put protocols in place to boost client safety. Trips have been reformatted to create travel bubbles, vendors are vetted for health and safety standards, and travel packages include testing capabilities or quarantine requirements.

Provide Peace of Mind

A recent survey of our Safe Travel Partners found 28% joined the Global Rescue program to provide peace of mind for clients and 26% to help meet duty of care. Fifty percent of partners introduce Global Rescue to clients in the pre-booking process and 28% during trip confirmation.

Not only do they take care of all the details for you, many travel management companies have emergency communications gear and risk management plans in place. They also have travel protection memberships, like Global Rescue.

“Our partnership with Global Rescue is an extremely important part of the service we offer to our customers,” said Catherine Shearer, co-owner of H+I Adventures. “Not only does it give us the peace of mind of emergency evacuation on the rare occasions this might be required, but it also gives our guides and clients the reassurance of having a medical expert on the end of a phone 24/7 to advise on illness or minor injury. Our clients have benefited from this service on a number of occasions and have been very satisfied with the care they have received from Global Rescue.”

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A Bad Bump in a Burly Vehicle in the Canadian High Arctic

When Barb Allan booked her trip to a remote island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, she had plans for birdwatching and beluga spotting — not an emergency medical evacuation after an accident in an off-roading…

While there are plenty of high-adrenaline, adventurous activities to indulge in during a visit to the Canadian High Arctic, Barb Allan’s accident and resulting medical emergency didn’t occur at a time when she was being particularly active.

Rather, Allan was in a vehicle en route to a neighboring rookery to enjoy some birdwatching with her husband and a handful of other tour group members.

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“The day before, we had hiked a mountain, explored a Thule ruin and even tracked a roaming polar bear. But, when the accident happened, I wasn’t doing anything particularly risky that I’d ever think could result in needing emergency rescue,” said the 61-year-old resident of Aurora, Ontario, Canada. “We were simply being transported, had an accident, and I was the unlucky one.”

Banged Up During a Bumpy Ride

Allan and her husband are well-seasoned international travelers, having been to destinations across Southeast Asia, South America and Africa, among others. But they elected to keep this week-and-a-half August 2021 trip within their home country, given how much the pandemic had complicated foreign travel.

“It was supposed to be our easy, breezy Canada trip,” said Allan. “Still, the location was remote, so we decided to get a 14-day Global Rescue membership — just in case.”

Good thing they did. Because on day two of the trip, Allan needed an emergency evacuation after the Unimog — a type of robust, off-road vehicle transporting the group to the birdwatching site — veered out of control while traveling up and over an embankment.

“There were eight of us sitting in the back,” described Allan. “Everyone was thrown to the floor, but because of where I was sitting, I was thrown against the cab — hard. I banged my head and my teeth went through my upper lip.”

Calling for an Emergency Evacuation

Remote-Canada-Trip

The accident occurred within sight of the lodge they were staying at, so an ATV was quickly dispatched and the lodge’s staff — all trained in wilderness first aid — collected Allan and brought her back to basecamp where a fellow guest, who was also a doctor, assessed her injuries. Allan’s husband quickly called Global Rescue.

Because it was thought that Allan would need internal stitches to her lip — something that could not be done at the lodge — Global Rescue went to work arranging for a medical evacuation to a hospital with a higher level of care. In this case, that was in Yellowknife, the capital city of Canada’s Northwest Territories, about a six-hour flight away.

After being picked up and transported via a small-engine plane, Allan and her husband arrived at the hospital.

“The emergency room was pretty busy despite it being so early in the morning,” said Allan. “But because Global Rescue had already been in touch with the hospital, providing all my necessary information, I was able to get in and looked at right away. Global Rescue really helped expedite my care.”

Global Rescue as Physical and Financial Protection

After x-rays and further assessment, it was determined that Allan had also broken her wrist, but, otherwise, her lacerated upper lip did not require stitches because it had already started to heal, which is not unusual since oral wounds heal faster than anywhere else on the body. Nor did she need a CT scan for the bump on her head.

“I was pretty badly bruised on the left side of my body, from my head to my thigh, but I didn’t have a concussion,” added Allan, who admits she has a pretty high pain tolerance. “Global Rescue and the physician at the lodge did a good job working together to make sure any swelling was reduced with a proper dosage of Advil.”

Within hours, Allan was treated and released by the hospital with a Fit-to-Fly Certificate with no restrictions. The couple checked into a local hotel and returned home on a commercial flight a few days later where Allan was seen by a local orthopedist and began physical therapy for her wrist.

“I know there were people at the lodge who didn’t purchase a traveler protection membership. I’m so glad we did — not just for the medical oversight, but for the financial protection when it came to transport, too,” said Allan. “We paid only $289 for that 14-day membership, whereas, if we had gone without, it would have ended up costing us thousands.”

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Spooky Travel Destinations, Halloween-style

Day of the Dead isn’t the only Halloween trip you can take. If you’re looking for the macabre side of a historical location or a chance encounter with the paranormal, Global Rescue Safe Travel partners…

Day of the Dead is an annual Mexican tradition remembering and honoring deceased family members. The celebration, a two-day event beginning November 1, 2021, is famous throughout the world, drawing as many as a million visitors to Mexico to participate in the parades and parties — with elaborate makeup and costumes — as well as songs, dances and poems to show love and respect for lost loved ones.

But Day of the Dead isn’t the only Halloween-esque trip you can take. If you’re looking for the macabre side of a historical location or hoping for a chance encounter with the paranormal, Global Rescue Safe Travel partners offer six ideas for an October excursion sure to give you goosebumps.

1. A Witch’s Trail in Germany

The Natural Adventure Company offers a trip to Germany, an area rife with folklore, myths and legends, complete with a 16-kilometer (10-mile) hike on the Harz Witches Trail. The trail follows old trail routes, winds through medieval villages, and offers stunning views of Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains. The townspeople of one of these half-timbered villages, called Quedlinburg, burned 133 accused witches at the stake in 1589. Witches were thought to congregate with the devil on Walpurgis Night (a traditional spring festival) around Brocken and, some say, still do today.

2. Ghosts and Witches in Salem, Massachusetts

graveyard-walking-tours-Salem

There’s something for everyone in Salem, Massachusetts, site of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but click on “Halloween Enthusiast” and the town will offer up activities, events and tours that will send tingles down your spine. Options include ghostly night tours by Black Cat Tours, graveyard walking tours hosted by the Salem Wax Museum, and an underground journey of haunted rooms in The Lost Museum. In October, the town hosts Haunted Happenings, a month-long celebration with costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses and theatrical presentations.

3. Voodoo, Death and Monsters in New Orleans

With a 300-year history, you can bet New Orleans has a few ghost stories. Safe Travel partner Atlas Obscura often writes about unusual things to do in this Louisiana city: the tomb of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau, the collection of oddities at the Museum of Death, and a guided tour of Honey Island Swamp where you might catch a glimpse of a swamp monster with gray hair and yellow eyes. If you prefer to wait until after the Halloween holiday, Atlas Obscura offers a December trip to New Orleans focused on art and music.

4. Haunted Castle (and Jail) in North Wales

jail-cell

If you dare, Condé Nast Traveler offers a list of haunted hotels around the world. Ruthin Castle, built in 1277 in North Wales, is now a hotel and spa with some permanent guests, including the ghost of Lady Jane Grey, Henry VII’s great granddaughter. It is said she still “wanders the banquet hall and castle battlements. Even if you miss a run-in with the Lady’s ghost, you can still explore the castle’s objectively creepy dungeons, whipping pit and drowning pool.”

Nearby is the Ruthin Gaol, a site with a long history of misery and torment from its beginning as a house of corrections in 1775 to a four-story prison in 1878. Only one person is said to have been executed at the prison, William Hughes in 1903, and he still haunts his jail cell. A murdered prison guard, also named William, reportedly still makes his nightly rounds in the jail.

5. Haunted Spots in Ireland

Ireland-ruins

The Travel Channel has documented some of Ireland’s centuries-old castles, battle sites and cemeteries. From a haunted bed and breakfast in a stone castle (Ross Castle) to the ghost of a dog at his master’s headstone (Glasnevin Cemetery), Ireland’s history is steeped in tales of paranormal and superstition, according to The Irish Post. The newspaper details nine of Ireland’s most haunted spots, such as a bloody battlefield, an abbey with a screaming black hag, a lunatic asylum with some unhappy former residents and the grave of the first vampire, thought to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The sites are frequented by ghost hunters and many will let you accompany them on their paranormal tours.

6: Ghost Towns in Ukraine and the U.S.

Chernobyl-abandoned-court

The ultimate ghost town is Pripyat, Ukraine. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to see the site of Chernobyl, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. When a routine test at one of the power plant’s reactors went terribly wrong in April 1986, Pripyat was completely evacuated and more than 350,000 people relocated. Today, the town’s population is zero and tourists take two-hour guided tours to photograph the deserted streets, abandoned buildings, empty classrooms, lonely Ferris wheel, rusting vehicles and other discarded remnants of everyday life.

In the United States, ghost towns — now-abandoned gold and silver mining boomtowns — abound in the West. One popular destination is Bodie, California, which was once home to 10,000 people in the 1870s and 1880s. Now it’s a gold-mining ghost town, national historic site and state historic park with “some parts of the town preserved in a state of ‘arrested decay’ — tables with place settings and shops eerily stocked with supplies. Today this once thriving mining camp is visited by tourists, howling winds and an occasional ghost.”

Travel Protection Services for Every Trip

We’re not able to protect you from ghosts, ghoulies and other things that go bump in the night, but a Global Rescue travel protection membership can help you if you are ill or injured and unable to get to safety on your own. Whether you’re exploring haunted hotels in your hometown or taking a trip abroad to seek the paranormal, there’s no mileage restriction for our rescue services and you can always call us for medical advisory services.

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Is BASE Jumping Safe and Can I Travel To Do It?

You’re certainly welcome to go BASE jumping under a Global Rescue travel protection membership as we have no altitude or activity restrictions. In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of the extreme sport that involves pluckiness, a parachute, and taking a…

This post is part of the Global Rescue “No Restrictions” series, where we take a look at extreme sports and activities that many of our members have taken part in, or plan to. Unlike other providers, Global Rescue memberships do not exclude or restrict adventure activities, whether cave diving, sky diving, heli-skiing, BASE jumping and beyond.

You’ve likely seen at least one in the thousands of high-octane videos on YouTube: A person approaches the precipice of some sort of platform — maybe a 500-foot cliff, building or bridge — then, in the next stomach-churning moment, intentionally hurtle themselves off that precarious edge into empty space. Resembling some real-life version of superman, they freefall toward the earth, finally deploying a single parachute at, what feels like, the last second.

What is BASE jumping? Boiled down, it’s an extreme sport luring gutsy, adrenaline lovers to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world in search of the next great object to huck themselves from.

But if this fringe sport sounds intriguing to you, hold on for a moment while we cue a few disclaimers: BASE jumping is not for the faint of heart, and it’s illegal from many points especially within parks, and from bridges and buildings. Unlike bungee jumping or tandem skydiving, BASE jumping requires skill and even more training. It’s estimated that an accident is 43 times more likely to occur while taking part in this sport than skydiving.

If you still can’t fight the urge — or simply are just interested in getting the dirt on this gnarly sport — here’s the low-down on what it is, the basics, plus some of the most famous BASE-jumping destinations our members visit

A Brief History of BASE Jumping

base-jumping-countryside-cliff

The founding father of modern BASE jumping is the late Carl Boenish, a skydiver and filmmaker from California who was convinced that the ram-air parachutes (used in skydiving) could allow for a safe jump from high cliffs. In 1978, he proved it when he filmed himself and three other BASE pioneers (one of whom was his wife) safely launching and landing from the 3,000-foot iconic granite walls of Yosemite’s El Capitan.

Shortly thereafter, Boenish also coined the name. What does BASE jumping stand for? It’s an acronym for the four types of objects that jumpers leap from: buildings (monuments also fit in this category), antenna towers, spans (meaning bridges) and earth (think large natural formations, like cliffs, canyons, fjords and gorges).

Today, it’s hard to know exactly how many active BASE jumpers there are in the world as no official records are kept. However, in 2015, a veteran of the sport estimated that, worldwide, about 1,000 people jump weekly, another 1,500 do it once or twice a year and a total of about 10,000 have jumped at some point in their lives.

Skydiving Versus BASE Jumping

“Most people who become BASE jumpers are introduced to the sport because they are already skydivers looking for the next thrill,” explained Brandon Lillard, former BASE jumper and regular Global Rescue member. (He retired from the sport in 2014 after a jump in Utah almost resulted in his death — Global Rescue evacuated him.)

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That’s precisely how he was introduced to the sport. As an all-around waterman-turned-skydiver, his first BASE jumps were performed under some of the best mentors in the extreme sports industry: Erik Roner and Travis Pastrana. He estimates he performed 80 to 100 jumps before officially hanging up his BASE parachute. He still skydives, however.

But just because BASE jumping’s origins come from skydiving doesn’t mean they are one and the same. Here are the key differences.

Altitude: “Usually, when you’re skydiving, whether that’s out of a plane, helicopter or a hot air balloon, you’re jumping from a much higher altitude of 12,000 to 13,000 feet,” said Lillard. “Base jumping, since it’s from a static object, is from a much lower altitude.”
Many BASE jumps start out between 1,000 and 3,000 feet and you usually have less than 15 seconds to deploy your parachute. Skydivers usually open their chutes at around 2,000 feet, whereas in BASE jumping the minimum altitude is somewhere around 200 feet.
Parachutes: Unlike skydiving, which employs two parachutes (the main canopy and the backup reserve), BASE jumpers have just one. “That’s because the few seconds of freefall doesn’t allow for the additional complication to cutaway and deploy the reserve: There’s simply not enough time to deploy the backup if a malfunction occurs,” explained Lillard.
The design of the parachute is different, as well. A skydiving parachute employs a device called a slider, which slows the opening of the chute at a comfortable, gentle speed. A BASE jumping parachute — again, given the short amount of time they have — intentionally lacks this device as they must open fast and hard to fill with air before the freefall ends abruptly.
Way Less Margin for Error: Skydiving, simply put, is safer than BASE jumping. With regards to BASE jumping, there’s less time to act if something goes wrong. Jumpers have to be extremely precise in their exits and establish proper body position before they pull their chute as they could slam into the side of the object they jumped from. Such was the case for Lillard, whose parachute was tangled when deployed, causing him to repeatedly whip against the 300-foot cliff wall he had just launched from.

How Adrenaline Junkies Train for BASE Jumping

Learn How to Skydive: When it comes to how to get started in BASE jumping, you have to first learn how to skydive and you have to do it a lot. Your exiting and parachute piloting skills must be absolutely dialed in and skydiving allows you to work on those skills in a much more controlled and forgivable environment.
Find a First Jump Course: While many BASE jumpers find a local mentor and nearby antenna to do their first jump, First Jump Courses (FJC) are guided by multiple professionals. The key being multiple for the exposure to countless experts to gauge every possible insight and experience. First Jump Courses can be found all over the world (Nerve Rush maintains a comprehensive directory) with several taking place at the jump site of Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, including the courses offered by Apex BASE, Snake River Base Academy and Inter-Demented BASE Instruction with Sean Chuma.
Tap into the Community: Like any sport, extreme or not, the more you can lean on other experts for insight, the more you can learn and absorb. Forums like Basejumper.com allow for discussion and story-swapping online.

Top BASE Jumping Locations, Near and Far

base-jumping-in-Shanghai

While BASE jumping itself is legal, sometimes the locations used for jumps are restricted. That said, however, there is a wide swath of legal jumping locations around the world.

Perrine Bridge, U.S.: Spanning the Snake River on the northern edge of Twin Falls in Idaho, this 1,500-foot bridge is one of the few places in the U.S. where spontaneous jumpers can take a leap without first having to secure a permit.
Burj Khalifa, U.A.E.: You know it as the world’s tallest building, but BASE jumpers see it as the perfect launch point to freefall 2,700 feet over the city below. Permission is required to make a leap from the building, and it’s something only granted to the true pros.
Angel Falls, Venezuela: Located deep within the jungle of the Guiana Highlands, the world’s tallest waterfall boasts a vertical drop of 2,647 feet with strong winds and water spray that make the jump very technically difficult. Permit required.
Navagio Beach, Greece: Located on the northwest shore of Zakynthos island, a high cliff overlooks the soft sands and partially buried shipwreck of Navagio Beach. Jumpers must first scramble up the 656-foot (200-meter) cliff face, then, once they launch, have no more than five seconds to deploy their chute.
Kjerag Mountain, Norway: Located near Stavanger, the 3,642-foot (1,110-meter) mountain features a northern cliff that is one of the world’s most iconic jump sites, dropping 3,200 feet almost straight down into the valley below. It’s also home to The Heliboogie, an annual BASE jumping festival that gathers top jumpers from around the world.

No Restrictions on Activities

Whether you’re cave diving, BASE jumping, heli-skiing, skydiving, free diving or more, remember to plan, prepare and get a Global Rescue membership for peace of mind. Unlike other providers, Global Rescue memberships do not exclude or restrict adventure activities. It’s part of our “No Restrictions” approach to travel, and that includes COVID-19, too.  

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5 Best Predictions About Post-Pandemic Travel Changes

What will the future of travel look like after the pandemic? What kind of habits do we think future travelers will adopt? A cross-section of our Global Rescue experts and Safe Travel Partners serve up a few hypotheses.

We’ve seen how COVID-19 triggered the rise in domestic road trips, motivated people to opt for vacation rentals in remote locations, and renewed reliance on travel agents and advisors. Are there other habits travelers will adopt when it comes to the future of travel after the pandemic? Will they be short-term or long-lasting changes?

We asked our Safe Travel Partners and Global Rescue’s travel specialists — people who have kept their finger on the pulse of pandemic travel — to weigh in with their expert projections, professional insights, and data-driven theories.

Travelers Vetting Tour Operators More Than Ever

“From the outfitter side, I can already see that travelers are putting more emphasis on communication with an operator prior to booking — they are really doing their research, asking questions and getting the full picture in regards to safety measures in place, what the experience is going to be like and more.

“What used to take three-to-four back-and-forth emails to book a client on one of our charters is now more like five to six. When a potential client calls to learn about us, sometimes those calls last 20 to 40 minutes. Travelers really want to know they can trust who they are booking with, and I don’t see that going away once the pandemic ends. We’re already a high-touch company, but it will be important that other operators meet client expectations around increased communications.”

—Rick Lee, captain of Bonefish Hawaii and Fish Christmas Island who has been guiding fly-fishermen in the world’s top destinations for more than 30 years

Bleisure Becoming Bigger Than Ever

bleisure-travel

“Bleisure [a travel trend that refers to business travelers tacking leisure days onto a work-related trip] was popular prior to the pandemic. But now, as travel returns, I see it coming back even stronger as a major boon to the employer and employee.

“From the company side of things, it’s a way to incentivize and get your top employees back on the road and in the air again when permitted to add in some personal time; for the employee, it’s an opportunity to make up for some long-overdue leisure travel. It’s a win-win.”

—Stephanie Diamond, Global Rescue’s VP of Human Capital Manager and veteran international human resources expert

No More Excuses Putting Off Epic Trips

epic-travel-experiences

“After the unfortunate events of the last year-and-a-half grounded travel, I foresee more people finally ditching the excuses and making those big, experiential trips — the ones they’ve talked about for years — actually happen. I think the usual crutches, like that they’re too busy with work or kids or life, will subside — and they should, because there will never be a day where you have all your ducks in a row.

“As for the types of trips being taken, I don’t mean ‘big’ as in distance from home, but trips where they experience something epic, like summiting a major mountain or accomplishing or trying something they never thought possible. The pandemic showed us that life is very precious; now is the time to do these things.”

—Allison Fleece, co-founder of WHOA Travel and a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner

Disease Detection Tech Continuing to Flourish in Travel

“We’ll likely see devices to detect disease spring up in high-volume transportation areas the same way we saw backscatter X-ray and similar devices become commonplace following the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. The faster disease detection capabilities are deployed at strategic international terminals without impeding travel, the better.

“By leveraging emerging technologies and acting strategically, and collaboratively, we can make the future of business travel less speculative and more certain. Doing so would also stop the next pandemic.”

—Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue

Off-the-Grid Vacations for Digital Detox

going-off-the-grid-camping

“When leisure travel first started to rebound, there was a spike in people opting for vacations in remote and off-the-grid destinations because they were naturally conducive to social distancing.

“Now, even as vaccinations increase and there’s less need for distancing measures, I think off-the-grid travel will still be as popular — just, this time, it’s more for the lack of internet and cell service. I think people are looking for digital detoxes after being so tied to our devices, computer screens and streaming services during the pandemic. Remote getaways force a digital disconnection.”

—Jeff Weinstein, a Global Rescue medical operations supervisor, paramedic and wilderness safety expert

Whatever Trends Evolve, Travel Protection Services Are a Must

If there’s anything we’ve learned in the last year and a half is that the world is unpredictable. As a result, people are trying harder to plan appropriately — or “expect the unexpected.”

One of the best ways to do so when it comes to travel is with a Global Rescue travel risk and crisis management membership. Because emergency incidents do occur even in the most innocent and seemingly safe situations, whether a bicycle accident in a front yard residence abroad or a simple slip on a boat trip to a sudden collapsed lung while on a cruise.

When they do, Global Rescue — with its comprehensive list of services, including field rescue and medical evacuation, medical case management and 24/7/365 travel advisory services — is there for its members.

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Global Rescue’s 2021 Holiday Travel Gift Guide

Sustainable Sunglasses

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Traveler Confidence Surges, Travel Rebounds

COVID-19 fears subside, travelers are significantly less concerned about travel

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COVID-19 Positive and Symptomatic on Vacation? Global Rescue Medevacs You Home

Despite Being Careful, COVID-19 Strikes

A Higher Level of Care Was Called For

Great Inagua Island’s small clinic was not capable of providing the level of medical care appropriate for Dolly.

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How to Travel with a Dog (or Two)

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