Visiting a new country, destination or continent is the top travel resolution for 2026, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. That signals a strong appetite for exploration and global mobility despite ongoing uncertainty in the travel environment.
Overall, 41% of respondents say their most important 2026 travel resolution is to visit someplace new. The desire for exploration is particularly pronounced among women, with 46% citing new destinations as their top priority compared to 40% of men. The gap widens geographically: 54% of non-US travellers prioritize visiting new destinations, versus 38% of US travellers.
US respondents are more focused on increasing the frequency of travel, with 21% naming “travel more” as their top resolution, compared to 15% of non-US travellers.
“Travellers are clearly prioritizing discovery in 2026… whether it’s a first-time destination or an entirely new region,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies.
Off-peak travel becomes the new normal
While bold exploration is top of mind, most travellers are not dramatically changing when they travel. A majority, 57%, say they expect to travel internationally during off-peak or ‘hidden’ seasons about the same as before, but 34% say they are more likely to do so in 2026.
Women are more inclined toward off-peak travel, with 39% saying they are more likely to travel during hidden seasons, compared to 33% of men. US travellers express greater hesitation, with 10% saying they are less likely to travel off-peak, compared to just 1% of non-US travellers.
“Hidden-season travel offers fewer crowds and often better value, but it can also mean limited infrastructure and reduced local services,” Richards said. “Travellers need to balance opportunity with risk awareness.”
Lesser-known destinations strongly preferred
Destination choice further underscores the shift toward exploration. More than half of all respondents, 52%, say they prefer lesser-known international destinations with fewer crowds in 2026. Only 12% favour well-known destinations with established tourism, while 27% report no strong preference.
Women overwhelmingly favour lesser-known destinations, with 63% selecting this option compared to 49% of men. Non-US travellers, at 55%, also show a stronger preference for emerging or less crowded destinations than US travellers, at 52%.
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