When it comes to fantasy travel companions, most travellers want expertise and conversation over glitz and glamour, according to a recent survey by Global Rescue. Among the top celebrity dream companions were Rick Steves, Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, and Robert De Niro.
More than one in six respondents (17%) in the latest Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey said they would most like to travel with travel expert Rick Steves, who topped the list for both men and women and was especially popular among US travellers (22%). Women (23%) were even more enthusiastic about Steves than men (15%), reflecting a preference for cultural exploration and authentic experiences over celebrity status.
Among women, Oprah Winfrey (10%) and Taylor Swift (6%) were next most popular, while men were more inclined toward Rory McIlroy (5%), Robert De Niro (7%) and Willie Nelson (6%).
Internationally, Robert De Niro was the clear favourite (13%) among non-US respondents, followed by Taylor Swift (8%) and Halle Berry (7%).
“Travel is personal. Whether someone wants deep cultural insight from Rick Steves, creative inspiration from Taylor Swift, or worldly storytelling from Robert De Niro, the choices say a lot about how travellers view the journey itself,” said Bill McIntyre, Global Rescue director of communications.
When asked where they would go with their dream celebrity companion, travellers revealed a mix of wanderlust and worldliness. Istanbul (11%) and Paris (9%) were the most popular destinations overall, followed closely by London (9%) and Dubai (8%).
Women favoured Istanbul (15%) and Paris (11%), while men leaned slightly more toward London (9%) and Dubai (8%). Non-US travellers preferred Istanbul and Singapore, while Americans gravitated toward Paris and Istanbul.
“These responses show that travellers remain inspired by destinations rich in culture, history and global connectivity,” McIntyre said. “Even in fantasy travel, people are thinking about real-world experiences — places that combine beauty with meaning.”
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