A majority of travellers believe international travel in 2026 will be either more dangerous or increasingly unpredictable compared to pre-2020 travel, underscoring persistent global security concerns and heightened risk awareness, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey.
Overall, 38% of travellers say international travel danger in 2026 will be unpredictable, while 36% believe it will be more dangerous. Only 1% believe international travel will be less dangerous, and 21% say it will be neither more nor less dangerous than before 2020.
“Travellers are signaling that uncertainty, not just risk, is shaping their decisions,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies. “Unpredictability is now viewed as the defining feature of international travel, and that has serious implications for preparedness and resilience.”
Men are more likely than women to view international travel as more dangerous, with 38% of men selecting that view compared to 30% of women. Women, however, are significantly more likely to describe international travel as unpredictable, at 49% versus 38% of men. Men are also more likely to believe conditions are neither better nor worse, at 26% compared to 19% of women.
Geographic differences highlight sharper concern among non-U.S. travellers. Nearly half of non-US respondents (49%) say international travel danger in 2026 will be unpredictable, compared to 34% of U.S.-based respondents. US travellers are more likely to believe travel will be more dangerous, at 38% versus 33% of non-U.S. respondents.
Concerns about personal security risks are widespread, particularly around kidnapping, extortion and violent crime. Overall, 82% of travellers express some level of concern when travelling internationally, including 42% who are slightly concerned, 29% who are moderately concerned and 10% who are very concerned. Only 15% say they are not at all concerned.
“Kidnapping and extortion are no longer viewed as rare or isolated risks,” Richards said. “Travellers increasingly understand these threats can affect leisure, business and adventure travel alike.”
Women report slightly higher levels of concern than men: 12% of women say they are very concerned about kidnapping or extortion, compared to 9% of men. Men are more likely to say they are not at all concerned (21%) versus 13% of women. U.S. and non-U.S. travellers show similar concern levels, though non-U.S. travellers are more likely to be very concerned, at 13% compared to 10% of US travellers.
Expert warnings about ongoing conflict, organized crime and political instability in specific regions are strongly influencing traveller behavior and reinforcing perceptions that certain destinations will remain dangerous or high risk in 2026.
Nearly 67% of travellers say they would either avoid travel to Israel and neighbouring states entirely or do not plan to travel there regardless of security conditions. Another 17% say they would postpone travel until conditions stabilize, while only 5% would travel as planned and accept the risk.
Mexico presents a more nuanced picture. While 25% say they would avoid travel to Mexico altogether, 36% would travel only to specific areas with added precautions. Another 23% say they are not interested in traveling to Mexico regardless of security risks, reflecting a cautious but differentiated approach.
Colombia faces similarly restrained interest: 36% of travellers say they would avoid travelling to Colombia, while 42% say they have no plans or interest in travelling there regardless of security challenges. Only 5% say they would travel as normal and assume risks are manageable.
“These regional responses reinforce why travellers view the global risk environment as unstable,” Richards said. “People are not disengaging from international travel, but they are far more selective, informed and risk-aware.”
When asked to rate their overall international travel safety confidence on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being “completely confident to travel boldly” and 10 being extremely concerned about personal travel safety) travellers clustered toward a “3 to 3.5,” indicating moderate unease.
“Travel in 2026 will reward preparation,” Richards said. “Those who understand the risks, plan accordingly and secure professional support will be best positioned to travel safely in an unpredictable world.”
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