Global travel safety concerns remain near universal in 2026

A new Global Rescue survey has shown almost no improvement in perceived travel safety heading into 2026, reinforcing a sustained high-risk outlook for insurers as geopolitical instability, conflict and crime continue to shape traveller behaviour and demand for medical and security support services. 

The Spring 2026 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey found that less than 1% of respondents say they are less or much less concerned about personal safety when travelling internationally. 

By contrast, 56% reported being more or much more concerned, while 42% said their level of concern has not changed, signalling a persistent baseline of elevated risk perception across global travel markets. 

Dan Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Global Rescue, said travellers are not seeing meaningful improvement in the underlying risk environment. 

“What we’re observing is a split between those who feel conditions are worsening and those who believe risks remain persistently elevated, but almost no one sees the world as getting safer,” he commented. 

The findings reflect ongoing geopolitical pressures, including the war in Ukraine, instability in parts of the Middle East, and organised crime linked to cartel activity in Latin America.  

For insurers operating in travel, health, and evacuation cover, these conditions continue to underpin sustained demand for crisis response, emergency medical transport, and security assistance services. 

The data also points to demographic variation in risk perception. A higher proportion of women reported increased concern at 61%, compared with 53% of men. Men were more likely to report no change in sentiment, at 45% versus 37% for women, suggesting differing levels of risk normalisation across traveller segments. 

Regional differences were less pronounced but still notable. In the US, 56% of respondents reported increased concern, broadly aligned with the global average. Among non-US travellers, 52% reported higher concern levels, with 45% unchanged. 

Across all groups, however, one trend remained consistent: a lack of any meaningful decline in perceived risk. 

Richards said this reflects a broader shift in mindset. 

“Stability in perception is not the same as confidence,” he pointed out. “When nearly half of travellers say their concerns haven’t changed, and virtually none say they’ve decreased, it tells you that elevated risk has become the baseline expectation.” 

Global Rescue, which provides medical, security, evacuation, and travel risk management services, surveyed more than 1,200 current and former members between 7–13 April 2026.