International travel anxiety surges: Experts offer tips for feeling safer

Between the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and persistent cartel-related violence in parts of Mexico, international travelers are feeling a little rattled.

A new survey conducted by the global risk and response company Global Rescue reveals that "virtually no international travelers feel safer in 2026."

Experts at Global Rescue described their latest survey findings as "striking" and said the results underscore "how deeply risk has become embedded in the global travel mindset."

Additional results from the Spring 2026 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey include:

--Less than 1% of travelers say they are less or much less concerned about their personal safety when traveling internationally.

--56% report being more or much more concerned

--42% say their level of concern has not changed

Overall, the results seem to indicate "a stark divide between rising anxiety and sustained unease," according to Global Rescue.

"Travelers are not seeing improvement in the global risk environment," said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies.

"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," added Richards.

The divide becomes more pronounced when viewed across gender lines. In particular, 61% of women report being more or much more concerned, compared to 53% of men, highlighting a higher level of risk sensitivity among female travelers.

Meanwhile, men are more likely to report no change in their outlook, with 45% saying their level of concern is unchanged versus 37% of women, suggesting a greater degree of normalization among male respondents.

There also geographic differences in the responses, albeit more subtle, but revealing nevertheless.

Among U.S.-based respondents, 56% say they are more or much more concerned, closely mirroring the global average, while 41% report no change. Among non-U.S.-based respondents, meanwhile, concern is slightly lower but still dominant, with 52% reporting increased concern and 45% indicating no change.

Global Rescue's experts also pointed out that the absence of any meaningful decline in concern across all segments stands out.

According to the company, the data shows that while travelers may differ on whether risks are increasing or holding steady, there is near-universal agreement that they are not diminishing.

"When nearly half of travelers say their concerns haven't changed-and virtually none say they've decreased-it tells you that elevated risk has become the baseline expectation."

Taken together, the findings point to a global travel environment where elevated risk is no longer episodic-it is expected, concludes survey.

Anxiety plagues international travelers

The experts at travel insurance company Squaremouth told TravelPulse that they too are seeing significant anxiety among travelers. Most notably, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, the insurance provider experienced an 18-fold increase in customer service calls related to travel in the UAE and Dubai almost immediately.

"We've also seen a 27% rise in interest for Cancel for Any Reason insurance coverage since the start of March, which is a reliable signal that travelers want the ability to change plans if conditions worsen," said Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations for Squaremouth.

Philip Farina, an adviser on hotel security, travel safety and disaster preparedness, says the combination of the conflict in the Middle East, terrorism, riots and protests in locations around the world are causing understandable concern for those who travel internationally.

"The threat environment has increased dramatically. Travelers are certainly worried about heading out to specific locations where there are opportunities for increased incidents," explained Farina, founder and chief security and safety advisor for Risky Business.

In response to such fears, many travelers have been to pushing back travel plans in hopes that the violent events across the globe will be minimized in the future.

Safety measures for those traveling abroad

If international travel is in your future, whether for work or leisure, there are some steps you can take to help ensure a smoother experience, say experts.

Research your destination

First and foremost, experts stress the importance of being informed in advance about wherever you happen to be traveling.

"Know what the geopolitical climate and concerns are for your destination and for any hubs you may be traveling through," says Valdez.

To help with this effort, Farina suggests calling the hotel or Airbnb host ahead of your trip to ask about local conditions. Conducting an internet search about the areas you intend to travel to prior to and during your trip is another good step.

Remain informed while traveling

In addition to doing your research in advance, remain informed as you travel. This effort should include monitoring current events and advisories while traveling.

"Travelers who monitor conditions and advisories tend to feel more confident," continues Valdez. "U.S. travelers should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy for resources, and the U.S. State Department website for travel advisories, which are updated frequently."

To help with this effort, consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows U.S. citizens and nationals to register their trip abroad with the Department of State. If there's an emergency in the destination you're visiting, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, the Department of State will send an alert.

Avoid drawing attention to yourself

Also while in destination, avoid wearing any clothing, hats or apparel that supports international conflict or advertises a political party or movement, suggests Farina. And maintain a low profile.

"Stay aware of your surroundings and below the radar when you are out and about" advises Farina.

Know your rights

Finally, in the event that something does go wrong, it's important to understand what rights you have and have a plan.

At the most basic level that includes understanding what compensation or rebooking support may be available during airline delays and cancellations. More on these rights can be found here.

In terms your advance planning for an emergency, travel insurance can provide various benefits. Some of the coverages Valdez recommends for today's world include:

--Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR): These coverages provide travelers with the flexibility to cancel a trip for reasons not covered under standard plans, such as military action, airspace closures, acts of war, or general fear of traveling.

--Non-medical Evacuation: This benefit allows travelers to leave a destination due to political unrest, natural disasters, or safety concerns, even if there's not a medical emergency.

No matter what type of coverage you're interested in, timing surrounding when you purchase the insurance matters.

"Be sure to shop for it shortly after making your initial trip deposit, so all time-sensitive benefits are available to you," stresses Valdez.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM.