(Lebanon, NH – August 18, 2025) – Fifty-one percent of international travelers report using a satellite phone or messaging device during a trip, and off-grid travel is the leading reason why, according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey.

Men were 44% more likely than women to have used a satellite device (56% vs. 39%). Among travelers aged 35 to 54, 55% reported satellite device usage — the highest of any age group — compared to 48% of those under 35 and 50% of those 55 and older.

“The use of satellite devices is growing among remote and adventure travelers,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “But we’re also seeing a generational difference in how travelers access these tools — whether they buy, rent or borrow them.”

Among those who used a satellite device:

  • 44% used it for off-grid travel
  • 17% used it during an emergency
  • 14% used it for real-time location tracking or check-ins

Younger travelers under 35 were nearly three times more likely to use satellite communication for real-time check-ins (31%) than those aged 55+ (11%). By contrast, older travelers were more likely to use it during emergencies or just to stay in touch.

When it comes to access:

  • 49% of travelers own a satellite phone or device
  • 19% borrow one
  • 24% rent one

Travelers under 35 were 140% more likely to borrow a satellite device (29%) than those 55 and older (12%), and 75% less likely to rent one (6% vs. 27%).

Ownership rates were highest among 35 to 54-year-olds (55%) and lowest among women (44%). U.S. and non-U.S. travelers reported similar ownership rates (49%).

Only 5% of travelers said they plan to buy a satellite device. However, younger travelers under 35 are eight times more likely to plan a purchase (24%) than travelers aged 55 and older (3%). Still, most travelers — regardless of age, gender or location — say they are not planning to buy one, with 68% overall saying no and another 27% saying they are considering it.

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For more information contact: Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 2,900 current and former members between June 24–30, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes, and preferences regarding current and future travel.

About Global Rescue

Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.