(Lebanon, NH – October 6, 2025) – Travelers may be logging more miles than ever, but one mistake continues to weigh them down—literally. According to the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, which has polled the world’s most experienced travelers for years, overpacking remains the most common traveler blunder.

A year ago, nearly one in three respondents (32%) admitted they brought too much luggage. That figure closely mirrors past results: 35% in September 2024, January 2024 and February 2023. The consistency underscores a persistent challenge—no matter how much travel evolves, packing light remains elusive.

“Overpacking is the single most consistent mistake we see, year after year. It’s a habit that adds stress and weight to a trip, when the real goal of travel should be freedom and discovery,” 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.

Psychologists and travel experts point to both practical and psychological reasons why travelers struggle to pack light. Anxiety about losing control, attachment to home, past negative experiences like forgotten essentials and unpredictable conditions all contribute to the habit of bringing more than necessary.

“Travelers often pack for their fears instead of their needs, and that’s why overpacking remains so persistent,” said Harding Bush, a former Navy SEAL and Global Rescue’s associate director of security operations.

Instead of reducing stress, overpacking often has the opposite effect. Heavier bags create physical burdens, extra luggage increases airline costs and delays, and the sheer volume of items to manage can overwhelm travelers.

“The irony is that overpacking, meant to reduce anxiety, often creates the very stress travelers are trying to avoid,” said Kelli Poole, Global Rescue sales manager and avid world traveler who has visited more than two dozen countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mozambique, Zambia, Canada, Norway, the Czech Republic and Iceland.

While overpacking is the most common mistake, underpacking can be equally disruptive if essentials are left behind. Experts agree that the best approach is to strike a balance: pack intentionally, prioritize versatile items, and include only the “just in case” extras that genuinely add value.

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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 provider of travel risk and crisis response, has conducted traveler surveys for decades. The Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey collects insights from the world’s most experienced travelers—current and short-term members of Global Rescue – who share behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding travel safety, planning and experiences.

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.