(Lebanon, N.H. – June 26, 2025) — Despite the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, international travelers remain deeply concerned about safety and accessibility in nearby regions — including the Middle East, Mediterranean, and parts of Europe — according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey.

Nearly 80% of travelers (78%) said they are either “very concerned” (23%) or “somewhat concerned” (55%) about the impact of geopolitical instability on their travel plans through the end of 2025. While the ceasefire has eased immediate tensions, it has not fully restored traveler confidence.

So far, only 6% of travelers have canceled or changed plans, but 12% are delaying decisions until regional conditions stabilize further. A significant 42% are actively avoiding specific countries, while 40% are watching the situation closely and may adjust plans depending on how events develop.

“Even after a ceasefire, the impact on traveler psychology lingers,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “People are weighing risk more carefully, and safety continues to drive travel decisions.”

Women vs. Men: A Significant Gap in Traveler Caution

The survey revealed notable differences between male and female travelers regarding perceptions of safety.

More than one-third of women (35%) report being “very concerned” about regional safety — nearly double the percentage of men (19%). Over half of women (52%) say they are actively avoiding specific countries, compared to 39% of men.

Women are also more likely to delay travel decisions, with 16% indicating they are waiting to see how the situation develops versus 11% of men. Meanwhile, men are more than twice as likely to report no concern at all regarding regional safety (22% vs. 9%).

“Ceasefires help reduce immediate risk, but they don’t erase long-standing safety perceptions,” Richards said. “Women, in particular, remain highly aware of how geopolitical instability can affect their safety abroad.”

U.S. vs. Non-U.S. Travelers: Caution is Global

Travelers across the globe are similarly cautious, regardless of nationality.

Among U.S. travelers, 23% report being “very concerned” and 56% “somewhat concerned” about travel risks in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe for the rest of 2025. The sentiment is nearly identical among non-U.S. travelers, with 23% “very concerned” and 55% “somewhat concerned.”

When it comes to avoiding destinations, 43% of Americans say they are steering clear of specific countries, compared to 38% of non-U.S. travelers. Non-U.S. travelers are slightly more likely to say the conflict does not influence their destination choices (15%) compared to U.S. travelers (11%).

“Even in periods of calm, travelers are taking a measured approach,” Richards added. “They understand that the return to normal travel conditions often lags behind political developments.”

Security Membership Demand Surges as Travelers Prioritize Safety

Security membership purchases among the world’s most experienced travelers have surged. Year-to-date purchases in 2025 are up 26% compared to the same period in 2024, with the most dramatic spike occurring during the week of June 16 to June 22, when purchases jumped 41% over the same week last year.

“Travelers are no longer willing to risk being caught unprepared in a conflict zone,” said Richards, who is also a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “They want the ability to make a single phone call and have a team of security professionals mobilized to help them. That’s exactly what a Global Rescue security membership provides.”

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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 2,000 current and former members between June 24-25, 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.