Article Highlights:

  • Nearly one in four non-US travelers changed travel plans due to US international policies — twice the rate of Americans.
  • Women are more likely than men to alter itineraries and believe US travelers will face negative perceptions abroad.
  • Civil unrest in US cities has led nearly 20% of non-US travelers to postpone or cancel trips.
  • Most Americans (78%) say US policy changes haven’t affected their travel plans, revealing a domestic confidence gap.
  • Global travelers are increasingly considering travel security, international stability and trip insurance before departure.

 

 

Global travelers are increasingly divided over how US international policies and political tensions influence their travel plans. The Fall 2025 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey found that non-US respondents are more than twice as likely as Americans to change their destinations or cancel trips in response to US government actions or political climate shifts.

Nearly one in four non-US travelers (23%) said US international policy announcements have already impacted their travel decisions for the remainder of the year, compared to only 10% of American respondents. In contrast, 78% of US travelers reported that their plans remain unchanged.

“Travelers outside the United States are clearly more reactive to US international policies than Americans themselves,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “For many international travelers, geopolitical decisions and perceived instability are meaningful factors in whether, where and how they travel.”

 

Policy Anxiety and Travel Behavior

When asked how their plans have changed, 22% of non-US respondents said they are altering which countries or cities they visit, nearly double the 12% of Americans making similar adjustments. This disparity underscores how political sentiment and media portrayal influence international travelers’ sense of travel security more than domestic travelers realize.

Women are especially sensitive to these dynamics. Sixteen percent of female respondents reported modifying or reconsidering travel plans due to US policies, compared to 10% of men. Additionally, women were more likely to say they anticipate a decline in how Americans are perceived abroad, with 65% expecting negative shifts in international sentiment over the next year, compared to 59% of men.

That belief is shared by most travelers, regardless of nationality. In fact, a majority of both American and non-US respondents (61%) said they believe Americans will be viewed more negatively abroad in the coming months, a concern that blends perception with policy. Yet the data also marks a 15% improvement from the survey conducted in April 2025, when 72% of respondents anticipated a worsening perception of American travelers due to US policy initiatives.

“Perception and policy go hand in hand when it comes to global mobility,” said Richards. “Even if the world is open, travelers’ confidence often depends on how welcome they feel and how secure they perceive their journey to be.”

 

International Travelers More Cautious

While many travelers continue to fly, a significant portion are taking a more cautious approach to international travel. Roughly 63% of respondents said their overall likelihood to travel has not changed, but international travelers were noticeably more hesitant: nearly 14% said they are ‘much less likely’ to travel, compared to just 2% of Americans who reported the same.

For non-US travelers, confidence depends heavily on destination stability, geopolitical climate and local response to US actions. These travelers are not necessarily avoiding the US, but they are reassessing where and when they go — and taking extra precautions such as purchasing trip insurance or enrolling in specialized travel security services before departure.

The report also shows a broader behavioral shift toward risk awareness. From conflict zones to political protests, travelers are building contingency planning into their itineraries — evaluating how fast they could evacuate or whether medical care is accessible if something goes wrong.

 

Domestic vs. International Risk Perception

Civil unrest within US cities is another factor driving global caution. While most Americans view domestic protests and disruptions as part of civic expression, international travelers see them as potential threats to personal safety.

Only 30% of non-US respondents said their plans to visit the US remain unchanged. Nearly one in five (18%) said they have postponed or canceled trips entirely, citing safety concerns or uncertainty about the US political climate. By contrast, nearly 70% of American travelers said domestic unrest has had no impact on their own travel decisions.

This perception gap highlights how cultural familiarity affects travel confidence. Americans accustomed to domestic tensions may not perceive elevated risk, while non-US travelers interpret similar events as warning signs.

“Perceptions of safety and political stability are deeply personal and can differ sharply across borders,” Richards said. “For international travelers, US domestic unrest and global policy shifts appear to have a more direct effect on confidence and behavior than they do for Americans themselves.”

 

Trip Insurance vs. Traveler Protection

As global travel patterns evolve, traveler protection and traveler security memberships are becoming essential tools for mitigating risk. The data show a growing preference among international travelers for policies that include evacuation coverage, medical protection and security assistance — features that extend beyond traditional insurance reimbursement models.

Today’s travelers understand that emergencies abroad are not limited to illness or canceled flights. Political instability, natural disasters and civil unrest can create situations where medical evacuation or field rescue is necessary. Standard trip insurance often reimburses lost funds but does not provide real-time rescue or emergency transport — a critical gap that experienced travelers are now seeking to close.

As a result, more global travelers are combining trip insurance with specialized travel risk services such as Global Rescue membership, which ensures comprehensive protection that covers both financial loss and physical extraction if needed.

 

The Psychology of Travel Confidence

For decades, travelers measured safety primarily by destination reputation or government advisories. In the current global environment, perceived stability now carries equal weight with logistical safety. A city may be statistically safe but feel uncertain to travelers following political developments or watching protests unfold online.

That emotional perception impacts international travel just as much as official data. Travelers are reading news, tracking social sentiment and seeking out companies that provide medical, security and evacuation support. The result is a new kind of travel confidence, one built on information, access and reassurance rather than assumption.

“We’re entering an era where confidence, not cost, drives travel decisions,” said Richards. “Travelers are asking: ‘If something happens, will someone come for me?’”

 

The Global Rescue Connection

The Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals more than shifting opinions. It underscores the growing need for travel preparedness in a complex world. As policies fluctuate and public perceptions change, the security of every trip depends on how well travelers anticipate the unpredictable.

A Global Rescue membership provides the essential safety net for those traveling internationally, delivering field rescue, medical evacuation, medical advisory and security extraction services anywhere in the world. Unlike traditional trip insurance, which reimburses costs after an incident, Global Rescue deploys real-time support when travelers face emergencies, from political unrest and natural disasters to sudden illness or injury.

As international travelers weigh the impact of policy, perception and risk, one truth stands firm: the right preparation transforms uncertainty into confidence. Whether your journey takes you across the US or across the globe, a Global Rescue membership ensures that no matter what happens, help is always within reach.