Travelers concerned about civil unrest, terrorism
Far above accidents or injuries, people are most worried about civil unrest and terrorism while traveling, according to risk management company Global Rescue Companies’ Winter 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
The poll, which asked over 1,500 current and former Global Rescue members about their travel concerns in late January, revealed that 36% of travelers are most concerned with civil unrest and terrorism, a threefold increase from spring 2023.
One quarter of respondents are most worried about being in an accident or getting sick during their trip, a decrease from the spring 2023 survey, in which 50% of travelers reported this as their biggest concern.
Seven to 9% of travelers reported trip cancellations, robbery or theft as their biggest concerns, while 5% feared testing positive for COVID-19 and increasing natural disasters.
Additionally, 34% of people noted that global crises such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza are more likely to encourage them to purchase extra travel protection that involves security extraction.
“We’re seeing an understandable increase in traveler concern worldwide. Nevertheless, international trip takers continue to travel anyway despite the rising threats of civil unrest, war, and terrorism,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the Department of Commerce.
“Traveler uncertainty generally increases traveler demand for emergency medical and security services,” Richards said. “Last year, traveler purchases of security
and extraction services increased by 36%, and we expect that will continue in 2024. We’ve seen this
traveler behavior since the war in Ukraine, and we’re seeing it continue following the attacks on Israel.”