Lebanon, N.H., February 8, 2017 — Global Rescue, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals, today released results of the Global Rescue 2017 Travel Safety Survey. The data reveals that a clear majority (84%) have concerns for their safety for 2017 travel. Among participants expressing some level of concern, more highlighted Europe compared to Africa and the Middle East.

Top findings include:

  • Travelers have concerns, but are likely to travel anyway. Eighty-four percent (84%) of respondents are at least “Somewhat concerned” about travel safety in 2017, including 32% who say they are at least “Concerned” or “Very concerned.” One in four respondents (26%) say they are more concerned about travel safety in 2017 compared to 2016. However, despite these concerns, nearly all (96%) say it is either “Likely” or “Very likely” they will travel in 2017.

 

  • Concerns emerge about travel to Europe. Europe has emerged as a top-three destination in terms of concerns, along with Africa and the Middle East. Intensity of concern is significantly greater in the Middle East, though in terms of overall concerns, Europe leads the way.
    Among respondents who expressed some level of concern (i.e. “Somewhat concerned,” “Concerned,” or “Very concerned”), 75% pointed to Europe, followed by Africa (73%) and the Middle East (73%). However, intensity of concern is highest in the Middle East, with 45% “Very Concerned.”

 

  • Terrorism remains top of mind when it comes to travel threats in 2017. Terrorism ranks among the top perceived threat to respondents, with 55% ranking it as either first or second on a list of the greatest threats they see while traveling in 2017. Forty-four percent (44%) of respondents rated health/medical issues as a top-two threat, and 37% ranked crime as a top-two threat. Traffic accidents, which is the leading cause of death for US citizens abroad, was fourth, with 23% rating it as a top-two threat. This highlights the incongruity between actual threats (measured by US citizen deaths overseas) and perceived threats. In other words, travelers appear most concerned about terrorism when in reality the odds are extremely low that they will actually be affected.

 

“The world is an increasingly unpredictable place,” said Global Rescue CEO and founder Dan Richards. “The good news is that despite their fears, most travelers are continuing to travel. It is more likely that a car accident or a slip-and-fall will derail a vacation than a terrorist attack, but as evidenced by recent terrorist activity in Europe and other places historically considered “safe,” terrorism is a legitimate safety concern.

 

Despite perceptions of risk from terrorism, it accounts for only about 3% of U.S. citizen deaths overseas, according to US Department of State figures. According to the data, vehicle accidents (30%), homicides (19%), and even suicides (14%) account for many more U.S. citizen deaths overseas.

 

The Global Rescue 2017 Travel Safety Survey was conducted December 28, 2016, through January 14, 2017. The study is based on a survey of 1,000 current and former Global Rescue members ages 25 to 70 or older, with household incomes of $35,000 to $200,000 or more.

 

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. The Company 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 decade. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.