The travel landscape is shifting dramatically in 2025. According to the Global Rescue Winter 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, travelers are approaching their adventures with newfound caution and adjusting their trip-planning priorities. The desire for high-risk travel adventures is plummeting. More than half of surveyed travelers (59%) have no plans to visit riskier destinations in 2025. This represents a 145% spike in risk aversion when compared to just 24% of travelers who avoided riskier destinations in 2023.
Only 22% of travelers are planning high-adrenaline adventures this year, a significant 35% drop from the 34% who anticipated riskier trips in 2023.
“The data reflects a growing trend where travelers are prioritizing safety and predictability over thrill-seeking experiences,” 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. For experienced travelers, security remain top priorities. Safety remains the top factor influencing international travel decisions, with 50% of travelers prioritizing safety over cost, weather, accessibility, and language barriers.
As 2025 unfolds, travelers are becoming more risk-conscious and selective about their experiences. While adventure-seeking has declined, comfort, safety, and strategic trip planning are now top priorities. Global Rescue continues to answer the service needs of travelers without any disruptions.
In a representative 30-day period, Global Rescue reconciles hundreds of operations in dozens of countries. Below are highlights from some of our most recent operations in various locations.
Paragliding Crash in New Mexico
A member from Oregon sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a femoral fracture, mild spleen bleeding, and a pneumothorax, after a paragliding accident in Santa Fe, Mexico. He underwent surgery for femoral shaft repair at Centro Medico ABC. Due to his medical condition, Global Rescue arranged a business class flight for his return to Portland, Oregon, along with medical transport assistance. He successfully arrived back home where he continued his recovery with family support.
Irregular Heartbeat on Aconcagua
A member from Houston required evacuation from Plaza de Mulas in Mendoza Province, Argentina, after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. An ECG detected an arrhythmic pulse, prompting an evacuation order. He was airlifted to Horcones and transported by ambulance to Hospital Santa Isabel de Hungría, where he was evaluated and later discharged.
Snowmobile Crash in Yellowknife
A Canadian member suffered a lower back injury after being thrown from a snowmobile into a tree in Yellowknife, Canada. He experienced worsening pain, tingling, and loss of bowel control. Due to limited medical facilities, a helicopter evacuation was arranged to Stanton Territorial Hospital. Imaging revealed strained muscles, and he was discharged with medication.
Collapse on Kilimanjaro
A trekking member from Dubai fell ill at Karanga Camp on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. She was unable to walk and had low urine output. Due to concerns of AMS and dehydration, Global Rescue arranged a helicopter evacuation to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with gastritis and mild HAPE. After receiving treatment, she was discharged and monitored for recovery.
Motorcycle Crash in Papua New Guinea
A member from Los Angeles sustained a tibia-malleolus fracture following a motorcycle accident in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Due to limited medical facilities, he was transported to Lae for evaluation. Given concerns about the local diagnosis, Global Rescue arranged a business class flight for his return to Los Angeles for further orthopedic assessment.
HAPE on Aconcagua
A member from Bangladesh fell ill while at Plaza de Mulas in Mendoza Province, Argentina. He was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and moderate acute mountain sickness (AMS) after experiencing severe headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Due to the severity of his symptoms, Global Rescue arranged a helicopter evacuation from Plaza de Mulas to Horcones, followed by ground ambulance transport to Hospital Santa Isabel de Hungría in Mendoza. After receiving treatment, the member’s condition improved significantly, and he was discharged with home medications to continue his recovery in Mendoza.
Lung Puncture From Motorcycle Accident in Mexico
A U.S. member sustained multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident in El Comitán, Mexico, including three fractured ribs and a suspected lung puncture. He underwent surgery for chest tube placement at Central de Especialidades Médicas de La Paz. Due to concerns over local medical facilities, Global Rescue arranged an air ambulance transport for his transfer to AdventHealth Littleton Hospital in Denver. He was admitted for further care and continued his recovery.
Severe Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro
A member from Papua New Guinea required evacuation from Barranco Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, after experiencing severe symptoms of HAPE. He was transported via helicopter to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with mild HAPE. After receiving treatment, he was discharged and later confirmed his recovery and plans to return home.
The Global Rescue Connection
With Global Rescue, there are no activity restrictions. It doesn’t matter if you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, paragliding in South America or motorcycling overland in Mongolia. A membership protects you regardless of your adventure activities.
“We’ve rescued injured climbers stuck in a remote Pakistan mountain range, an adventure racer suffering a dangerous infection in Fiji, a group of Middlebury College students caught up in the civil unrest known as Arab Spring, and honeymooners from Nepal following a massive earthquake,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.
Global Rescue continues to expand and enhance its services for the climbing and trekking community by increasing our capabilities to provide emergency services in more regions, committing to longer deployments of our medical operations personnel, and extending our in-field rescue operational durations. For example, we deploy operations professionals to Nepal and Aconcagua during the climbing season and will do so for longer periods and in other locations popular with climbers.
Implementing the High-Altitude Evacuation Package and making it available to members 16 years of age and older who travel above 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness enables us to continue enhancing our current service capabilities for the climbing and trekking community worldwide.
