NEWS

(Lebanon, N.H. – July 16, 2024) Tourists are easy targets for scammers, pickpockets and thieves. However, the latest survey of the world's most experienced travelers revealed expert tips to protect your money, credit cards, and passport when traveling internationally. Most travelers reported splitting their valuables was one of the leading methods to prevent losing everything at once due to loss or theft, according to the Summer 2024 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. "Separating and securing your valuables ensures that if a thief nabs a shoulder bag or a pickpocket steals your wallet you still have access to some of your money, credit cards and duplicates of other important documents," said Harding Bush, associate director of Security Operations at Global Rescue, the world's leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. The survey revealed some distinctions between how male and female travelers protect their valuables. While 26% of male travelers said splitting their valuables to prevent losing everything was their top choice, slightly more female respondents (30%) used the same method – but it was not their leading option. Women responding to the survey favored different protection methods compared to men. Nearly a third (31%) of female travelers chose a crossbody purse or bag as their number one method to protect valuables from loss or theft. Only 5% of men identified a crossbody bag as their preferred anti-theft method. A fifth of male respondents (22%) revealed that using zippered pockets was their runner-up way to keep valuables safe during travel. "Travelers wearing clothing with zippered pockets or pockets on the inside, like a vest or a sport coat, make it difficult to snatch a wallet," Bush said. Strikingly, more than twice the percentage of men surveyed said they don't use any method to protect their valuables compared to their female counterparts. One out of four male survey respondents (25%) don't have a method to preserve their valuables compared to less than 10% of women who do. Other methods used by the world's most experienced travelers include money belts (10%), travel wallets (5%), fanny packs or waist packs (3%), backpack locks (2%), undercover leg or wrist wallets (1%) and dummy wallets (<1%). No one opted for shoes with hidden compartments. ###ContactBill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560-1195 (phone/text) for more information. About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,100 of its current and former members between July 9-13, 2024. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel. About Global Rescue The Global Rescue Companies are 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.

(Lebanon, N.H. – July 1, 2024) Millions of international visitors are expected to travel to Paris to experience the 2024 Summer Olympics, running from July 26 to August 11. But many experienced travelers are opting out to sidestep the masses, bypass potential civil unrest, or simply explore new destinations.

"Nearly nine-out-of-10 travelers surveyed are avoiding Paris altogether in 2024 due to a combination of traveler safety concerns due to the possibility of protests and civil unrest, a desire to avoid the crowds expected at the summer Olympic Games host city, or simply a preference to travel elsewhere,” according to 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.

But among the world's most experienced travelers making the trip to France to join the quadrennial international sports competition spectacle revealed they expect massive traffic issues, dread encountering bedbugs, and worry over the prospects of petty crime, labor strikes and terrorism.

"Civil unrest and terrorism have surpassed injury or illness as the biggest fear about international travel for the first time in years. It is understandably contributing to traveler preferences for safer destinations," Richards said.

Criminals will take advantage of the influx of tourists during the Olympics to engage in fraudulent activities such as fake ticket sales, pickpocketing, or identity theft. "Blending in will be difficult for Olympic spectators from other countries, but they can tone down the typical tourist look and reduce the risk of scam artists targeting them for fraudulent schemes or petty crimes," said Harding Bush, a former Navy SEAL and associate director for security operations at Global Rescue.

Travelers attending the Olympics will likely experience additional potential challenges due to labor strikes, bedbugs, and getting to and from event venues, hotels and restaurants.

Protests, demonstrations, or worker walk-outs can disrupt transportation services and public safety. Bedbug infestations occur in places where there is a high turnover of people and frequent travel, such as hotels and accommodations popular with tourists. Travelers can take precautions, like inspecting bedding and surrounding areas, to reduce the risk of encountering parasitic insects.

The famous Paris metro and bus systems are expected to face challenges during peaks in demand as fans enter and leave stadiums. Driving around Paris will be dicey due to planned road closures, especially near famous landmarks. Authorized taxis are available, but an increase in fakes with drivers looking to take advantage of travelers has been reported.

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About Global Rescue    

The Global Rescue Companies are 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. 

(Lebanon, N.H. – June 20, 2024) The first named storm of the 2024 season -- Alberto -- landed in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico in what experts predict will be a record number of hurricanes.

“Weather tracking technology allows people to track hurricanes well in advance of landfall, giving them ample time to prepare their homes and evacuate, if needed,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. “Nevertheless, every year there’s are some who stay put because they are unwilling or unable to do otherwise.”

Global Rescue outlines five hurricane survival tips as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year.

NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts a range of 17 to 25 total named storms.

The following five tips will help residents and travelers prepare for a hurricane and post-storm survival:

• Evacuate if you can. If officials issue an evacuation order, don’t ignore it. Follow instructions issued by local officials.
• Know where to get hurricane information. You can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your mobile phone from the National Weather Service.
• Pack a small “go bag” that is easily carried, such as a small backpack, in case you are forced to leave quickly. Make sure it includes a change of clothes, toiletries, extra medications and important personal documents and identifications. Have cash in small denominations on hand. Be sure to inform friends and family of your plans.
• Know your shelter options. If you do have to evacuate, make sure you know your evacuation routes and your destination. Airports, inland hotels on high ground are good options. If you are sheltering in place, be prepared. Stay away from windows, close the heavy drapes to protect from shattering glass and take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway.
• Keep your devices charged. Power could go out for days, or longer, following a hurricane. It all depends on the local infrastructure. Wherever you are, it’s imperative to have multiple backups for charging your phone, tablets or laptops so you can stay connected to emergency services.

Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. As water from the ocean pushes toward the shore from the force of the winds, storm surges can demolish buildings, undermine roads and erode coastlines. “Even if you’re not located directly on the coast, damage from a storm surge can occur more than 100 miles inland. The results can be catastrophic,” Richards said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

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.

(Lebanon, N.H. – May 24, 2024) Global Rescue, the leading provider of travel risk management services, outlines five hurricane survival tips as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season, according to officials.

NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms. Of those, up to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes, including up to 7 becoming major hurricanes. A Category 1 hurricane generates tropical winds of 74 miles per hour or more along with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. In a Category 5 hurricane, wind speeds can easily double to devastating gusts of nearly 160 miles per hour.

“Weather tracking technology allows people to track hurricanes well in advance of landfall, giving them ample time to prepare their homes and evacuate, if needed,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. “Nevertheless, every year there’s are some who stay put because they are unwilling or unable to do otherwise.”

The following five tips will help residents and travelers prepare for a hurricane and post-storm survival:

• Evacuate if you can. If officials issue an evacuation order, don’t ignore it. Follow instructions issued by local officials.
• Know where to get hurricane information. You can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your mobile phone from the National Weather Service.
• Pack a small “go bag” that is easily carried, such as a small backpack, in case you are forced to leave quickly. Make sure it includes a change of clothes, toiletries, extra medications and important personal documents and identifications. Have cash in small denominations on hand. Be sure to inform friends and family of your plans.
• Know your shelter options. If you do have to evacuate, make sure you know your evacuation routes and your destination. Airports, inland hotels on high ground are good options. If you are sheltering in place, be prepared. Stay away from windows, close the heavy drapes to protect from shattering glass and take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway.
• Keep your devices charged. Power could go out for days, or longer, following a hurricane. It all depends on the local infrastructure. Wherever you are, it’s imperative to have multiple backups for charging your phone, tablets or laptops so you can stay connected to emergency services.

"Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today," said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks. "Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail.”

Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. As water from the ocean pushes toward the shore from the force of the winds, storm surges can demolish buildings, undermine roads and erode coastlines. “Even if you’re not located directly on the coast, damage from a storm surge can occur more than 100 miles inland. The results can be catastrophic,” Richards said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

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.