National Elections Abroad That Are Cautionary Destinations for Travelers
National Elections Abroad That Are Cautionary Destinations for Travelers
(Lebanon, N.H. – January 23, 2025) As global travel continues to recover, travelers should be aware of heightened risks associated with visiting countries experiencing potentially volatile national elections. Global Rescue, the world’s leading travel risk and crisis management firm, released its risk assessment for Countries with National Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in 2025.
“Elections, while a cornerstone of democracy, can sometimes lead to increased political unrest, demonstrations, and even violence,” said Kent Webber, senior manager of Intelligence Services at Global Rescue and a former senior intelligence operations officer in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence at the Pentagon. “Understanding these risks and preparing accordingly is vital for anyone planning to travel during such periods.”
The following four countries have significant risks of protest, violence, and unrest due to upcoming national elections. Each country is listed as “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution” by the U.S. Department of State.
Ecuador: Rising political tensions and allegations of corruption create an environment prone to demonstrations and instability. In January 2024, there was a series of attacks by organized criminal gangs, that resulted in the declaration of an internal armed conflict and the implementation of multiple states of emergency. While the situation has re-normalized, violence remains a concern. There was also a series of protests in late 2024 to oppose incumbent President Daniel Noboa’s policies, including the implementation of power cuts to conserve energy amid the ongoing drought. The first general election round is February 9 and the follow-up is April 13, 2025.
Tanzania: Human rights groups have raised concerns of repression, including arrests, abductions, and killings of opposition leaders and supporters. The next Presidential national election is scheduled for October 2025.
Ivory Coast: The 2020 presidential elections were accompanied by political and intercommunal violence resulting in the deaths of at least 50 people. A post-election conflict in 2010 resulted in the deaths of thousands. The next Presidential election is set for October 2025.
Kosovo: Protests are possible after the Central Election Commission declined to certify the Srpska Lista party, Kosovo’s main ethnic Serb party. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a violent war in 1998–1999. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and Serbs in northern Kosovo still see Belgrade as their capital and continue to demand autonomy. Previous elections have resulted in violence in northern Kosovo. The next Parliamentary election is not set.
Three countries with higher risk for election-related civil unrest that are already listed as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” countries by the U.S. Department of State.
Venezuela: Political instability and economic turmoil often culminate in unrest during electoral cycles. The next Parliamentary election is not set.
Belarus: Known for intense political suppression, past elections have triggered mass protests and government crackdowns, resulting in widespread instability. The Presidential election is set for January 26, 2025.
Iraq: There is a short and fraught history of democratic elections in Iraq. The next Parliamentary election is not set.
Countries with the least risks during elections include Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway – each of which have strong democratic processes, stable governance and a peaceful political culture.
A new set of travel risks is emerging. Geopolitical instability has overtaken other concerns, according to the world’s most experienced travelers. Issues such as political unrest, economic instability and conflict zones are driving travelers to take precautions that were once seen as optional.
“Travelers are saying the war, violent conflicts and civil unrest make it more likely they will add security extraction and advisory protection to their travel protection packages,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Travelers are improving their trip safety with security advisory and extraction protection, according to the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the world’s most experienced travelers reported they would obtain security extraction protection services if the U.S. State Department travel advisory assigned to the country they plan to visit was Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) or Level 2 (exercise increased caution).
“51% of respondents of a recent Global Rescue survey would obtain security extraction services when visiting high-risk regions with possible or ongoing conflicts or civil unrest,” Richards added.
For more information contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 202.560.1195.
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.
Travelers Cautiously Welcome the Middle East Ceasefire
Travelers Cautiously Welcome the Middle East Ceasefire
(Lebanon, N.H. – January 17, 2025) Israel and Hamas appear close to a ceasefire, potentially ending a 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip. The agreement, facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with U.S. support, has been cautiously welcomed by the world’s most experienced travelers, according to a snap survey by Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.
A fifth of survey respondents (22%) said, the ceasefire deal makes them more likely to consider a trip to Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East in 2025. The majority (62%) said the ceasefire deal does not make them more likely to consider a trip to Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East in 2025. Sixteen percent had no opinion.
“Israel and the Middle East are unique travel destinations, offering cultural, historical, and natural attractions, but the region’s risks make security considerations essential,” 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.
“While most travelers remain cautious, with a fifth saying it increases their likelihood of visiting, it also highlights the importance of including robust traveler protection and insurance,” Richards said.
“It also shows the incredible resilience of travelers to the region since 62% say a ceasefire will not impact their travel decisions.”
The Israel/Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread devastation in Gaza and Israel.
Contact
Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560-1195 (phone/text) for more information.
About the Global Rescue Traveler Snap Survey
Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, collected more than 1,000 responses from current and former members between January 16-17, 2025. The respondents revealed key insights and attitudes regarding travel to Israel and the Middle Ease following the announcement of the Israel/Hamas ceasefire agreement.
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.