[February 07, 2018] |
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Global Rescue 2018 Travel Safety Survey: Concerns for Terrorism High, Nuclear Attack Low
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 2018 Travel
Safety Survey. Overall, a majority of respondents (82%) expressed
concerns for their safety during anticipated 2018 travel. Nineteen
percent (19%) are more concerned about travel safety in 2018 compared to
2017.
Top survey findings:
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Terrorism remains the top-ranked travel threat in 2018. Fifty
percent (50%) of respondents ranked terrorism among the top perceived
threats, ranking it as either first or second on a list of potential
threats to 2018 travel. Thirty-nine percent (39%) rated health/medical
issues as a top-two threat, and 37% ranked crime as a top-two threat.
Traffic accidents ranked fourth, with 18% rating it as a top-two
threat, followed by civil unrest (17%) and cybersecurity/identity
theft (12%). Natural disaster was ranked a top-two threat by 6%
respondents.
Despite heightened awareness of the threat of
a nuclear attack, including announced plans for nuclear preparedness
training by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only
5% of survey respondents ranked nuclear attack as a top-two threat.
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Nearly one in five are more concerned about 2018 versus 2017. Eighty-two
percent (82%) of respondents expressed some degree of concern
for travel safety in 2018, including 30% who say they are "Concerned"
or "Very concerned." Nineteen percent (19%) indicated greater concern
about travel safety this year compared to 2017.
A majority
of survey participants (51%) noted that travel concerns would somewhat
impact their 2018 travel. Eight percent (8%) responded that thei
travel would be significantly affected.
"Sadly, we don't
feel safe traveling to places of interest, such as Iran, Egypt,
Russia. The world we feel comfortable to travel in has shrunk in the
past 10-15 years," noted one survey participant. Another commented,
"Globally we plan to only travel in North America or Western EU for
the foreseeable future due to political, civil, and other significant
uncertainties that many countries are struggling with managing."
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Concerns remain high about travel to Europe. Europe remains a
top-three destination for travelers' concerns, along with the Middle
East, followed by Africa. Among respondents who expressed some level
of concern, 73% pointed to Europe and 73% to the Middle East, followed
by Africa (71%). Intensity of concern is highest in the Middle East,
with 45% indicating "Very Concerned."
One respondent
commented, "Going to France this year and fairly worried about being
in the wrong place at the wrong time. Less worried about Brazil/Amazon
than France. Who would have thought that a few years ago?"
Thirty-seven
percent (37%) are at least somewhat concerned about travel in North
America in 2018. According to one respondent, "Only concerned when we
go to America. No concern here in Asia."
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Greater concern for personal and family travel compared to business
travel. Respondents who expressed some level of concern indicated
that personal travel (76%) and family travel (66%) were more
concerning than business travel (39%) in 2018.
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Research, research, research. What will travelers do
differently in 2018? Forty-eight percent (48%) responded "Do more
research." Nearly one in four (22%) will change travel destinations,
while 24% intend to prepare for a possible crisis.
Despite perceived travel safety issues, nearly all respondents (96%) say
that they are likely or very likely to travel in 2018.
"People tend to react to the spectacular and most frightening events
that gather the most media attention," said Global Rescue CEO and
founder Dan Richards. "However, there are less spectacular albeit more
likely events that will negatively affect travel. Certain risks such as
minor injuries, illnesses and car accidents cannot be predicted or fully
preventable. Careful planning and preparation are always recommended
prior to any travel."
The Global Rescue 2018 Travel Safety Survey was conducted January 3
through January 14, 2018. The study is based on a survey of 1,200
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.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180207005110/en/
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