Travelers are bracing for rising costs and rethinking their plans in response to recent US policy developments and economic uncertainties, according to the Spring 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey conducted by Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.
The survey reveals that 83% of the world’s most experienced travelers expect travel costs to rise due to recent US policy initiatives, with nearly half (47%) saying travel costs will “definitely” increase and another 36% responding “probably.”
“Travelers are clearly feeling the impact of evolving US policies,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “From anticipated cost hikes to shifting itineraries and delayed plans, US policy and economic signals are shaping traveler behavior and decisions for the rest of 2025.”
Economic uncertainty is also factoring into decisions—but not necessarily stopping travel. Nearly 65% of respondents said they have not canceled or postponed an international trip due to concerns about a possible recession. Similarly, 31% have not altered domestic travel plans, despite headlines warning of economic slowdown.
“There’s a degree of resilience in today’s traveler,” Richards added. “People may be modifying their destinations or delaying departures, but they are still prioritizing travel, especially internationally.”
According to the survey, more than half of travelers (55%) are changing which countries they visit and 34% are postponing international travel altogether due to international policy shifts. About one in four (24%) say they are not traveling internationally in 2025, while a slight but notable 5% opt out of domestic travel.
“With nearly half of travelers altering their destinations in response to US international policies, the ripple effects of government decisions are clear,” Richards said. “As a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, I see the need for balanced policy approaches that support international trade and diplomacy without inadvertently deterring global mobility or discouraging tourism.”
