Off-Peak & Lesser-Known: The Top Traveller Resolutions for 2026

There may be ongoing uncertainty in the travel environment, but that’s not stopping avid travellers from seeking new horizons.

Visiting a new country, destination or continent is the top travel resolution for 2026, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, signaling a strong appetite for exploration and global mobility.

Overall, 41% of respondents say their most important 2026 travel resolution is to visit someplace new. That desire is particularly pronounced among women, with 46% citing new destinations as their top priority compared to 40% of men. Non-U.S. travellers are extremely keen on visiting new destinations, at 54% versus 38% of U.S. travellers. 

“Travellers are clearly prioritizing discovery in 2026,” 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. 

“Whether it’s a first-time destination or an entirely new region, that sense of exploration comes with added complexity — and it reinforces why medical, security and evacuation preparedness remain essential.” 

Lesser-Known Destinations Strongly Preferred 

Destination choice further underscores the shift toward exploration. More than half of all respondents, 52%, say they are seeking lesser-known international destinations with fewer crowds in 2026. Only 12% favour well-known destinations with established tourism, while 27% report no strong preference. 

Women overwhelmingly prefer lesser-known destinations, with 63% selecting this option compared to 49% of men. 

“Travellers are pushing beyond traditional hotspots,” Richards said. “That trend increases the importance of having rapid access to medical care, evacuation services and real-time security intelligence — especially in destinations where resources may be limited.” 

Off-Peak Travel Becomes the New Normal 

Travel is about the when as well as the where. A majority of survey respondents — 57% — say they expect to travel internationally during off-peak or ‘hidden’ seasons. That has been a growing trend, but 34% say they are more likely to do so in 2026. 

Women are more inclined toward off-peak travel, with 39% saying they are more likely to travel during hidden seasons, compared to 33% of men. 

“Hidden-season travel offers fewer crowds and often better value, but it can also mean limited infrastructure and reduced local services,” Richards said. “Travellers need to balance opportunity with risk awareness.”