Survey Finds Travellers Remain Cautious Despite Israel-Iran Ceasefire

Despite the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, international travellers remain deeply concerned about safety and accessibility in nearby regions — including the Middle East, Mediterranean, and parts of Europe — according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey. 

Nearly 80% of travellers (78%) said they are either “very concerned” (23%) or “somewhat concerned” (55%) about the impact of geopolitical instability on their travel plans through the end of 2025. While the ceasefire may have eased immediate tensions, it has not fully restored traveller confidence. 

So far, only 6% of travellers have canceled or changed plans, but 12% are delaying decisions until regional conditions stabilize further. A significant 42% are actively avoiding specific countries, while 40% are watching the situation closely and may adjust plans depending on how events develop. 

“Even after a ceasefire, the impact on traveler psychology lingers,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “People are weighing risk more carefully, and safety continues to drive travel decisions.” 

Gender Gap in Traveller Caution

The survey revealed notable differences between male and female travellers regarding perceptions of safety. 

More than one-third of women (35%) report being “very concerned” about regional safety — nearly double the percentage of men (19%). Over half of women (52%) say they are actively avoiding specific countries, compared to 39% of men. 

Women are also more likely to delay travel decisions, with 16% indicating they are waiting to see how the situation develops versus 11% of men. Meanwhile, men are more than twice as likely to report no concern at all regarding regional safety (22% vs. 9%). 

“Ceasefires help reduce immediate risk, but they don’t erase long-standing safety perceptions,” Richards said. “Women, in particular, remain highly aware of how geopolitical instability can affect their safety abroad.” 

Caution is Global

Travellers across the globe are similarly cautious, regardless of nationality. Among U.S. travellers, 23% report being “very concerned” and 56% “somewhat concerned” about travel risks in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe for the rest of 2025. The sentiment is nearly identical among non-U.S. travellers, with 23% “very concerned” and 55% “somewhat concerned.” 

When it comes to avoiding destinations, 43% of Americans say they are steering clear of specific countries, compared to 38% of non-U.S. travellers. Non-U.S. travellers are slightly more likely to say the conflict does not influence their destination choices (15%) compared to U.S. travellers (11%). “Even in periods of calm, travellers are taking a measured approach,” Richards added. “They understand that the return to normal travel conditions often lags behind political developments.”