Safety Concerns Shape Solo Traveller Behaviour

While solo travel remains popular and empowering for many, safety remains a top concern — especially when choosing destinations and accommodations. 

That’s a key reveal from the Global Rescue Spring 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.  Global Rescue is a provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.

“Solo travel is on the rise, but so is traveller vigilance,” 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. “Travellers are prioritizing situational awareness and taking concrete steps to protect themselves when they venture out alone.” 

The survey revealed that nearly one in three experienced travellers (33%) have been victims of theft, scams or other crimes while abroad. Despite this, solo travel continues to appeal, with 68% of respondents reporting they usually feel safe travelling alone in most destinations. 

Traveller destination choices are heavily influenced by safety concerns in the area. Nearly half (44%) of respondents said crime levels are a key decision factor when choosing where to travel “almost always” or “most of the time,” while 41% said safety concerns only “sometimes” impact their destination choices. 

“The majority of travellers seriously consider safety issues when deciding where to go. That’s a huge factor in how travel trends are developing, especially for solo adventurers,” Richards said. 

Among solo travellers, safety precautions are wide ranging. The vast majority (90%) say always remaining situationally aware of their surroundings is the leading behaviour for personal safety. Eight out of 10 (77%) respondents say dressing conservatively or modestly to blend in with the destination’s cultural norms is an essential safety practice along with hiring reputable drivers or taxis (62%). Many solo travellers also prioritize lodging with 24-hour security (41%) or hotel elevators with keycard access (28%). 

When it comes to protecting valuables, travellers rely on multiple tactics including using zippered pockets (62%), separating and securing valuables (61%), using RFID-blocking products (49%) and money belts or travel wallets (48%). 

Despite all these efforts, 42% of respondents have avoided certain countries altogether due to safety concerns when travelling alone. The top countries avoided were Mexico, Egypt, Turkey and China. 

“These results underscore how safety not only shapes traveller behavior — it redirects tourism flows around the globe,” Richards explained. “This is a call to action for destinations to enhance infrastructure and invest in solo traveller-friendly experiences that inspire confidence without compromising on culture or adventure.”