by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:55 PM ET, Wed June 17, 2026
Americans are becoming increasingly cautious about where and how they travel as geopolitical tensions around the globe, along with the risks associated with extreme weather, continue to be a major factor.
While seven in ten Americans (70%) plan to travel this summer, these same individuals realize that they are navigating a more uncertain global landscape shaped by climate events, geopolitical tensions, and travel disruptions, according to the latest Global Travel Confidence Index from Allianz Partners, which offers new insights into the decisions of American travelers.
The growing concerns among Americans may be contributing to a more domestically-focused summer travel season compared to travelers from other countries. Just 19% of Americans plan to travel abroad this summer, significantly lower than the global average of 36%, while half (50%) say stricter border controls and travel advisories in other countries are swaying their destination choices.
Younger Americans remain the most willing to travel internationally, with 25% of those under 35 planning trips abroad, while men are more than twice as likely as women to head to Europe this summer (11% vs. 5%).
Women, meanwhile, are significantly more likely than men to skip summer travel altogether (36% vs. 24%), underscoring how safety concerns and global instability may be disproportionately affecting traveler confidence.
"Travelers today are facing a more complex landscape than ever before," said Emily Hartman, General Manager at Allianz Partners. "With risks like severe weather, and disruptions on the rise, travelers are being more thoughtful about planning.”
Highlights from the latest Global Travel Confidence Index findings include:
- Safety and Security: Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) are concerned about the global geopolitical situation, while 62% cite broader safety and security concerns as factors shaping their travel decisions.
As ongoing conflicts in regions such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East continue to dominate headlines, many travelers are becoming more cautious about international trips and reevaluating where they feel comfortable visiting. - Extreme Weather: 68% say they now factor extreme weather risks into destination planning, with nearly half (47%) worried weather-related disruptions could impact their trips.
Americans reconsider destinations amid weather worries
The extreme weather brought about by the worsening effects of climate change is also steadily becoming an important factor in how Americans plan their summer vacations.
More than two-thirds of American travelers surveyed (68%) say they now take environmental risks and extreme weather, including hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, droughts, tornadoes, and heatwaves, into consideration when choosing where to travel.
With travelers continuing to witness severe weather events disrupt destinations across the U.S. and abroad, from record-breaking heat in Europe to hurricane threats along coastal regions and wildfire activity in popular vacation areas, nearly half of those surveyed (47%) say extreme weather conditions are among their top travel concerns this summer.
Younger travelers are leading the shift toward climate-conscious travel planning.Americans under 35 are significantly more likely (78%) than older generations to factor environmental risks into their vacation decisions, while Gen Z (55%) and Millennials (54%) express heightened concern about the risk of extreme weather and the broader climate crisis on their summer travel plans.
The Global Travel Confidence Index results are based on a survey of about 2,000 Americans. The survey was conducted by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Partners.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
