by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:10 PM ET, Thu October 15, 2026
Some of us have anxiety about flying; others have anxiety about visiting far-flung places, and according to a new report from Phocuswright, a growing number of travelers have “booking anxiety.”
U.S. travelers have the highest anxiety of those surveyed, with 33% being extremely or very anxious about booking international travel and 28% being extremely or very anxious about purchasing event tickets, according to the report, which is based on a survey of travelers conducted in May.
European travelers, meanwhile, have less anxiety overall, with travel booking anxiety hovering around 15% in the U.K., 14% in France and 7% in Germany.
What’s more, that anxiety is reshaping how consumers shop, book, and assess travel and events.
Travelers are taking a variety of approaches to address their unease. Some counter it by purchasing travel insurance. Others spend more time researching before committing to a booking, and still others opt for refundable bookings. Travelers, however, overwhelmingly reject lowest-price and non-refundable options.
“Knowing that a full refund is available if plans fall through is the top confidence booster in every market,” says the report.
The type of refund available also matters to travelers. U.S. and European travelers prefer paying a higher price if it means they’ll have access to a full refund.
Refund protection also carries a measurable upside for booking platforms, increasing the traveler’s likelihood of using the same platform again in the U.S. (57%).
Globetrotters are also coping with their anxiety by avoiding certain destinations or events and waiting until closer to their travel date to even make a booking.
What’s driving the anxiety?
In many cases, traveler anxiety stems from a previous travel experience gone wrong. According to Phocuswright, at least 45% of U.S. and European travelers had a travel or event disruption in the past 12 months.
Financial and practical concerns are also triggering traveler anxiety. They’re worried about losing money if plans change, as well as political instability and safety while traveling. Natural disasters and weather are also weighing heavily on travelers' minds.
And in a totally understandable revelation from the report, traveler anxiety ‘peaks’ at the moment of booking and payment. (Raising hand).
According to the report, travel brands should take note and find ways to reassure consumers. That could include surfacing cancellation terms and making the information very visible, along with refund eligibility and protection options. Making all of this information visible before payment can be helpful.
In addition, brands might consider using “simple language that explains what is covered, how refunds work an dhow easy the claims process is,” the report says.
Commissioned by Protect Group, the report is based on online surveys that were conducted in May among travelers in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, China and Japan who are aged 18 or over, play an active role in planning their leisure trips and travel internationally regularly.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
