by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:00 AM ET, Mon May 26, 2025
A recent Global Rescue survey found that American travelers increasingly expect to be perceived negatively while traveling abroad this year, so we asked our travel advisor community if they've experienced the same concerns among their own clients.?
The Spring 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey asked 1,100 current or previous Global Rescue members their sentiments this past April.?
Of these, 72 percent acknowledged their fear of anti-American sentiment due to recent US policy proposals and geopolitical shifts, such as President Trump repeatedly making claims about annexing sovereign nations.?
Forty-six percent of those noted they feared experiencing anti-American sentiment in China; 32 percent said Mexico and 25 percent said Canada.?
※This is a clear signal that travelers are attuned to the ripple effects of international policy,§ said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member at the US Department of Commerce. ※When more than 70% of respondents express concern about being viewed more negatively while abroad, that＊s not just a diplomatic issue〞it＊s a traveler safety and experience issue.§?
Are Travel Advisors Noticing This New Worry?
But what are travel advisors noticing? Is there a greater fear that American travelers might be disliked the next time they travel abroad? Or is it simply business as usual??
We did a little poll ourselves, asking travel advisors if they＊ve received questions about anti-American sentiment or if their clients expressed any fears about traveling due to the current geopolitical climate.?
We had fourteen advisors respond to our request. Their responses were exactly even: seven haven＊t had clients express this to them, while the other seven had.
Those who didn＊t have their clients express this concern reported that travel was booming〞especially international travel〞and that their clients weren＊t worried about traveling internationally at all.?
※While travelers are certainly more globally aware, I haven＊t seen this concern significantly impact travel decisions,§ explained Autumn Trussell-Murray, Travel Advisor/Franchise Owner. ※In fact, many of my clients are more eager than ever to get out and experience the world again. If anything, I think we＊re seeing a shift toward more intentional, respectful travel〞and that＊s encouraging.§
Travelers are Expressing Fears About Traveling Abroad Due to Politics
Yet half of the travel advisors had these kinds of concerns and questions brought up to them.?
What are travelers most concerned about??
Most of these questions were about anti-American sentiment and increased border security measures upon returning to the United States〞which has led to families being detained by customs officials for hours and interrogated.?
※I have had many clients come to me concerned about their upcoming trips,§ explained Heather Grodin, VTA, CTA, ACC, Travel Planner Affiliated with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel. ※I specialize in custom Europe FIT travel and so many of my clients are worried about how they are going to be perceived and if it's safe for them to travel this year. They are concerned the rest of the world no longer appreciates Americans and are afraid they are not going to be received well in Europe due to the rhetoric of the government, tariffs, etc...§
※I've also had clients that are residents of Canada coming to the US for their annual vacation that have canceled due to the administration wanting to annex Canada, so I've seen some downturn in that arena as well.§
Travelers are also, perhaps for the first time, expressing concerns to their advisors about returning to the United States from abroad. Those with legal residence and U.S. citizenship have both experienced increased scrutiny by border officials in the months following Trump＊s inauguration.?
※In my experience, a majority of my American-born clients are not overly concerned with anti-American sentiment abroad＃ However, I＊ve found a different pattern among some of my immigrant and multi-generational immigrant clients,§ said Katie Lynn Reynolds, Lead Agency Destination Wedding Coordinator. ※While many of them are also legal U.S. citizens or permanent residents, there is a newfound fear around international travel〞not because of what might happen abroad, but due to concerns about reentry into the United States.§
※It's a reminder that while travel trends may show strong outbound movement from the U.S., the lived experiences and comfort levels of travelers can vary greatly depending on their background and legal journey,§ she said. ※As a travel advisor, I do my best to listen empathetically, provide clear information, and ensure all travelers feel supported and well-prepared, especially when navigating these very real and personal concerns.§
Should Travelers Be Concerned About Anti-American Sentiment?
While it＊s clear some Americans are worried about experiencing some form of negative interaction due to the current geopolitical climate while abroad, it＊s more than likely that this fear isn＊t rooted in anything concrete.?
There＊s even some proof that Americans needn＊t be as concerned about it as they are.?
Tammy Levent, President of Elite Travel Management & Founder of TASK, explains her own experiences while traveling abroad: ※Since President Trump took office, I＊ve personally traveled to Germany, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Thailand, and Mexico. In every destination, the general sentiment I＊ve encountered has not been one of hostility or resentment, but rather curiosity, empathy, and concern.§
※In fact, the most common reaction I receive from locals is a combination of sympathy and sincere interest in how Americans are coping〞both economically and socially. Many have even expressed feeling sorry for us, rather than directing anger or judgment toward us as individuals.§
※What＊s even more telling is that while there＊s often disapproval of American political leadership, it rarely translates to disdain for American citizens. People abroad seem to distinguish between government policy and the people themselves. If anything, they are more hesitant to visit the U.S. due to concerns about their own safety and perception〞not the other way around.§
※So from my vantage point as a travel leader, the notion that anti-American sentiment is escalating globally toward travelers doesn＊t align with the reality on the ground. If anything, we are met with open arms, thoughtful conversations, and a shared sense of global uncertainty.§
While Americans continue to desire traveling abroad this year at rates that outpace the domestic travel demand, it＊s unlikely too many will choose to forgo their international trips outright due to this growing fear.?
It＊s important to do your research and ask a professional for guidance if you have any concerns about the travel process or what you may experience while traveling to a specific part of the world. While the perception of anti-American sentiment might be growing, the reality seems far from the fear.?
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