travel tips | MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

*Americans in Paris. Americans may flock around the globe to take advantage of the strong dollar in 2025 but they may not receive a warm welcome © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

(Lebanon, N.H.) – While there may be a surge of Americans traveling abroad to take advantage of the strong dollar, they may not receive the warmest welcome.

The majority of the world’s most experienced travelers expect Americans will be less welcome and perceived more negatively while traveling internationally in 2025 due to recent international policy proposals introduced by the U.S., according to the results of a Global Rescue Snap Survey conducted following President Trump’s address to Congress.

Seven out of ten (72%) surveyed travelers said they expected Americans will be perceived more negatively and less welcome when traveling abroad. Nearly a fifth (16%) reported there would be no difference in how Americans are perceived, 9% didn’t know and 3% said Americans will be perceived more positively.

“The data is clear—travelers are expecting a shift in how they are received abroad,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “This doesn’t mean Americans should cancel their travel plans, but they should be aware of their surroundings, practice cultural sensitivity, and take proactive steps to mitigate potential risks.”

International travel veteran Harding Bush, a former Navy SEAL and associate director of security operations for Global Rescue, advised it’s important to remember that locals may have strong opinions about international policies, but they often distinguish between a country’s government and its citizens. “They know it’s not you that is making the decisions and policies. Be a gracious guest and don’t discuss politics,” he said.

American international travelers can take several measures, all of which are recommended during any international trips, to travel safely and confidently despite growing concerns about their perception overseas. “Americans traveling abroad should be aware there could be an increase in political demonstrations and should obtain security advisory services to keep them informed of anti-American protests,” Bush said.

Maintain a Low Profile: Avoid displaying overt symbols of American nationality, such as clothing with political slogans or nationalistic imagery. Blending in with local customs and attire can help minimize unwanted attention.
- Stay Informed: Travelers should research the political and social climate of their destination before departure. Understanding local attitudes toward the U.S. can help visitors navigate conversations and interactions more smoothly.
- Practice Cultural Awareness: Demonstrating respect for local customs, traditions, and social norms is essential. Learning basic greetings and etiquette in the local language can go a long way in fostering goodwill.
- Use Smart Travel Practices: Keep a low profile in public spaces, avoid discussing sensitive political topics, and be aware of your digital footprint on social media, as online expressions can sometimes lead to confrontations in person.
- Leverage Professional Travel Security Resources: For those visiting high-risk areas or facing increased concerns, working with security professionals and travel risk management firms like Global Rescue can provide invaluable guidance and support.

Despite the concerns highlighted by the survey, Richards emphasized that most international travel remains safe when travelers take the right precautions. “Being prepared and situationally aware is key. By exercising good judgment and respecting local norms, Americans can continue to enjoy safe and enriching travel experiences around the world,” Richards said.

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It’s important to continue to visit such popular, but fragile places as Venice, but you can choose to visit in off-season, visit less trafficked places, walk, bike or take mass transit instead of drive, choose lodging and tour companies that follow sustainable practices © *Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There has been much discussion of late of the negative impacts of over-tourism on communities and the environment. But the travel industry, which offers a lifeline to communities trying to preserve their heritage and environment by providing an economic foundation, is working aggressively to reduce these adverse effects. In addition to introducing sustainable practices in lodging and touring (getting rid of single-use plastic, promoting farm-to-table dining and local services, reducing impacts on water and energy supplies) and transportation (introducing technology to reduce carbon emissions, increase efficiencies), there are other things that travelers can do to travel responsibly:

Investigate your destinations before you travel to see if there is a problem with overtourism.

Consider not visiting a destination suffering from overtourism during the height of its tourism season. Instead, try to travel in shoulder or off seasons when there are fewer visitors.

Or, travel to less popular destinations in Europe that offer many similar experiences and attractions to a bucket list destination. Resist the temptation to go only to the places you see on Instagram – destinations plagued by selfie-takers, who only remain for a few moments to get a photo, are suffering from the negative impacts of congestion but none of the positive impacts of stayover tourism.

Consider traveling with a responsible tour operator. Tour operators like Intrepid Travel and G Adventures have instituted measures to avoid contributing to overtourism, like organizing early entry when visiting popular attractions, taking travelers to less-visited sites within historic cities, and offering alternative hikes and treks that avoid crowded pathways and lead to less-visited sections of ancient sites.

Be responsible about the photos you take. Get permission to take photos of individuals and respect the physical environment when taking photos – do not go off trail/into restricted areas to take photos. Showing restraint in taking photos will allow you to really experience the destination and be respectful of those around you.

If available, use apps or other devices that can track and help to disperse crowds.

Travel on small cruises that are less overwhelming to a destination.

If using Airbnb or another home sharing site, check beforehand to see if they are legal and what the regulations are in that particular destination. Same for Uber, Lyft and other sharing economy car services – are they legal, and if so, are there rules that you should follow?

Try to use accommodations, transport and restaurants that are certified as socially and environmentally responsible and/or are locally owned. Go on the company’s website to check for this and look for certifications or messaging about sustainability.

Use your dollars toward good. Tourists need to be mindful of creating a positive footprint on destinations, rather than a neutral one. Spend on locally owned restaurants, locally made handicrafts, locally owned hotels and donate to social and environmental projects.

Based in Washington, DC, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of tourism. A unique nonprofit organization recognized for its unbiased, academically rigorous, practical research, CREST is also known for its “on the ground” fieldwork applying these findings and analyses. Originally, CREST’s work focused on the role of ecotourism projects in empowering communities and conserving fragile ecosystems through responsible tourism. Over time, it has evolved to examine how all tourism can be more responsibility planned, developed, and managed. CREST has become a leading expert on the full range of tourism models, from small-scale community-based and indigenous tourism to large coastal resort and cruise tourism. Furthermore, its work has also expanded to encompass country-wide responsible tourism master planning and public sector collaboration. In this era of climate change, responsible travel is no longer an option, it is an imperative. Given this reality, CREST remains committed to its original vision of transforming the way the world travels.

More information at www.responsibletravel.org.