The military conflict in Eastern Europe is driving travellers to purchase security service plans that provide emergency evacuation capabilities when individuals are in danger from insurgent attacks, terrorism, civil unrest and natural disasters, according to Global Rescue. Traveller requests for non-medical security evacuation services jumped 31% since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Uncertainty in travel generally results in an increase in traveller demand for emergency medical and security services. Between the war and the pandemic, travellers want medical and emergency response services more than ever,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nobody wants to imagine a security emergency abroad. But, if you’re traveling or working internationally then the possibility of civil unrest, unpredicted natural disaster or terrorism is always present. If you’re near a war zone, the potential spikes for a government-issued declaration to evacuate,” Richards said.
While concern is high for Eastern European countries directly involved in the conflict, it is premature for travellers to cancel international trips including to other countries in the region, such as Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic States.
“War is not a tourist attraction. There are plenty of global destinations with no threat of conflict. Travelers should make those locations their vacation spots,” said Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and manager of security operations for Global Rescue.
“Travelers should obtain emergency travel protection plans that provide evacuation and advisory services, which should be taken advantage of during the planning process,” Bush said. “Being proactive and preparing for the possibility of a security emergency could mean the difference between a safe departure and being trapped in a dangerous situation out of your control,” said Bush, who after serving in the military worked in war torn Yemen between 2011 and 2015.
